Nurse Practitioner Programs in Nebraska 2026
Nebraska has four accredited NP programs at the MSN and DNP level, offered by Creighton University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Clarkson College, and Nebraska Methodist College. All programs require at least 500 supervised clinical hours. After graduation, Nebraska NPs complete a 2,000-hour transition-to-practice period before practicing without physician oversight.
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Nebraska’s NP programs train nurses for independent practice in a state that removed mandatory ongoing physician oversight in 2015. That legislative change made Nebraska one of the earlier full practice authority states, which matters most for NPs planning to work in rural or underserved areas. Four in-state programs cover the major NP specialties at both the MSN and DNP levels. Out-of-state online programs are also an option, provided students can arrange clinical placements in Nebraska.
Use the links below to jump to program listings, specialty track options, education requirements, and salary and job outlook data for Nebraska nurse practitioners.
- NP programs in Nebraska
- Specialty tracks available
- Education and admission requirements
- Transition to practice
- NP salary and job outlook in Nebraska
NP Programs in Nebraska
Nebraska has three CCNE-accredited NP programs and one accredited by the ACEN. Programs span MSN, post-master’s certificate, and DNP levels, with several specialty concentrations available through more than one school.
Creighton University offers MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and MSN-to-DNP tracks across multiple NP specialties. Students can pursue an optional cardiology or oncology sub-specialization on some tracks. CCNE accreditation applies to the DNP programs.
University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) offers multiple NP tracks at the MSN level. Its primary clinical partner holds Magnet status, and UNMC maintains clinical placement relationships across the state. The program has received grant funding specifically for training NPs in rural and underserved areas.
Clarkson College offers Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, and Psychiatric-Mental Health NP programs online. The ACEN-accredited program has historically placed emphasis on research alongside clinical preparation.
Nebraska Methodist College offers CCNE-accredited online programs in adult-gerontology and family nurse practitioner tracks. Its BSN-to-DNP FNP track is 75 credits with 1,080 required clinical hours and does not require a GRE for admission.
Nebraska also has two in-state options for the combined Pediatric Primary and Acute Care dual NP degree, and at least one in-state neonatal nurse practitioner program. The neonatal specialty has limited availability nationally, so the in-state option is worth noting for nurses targeting NICU practice.
Specialty Tracks Available in Nebraska
Nebraska’s in-state programs cover the most commonly pursued NP specialties plus a few with limited national availability. Family nurse practitioner is the most widely offered track, and all four schools have some form of FNP option. Nurses targeting more specialized roles have fewer in-state choices but can complete programs through out-of-state universities while doing clinical hours in Nebraska.
Specialty tracks currently available through Nebraska’s in-state programs include:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP)
- Pediatric Primary Care NP
- Pediatric Acute Care NP
- Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Dual NP
- Women’s Health NP
- Neonatal NP (DNP level)
Nebraska licensure as an APRN-NP requires national certification that matches both your graduate program and your population focus. Accepted certifying bodies include AANPCB, ANCC, NCC, and PNCB, among others. The specific certifying body depends on the specialty.
Education and Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements and Curriculum
Nebraska requires completion of an accredited graduate NP program at the master’s level or higher. Post-master’s certificate programs are available for nurses who already hold an MSN and want to add a new specialty. State code specifies that programs must include biological, health, and behavioral sciences specific to the clinical area, as well as discrete coursework in pharmacology, assessment, and physiology. A minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in the student’s population focus is required.
MSN programs typically require fewer than 50 semester hours beyond the BSN. DNP programs run 70 or more credit hours, depending on entry point. Nebraska Methodist College’s BSN-to-DNP FNP program is 75 credits with 1,080 clinical hours, which exceeds the state minimum and reflects a wider expectation in the field, even though it isn’t mandated.
Applicants must hold an active RN license. Most master’s-entry programs require a BSN. DNP programs may accept BSN or MSN applicants, depending on the track. GPA requirements, letters of recommendation, and work experience expectations vary by school. The GRE has been waived at several programs, including Creighton and Nebraska Methodist College.
Online and Hybrid Program Options
Three of Nebraska’s four in-state NP programs deliver didactic coursework primarily online. Clarkson College and Nebraska Methodist College are both fully online for coursework. UNMC and Creighton use hybrid models with some on-campus requirements that vary by track and enrollment period.
Online delivery doesn’t remove all in-person requirements. All programs include supervised clinical hours that students arrange with preceptors in their area. Nurses in out-of-state online programs can do those clinical hours in Nebraska, though securing placements independently takes planning. Checking a program’s state authorization list before applying confirms it’s approved for Nebraska residents.
