University of Nebraska Medical Center

The University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Nursing, established in 1917, is a trailblazer in nursing education and practice. Through hands-on experience and innovative research, students are equipped with the skills to thrive in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. UNMC's diverse programs and commitment to teaching excellence make it a standout choice for aspiring healthcare professionals. With satellite campuses in Scottsbluff, Kearney, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Omaha, students have a range of options to tailor their educational experience.

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Omaha, Nebraska

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School Ranking: B+
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University of Nebraska Medical Center is a public and non-profit State Institution. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including Accelerated BSN, BSN, BSN to PhD, CNL, CNS, DNP, Entry Level BSN, MSN, MSN to PhD, MSN to DNP, NP, Other, PhD, Post Grad Certificate, Post Grad Certificate, and RN to BSN degrees. Programs are accredited by the ACEN and CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Student Demographics

  • 25 Average Age
  • 13% Men
  • 87% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 92% White
  • 5% Hispanic
  • 2% Black
  • 1% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • $24,987 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $27,533 In-State Graduate Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is a public institution that was founded in 1869.

In 1917, the first class at the College of Nursing was started. UNMC CON is a role model for the progression of nursing in the nation as well as internationally. The school is recognized for its research for education and practice as well as focusing on teaching excellence in nursing care.

There are satellite campuses available for students to choose from located in Scottsbluff, Kearney, Norfolk, Lincoln and Omaha.

Academic Nursing Programs

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Traditional
  • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN to BSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  • Post Master's Certificate
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Undergraduate Programs

Traditional BSN

The program has a curriculum based on liberal arts and science, as well as nursing. Together, these programs meet the requirement of 120 credit hours for graduation.

There are a total of 58 credits needed before students start the nursing program itself. The prerequisite courses are not offered by the UNMC College of Nursing. Students are recommended to take the courses through the University of Nebraska (on campus or online/distance) or from any accredited community college and/or 4-year college or university.

Accelerated BSN

The program is for those who hold a bachelor's degree in another field and ready to take on an intense 12-month nursing program. Class sizes are limited and competitive. The Accelerated BSN program is only offered on Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney and Scottsbluff campuses. This program only admits students in January. Transfer credits from a previous bachelor's is accepted. Most of the coursework may have been completed for prerequisite classes, but students must have the required courses complete to receive 58 credits.

Once prerequisites are completed, the Accelerated BSN is a full-time, one-year program. The required clinical trainings will be in the evenings and/or weekends.  

RN to BSN

The RN to BSN Program is designed for current registered nurses (RNs) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Diploma in Nursing. The program is online. Although the curriculum is based online, there may be live time specific classes. Otherwise, the courses are available on demand and anytime. Admissions are done once a year in January, May and August, and students can complete the degree within 1-3 years, depending on course load.

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Students may choose to advance their BSN to an MSN through any of these specialties:

  • Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
  • Nurse Educator (NE)
  • Nurse Leader/Executive
  • Path to Doctoral Researcher/Educator/Administrator

Specialty Tracks

  • Adult-Gerontology CNS / Acute Care NP / Primary Care NP
  • Family NP
  • Nurse Leader/Executive
  • Pediatric Primary Care NP
  • Psychiatric Mental Health NP
  • Women's Health NP

All specialty tracks have the option to be combined with the Nurse Educator track. The curriculum is provided via online courses, including synchronous and asynchronous classes. Clinical and research projects may be done in the student's hometown with local preceptors. Students in the MSN program have the option to do a part time or full time option.

Post Master's Certificate

  • Adult Gerontology CNS / Acute Care NP / Primary Care NP
  • Family NP
  • Psychiatric Mental Health NP
  • Nurse Leader/Executive
  • Pediatric NP
  • Psychiatric Nursing
  • Women's Health NP

MSN Admission (not all inclusive)

  • BSN degree from program accredited by CCNE or NLNAC
  • Cumulative GPA 3.0 or above
  • Nursing research course
  • Health assessment course/equivalent; not required for Nurse Leader Executive track
  • 3 letters of reference
  • Personal statement
  • Current RN licensure

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Post-master's DNP

  • Full or part-time options
  • Approximately 500 practice hours
  • Required 35 postmaster's credit hours
  • Total of 9 courses in College of Nursing and College of Public Health

BSN to DNP

Complete DNP system courses (35 credit hours) as well as a clinical specialty, which include:

  • Adult-Gerontology NP
  • Family NP
  • Pediatrics Primary Care NP
  • Women's Health NP
  • Psychiatric Mental Health NP
  • Nurse Leader/Executive

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Part-time students finish their degree in 4 to 5 years. Full-time students complete the program within in 3 to 4 years. Full-time Fast Track BSN to PhD can finish in 4 to 5 years, but this route is intense. The classes are asynchronized and synchronized. Asynchronized includes times that classes don't meet, whereas synchronized is when all the class members meet at the same time, via the web. No PhD in Nursing courses are offered as self-guided, distance only courses.

In this program, an MSN is not conferred because the program does not provide enough credit hours for an MSN, which is why it is shorter in duration to a PhD. The program includes courses in a clinical specialty of the student's choosing and prepares the graduate to teach and perform research in that area.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2018-2019)

  • #67 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice (tie)
  • #64 in Best Nursing Schools: Master's (tie)
  • #58 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs

NICHE (2019)

  • Most Conservative Colleges in America #140
  • Best College Locations in America #182
  • Safest College Campuses in America #494
  • Most Conservative Colleges in Nebraska #2
  • Best College Locations in Nebraska #4
  • Safest College Campuses in Nebraska #6

BestMedicalDegrees ranked the UNMC College of Nursing's online adult/gerontology advanced practice graduate program as seventh among the top 30 nursing gerontology degree programs offering the best value to students.

US News & World Report has ranked the UNMC College of Nursing in the top 8% of graduate programs.

Accreditation and Approval

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the bachelor's, master's, and doctor of nursing practice degree programs.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The bachelor's degree program is approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing,

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