Graduate students who are looking for Master’s in Nursing degree programs in Nebraska may be surprised by the large number of selections available. With its position in the Great Plains of the Midwestern region as the 16th largest and 37th most populous state in the United States, Nebraska is often most associated with its historic trails, violent tornadoes, treeless prairies, cattle grazing, and major corn production. While Nebraska is home to many beautiful landscapes at Scotts Bluff National Monument, Wildcat Hills Panorama Point, Missouri River, Oglala National Grassland, and the world-famous Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, it is also home to some of the top-ranked universities in the Midwest offering nursing programs.
As the Nebraska Center for Nursing indicates that there is currently a critical shortage of qualified professional nurses in the state, it is clear that the “Cornhusker State” may be the perfect location for individuals seeking plentiful nursing career opportunities in the beautiful Midwest. Depending on specific career interests in advanced practice nursing, the six top-notch universities in Nebraska offer numerous areas of specializations to receive in-depth training in a specific specialty area in the diverse nursing profession. Whether you are a native Cornhusker or are considering moving to the state, the following are the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs that have been fully accredited for excellence in Nebraska.
Bryan College of Health Sciences
School of Nurse Anesthesia
In partnership with Bryan Medical Center as one of the most renowned healthcare organizations in the Midwestern region, Bryan College of Health Sciences is a private non-profit institutions dedicated to healthcare education in the state’s capital city of Lincoln. With a Center for Excellence in Clinical Simulation, Bryan College provides degree programs in nursing, nurse anesthesia, biomedical sciences, sonography, and other allied healthcare studies. The School of Nurse Anesthesia is particularly committed to provide graduates with an advanced scientific knowledge base and clinical skills that hallmark high standards of anesthesia practice.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia – As a 33-month 75-credit program for registered nurses that is built on a strong foundation in science to foster the knowledge and skills needed to thrive within this rigorous healthcare profession, the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia is focused on hands-on education that provides the opportunity to complete extensive clinical practicum experiences and two rotations in local community hospitals.
Accreditation
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (CANAEP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
5035 Everett St.
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 481-3801
[email protected]
http://www.bryanhealth.com/NurseAnesthesia
Clarkson College
Department of Nursing
As a proud educational partner with the Nebraska Medical Center that stands as one of the most respected hospitals in the Midwest, Clarkson College is an accredited private non-profit institution that has a long history of delivering outstanding healthcare education for nearly 125 years. With its strategic position on a two-acre urban campus in the heart of downtown Omaha, Clarkson fulfills the professional healthcare needs of over 1,100 students on-campus and online. The Department of Nursing is acclaimed for having the 193rd best graduate nursing school and 22nd best online graduate nursing programs in the United States.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) – Designed to prepare advanced practice nurses who promote the health of citizens in adult primary care settings through an emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, and the diagnosis of acute or chronic illnesses, the 45-credit Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) program can be completed online with minimal on-campus weekend seminars for specific clinical practice courses.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – With the goal of educating registered nurses who desire preparation in advanced practice nursing to fulfill the leadership role of promoting the healthy well-being of individuals across the lifespan in family practice settings, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program track consists of at least 47 credits focused on evidence-based concepts relevant to today’s ever-evolving primary healthcare system.
MSN Nurse Anesthesia – Ideal for nurses who wish to deliver anesthesia in hospital surgical suites, delivery rooms, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, dentist offices, pain management specialist facilities, and plastic surgeon offices, the Nurse Anesthesia track involves a rigorous 75-credit plan on-campus with five intensive clinical anesthesia practicum experiences in local area hospitals.
MSN Nursing Education (NE) – Requiring the completion of at least 36 total credit hours in topics on learning theories, curriculum development, evaluation strategies, health assessment, pharmacology, teaching strategies, and nursing education practicum, the Nursing Education (NE) track is designed for registered nurses who desire advanced preparation for developing, administering, and evaluating nursing education problems in health-related settings.
MSN Nursing Healthcare Administration – Intended to prepare registered nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to assume leadership positions in patient care delivery systems within contemporary healthcare contexts, the Nursing Healthcare Administration track consists of at least 42 credits with a seamless blend of business and nursing courses to produce the nation’s next generation of healthcare leaders.
Accreditation
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
101 South 42nd St.
Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 552-3100
[email protected]
http://www.clarksoncollege.edu/academics/nursing/masterofscienceinnursing/
Creighton University
College of Nursing
First established in 1878 within the thriving metropolis of Omaha, Creighton University is a comprehensive private liberal arts institution with a strong commitment to Catholic and Jesuit ideals. Home to more than 7,700 students, Creighton is currently ranked as the 1st best college and 1st top value school in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the College of Nursing has been nationally acclaimed for having the 64th best graduating nursing degree programs in the entire United States.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) – With the mission of preparing clinical experts who are able to effectively provide quality care to acutely or critically ill patients in hospital settings, the Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) program track is focused on providing both physical and psychological care to restore maximum health with the accumulation of 46 credit hours as well as 720 supervised clinical hours.