Transition to Practice in Nebraska
Nebraska requires newly graduated NPs to complete 2,000 hours of practice under a transition-to-practice (TTP) agreement before practicing independently. This applies to NPs who haven’t yet accumulated 2,000 practice hours in their NP role, whether in Nebraska or another state. Nebraska Revised Statute 38-2317 specifies that those hours can be completed under a TTP agreement, a collaborative agreement, an integrated practice agreement, through independent practice, or through a combination of these arrangements.
The TTP agreement is a short-term requirement, not an ongoing one. Once the 2,000 hours are complete, Nebraska NPs can practice without any physician agreement. That’s the practical result of LB107, the 2015 legislation that replaced the mandatory integrated practice agreement with the transition-to-practice model. For NPs in rural or medically underserved areas, the ability to operate without ongoing physician oversight makes solo practice more viable.
Nebraska’s approach to that legislation became a reference point for other states working on similar bills. State leaders framed the argument around outcome data rather than credential comparisons, which shifted the terms of the debate in ways that proved replicable elsewhere.
For full details on APRN licensing requirements, the application process, and renewal, see the Nebraska nurse practitioner licensing requirements page.
NP Salary and Job Outlook in Nebraska
Nebraska nurse practitioners earned a median annual wage of $132,130 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s just below the national NP median of $132,300. Wages vary by metro area: NPs in the Omaha area had a median of $133,760, while Lincoln-area NPs earned a median of $124,440.
| Area | Median Annual Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska (statewide) | $132,130 | 2,340 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $133,760 | 1,380 |
| Lincoln, NE | $124,440 | 320 |
| National | $132,300 | 323,040 |
Projections Central estimates 35.8% employment growth for Nebraska NPs between 2022 and 2032, from 1,790 to approximately 2,430 positions, with an average of 160 job openings per year. Nebraska’s APRN workforce has faced documented shortages, with the Northeast, Central, Omaha, and Lincoln regions historically identified as the most affected. Rural areas, where full practice authority has the most direct effect on care access, continue to draw NPs who prefer to practice with more autonomy.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements for NP programs in Nebraska?
Most programs require an active RN license and a BSN for master’s-level entry. DNP programs may accept BSN or MSN applicants, depending on the track. Specific requirements vary by school, including GPA minimums, letters of recommendation, and clinical work experience. The GRE has been waived at several programs, including Creighton and Nebraska Methodist College.
Can I complete an NP program online in Nebraska?
Yes. Clarkson College and Nebraska Methodist College both deliver coursework fully online. UNMC and Creighton use hybrid models with some campus requirements. Out-of-state online programs are also an option. Students can complete clinical hours in Nebraska, but should verify the program holds state authorization for Nebraska residents before enrolling.
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Nebraska?
MSN programs typically take two to three years beyond the BSN, depending on course load and specialty. BSN-to-DNP programs generally run three to four years full-time. After graduation, Nebraska requires a 2,000-hour transition-to-practice period before independent practice is permitted, which typically adds one to two years depending on how many hours per week the NP works.
Do Nebraska nurse practitioners need a physician collaboration agreement?
Only during the initial transition-to-practice period. New NPs must complete 2,000 practice hours under a TTP arrangement. Once those hours are documented, no ongoing physician agreement is required. Nebraska replaced its mandatory integrated practice agreement requirement through LB107 in 2015.
What NP specialties are available in Nebraska?
Nebraska’s in-state programs collectively offer FNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PMHNP, pediatric primary care NP, pediatric acute care NP, dual pediatric primary and acute care NP, women’s health NP, and neonatal NP tracks. Family NP and adult-gerontology tracks are the most widely available. Neonatal and dual pediatric tracks are less common nationally. Nebraska has in-state options for both.
Key Takeaways
- Four accredited in-state programs — Creighton, UNMC, Clarkson College, and Nebraska Methodist College offer NP tracks at the MSN and DNP levels, covering most major specialties.
- Full practice authority after TTP — Nebraska NPs complete 2,000 transition hours after graduation and can then practice independently without any physician agreement.
- Online options are available — Two programs are fully online for didactic coursework. Two use hybrid delivery. Out-of-state programs with Nebraska clinical placements are also an option.
- Median salary of $132,130 — Nebraska NPs earned a median annual wage of $132,130 as of May 2025, roughly in line with the national NP median of $132,300, according to the BLS.
- Strong projected job growth — Projections Central estimates 35.8% NP employment growth in Nebraska from 2022 to 2032, with an average of 160 job openings per year.
Use the tool below to find accredited NP programs in Nebraska and nearby states, compare degree options, and connect with program advisors.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.