MSN Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS) – Structured to prepare graduates to practice as expert practitioners in the specialized area of nursing with expanded authority and autonomy in adult health, the Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS) track requires the completion of at least 45 credit hours of coursework in care management, practical ethics, advanced health assessment, health promotion, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and field practicum.
MSN Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) – As a 49-credit master’s program that can be completed in five semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time with at least 675 hours of directly supervised clinical practice, the Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) track is offered to registered nurses who are seeking the advanced clinical competencies needed to deliver care in adult primary care settings.
MSN Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) – Intended to prepare registered nurses to be advanced generalists who oversee the coordination of patient care and actively provide direct patient care in complex situations, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) track consists of 37 credit hours and 500 hours of clinical practice to foster the essential skills needed to thrive in today’s current healthcare system while improving client outcomes.
MSN Clinical Systems Administration (CSA) – Designed to prepare nurses at the graduate level to function effectively at executive levels of healthcare administration as innovative leaders within today’s changing medical environments, the Clinical Systems Administration (CSA) track consists of 46 credit hours in the advanced knowledge of organizational leadership, systems management, relationship management, nursing science, and information technology.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – For registered nurses who wish to receive the advanced education needed to deliver primary healthcare to people of all ages as part of a collaborative medical team, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track consists of 48 credit hours and 675 clock hours of clinical practice focused on culturally competent community-based primary healthcare from birth to death.
MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) – Requiring the completion of at least 43 credit hours and 675 clock hours of directly supervised clinical practice within five months full-time, the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program track is designed to provide the specialty knowledge in high-risk neonatal care to prepare registered nurses for working with newborns in level III Neonatal Intensive Care Units.
MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS) – Available for registered nurses who have already earned a BSN degree and have a valid RN license, the Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS) track consists of 50 credit hours and 675 clock hours of supervised field practice in preparation for becoming a clinical expert in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care standards for children across the health continuum.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
(402) 280-2067
[email protected]
https://gradschool.creighton.edu/programs/masters-degrees/nursing/nursing-msn
Nebraska Methodist College
School of Nursing
Based on a seven-acre urban campus in the heart of downtown Omaha with a caring close-knit community of just over 1,000 students, Nebraska Methodist College is affiliated with the Methodist Health System as a premier private non-profit Christian institution devoted to the health professions. Since being founded in 1891 with a holistic culture of caring, NMC has grown to offer 22 undergraduate and graduate degree programs ranging from nursing and healthcare administration to radiologic technology and respiratory care. The School of Nursing is particularly high regarded as the 234th best nursing school with the 86th best online graduate nursing degree programs in the United States.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Nurse Educator – With an innovative online program specifically designed for busy registered nurses who have a passion for the nursing profession and teaching, the Nurse Educator program track addresses the critical shortage of nurses in today’s healthcare environment by producing competent nursing faculty members to teach tomorrow’s future professional nurses. Along with 36 credit hours of advanced coursework, students are given the opportunity to gain hands-on teaching experience through practicum and projects.
MSN Nurse Executive – As an online graduate program that can be completed in less than 24 months in a flexible format for working professional learners, the Nurse Executive track consists of 36 credit hours to build advanced business skills in finance, human resources, economics, accounting, organizational behavior, management, strategic planning, and ethics to ensure all graduates are well-prepared for assuming senior management positions in healthcare systems.
RN to MSN Program – For registered nurses who have already achieved a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing for licensure without completing a bachelor’s degree, the RN to MSN degree program can be completed online in less than 36 months in a flexible format that enables busy registered nurses to balance educational goals with professional obligations. Registered nurses have the option of pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in either the Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive tracks as well.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
720 North 87th St.
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 354-7105
[email protected]
http://www.methodistcollege.edu/nursing/master-of-science-in-nursing
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Wesleyan Advantage Adult Programs
With a reputation for being among the strongest comprehensive private liberal arts institutions in the Midwest within an environment of Christian concern, Nebraska Wesleyan University is based in the Great Plains’ greatest college town of Lincoln with a satellite location in Omaha. Home to roughly 1,750 students in a broad curriculum geared towards experiential learning, NWU is currently ranked as the 146th best national liberal arts college in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. The Wesleyan Advantage is also recognized for having the 193rd best graduate nursing degree programs for advanced practice nursing.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Nurse as Leader, Manager, and Entrepreneur – Available for registered nurses as well as baccalaureate-prepared nurses who are interested in becoming a healthcare leader by providing direct patient care and leading at the point of care, the Nurse as Leader, Manager, and Entrepreneur program track is focused on preparing students with the advanced knowledge they will need to serve as a nursing administrator in today’s changing health delivery systems with a specific emphasis on trans-cultural nursing ethics.
MSN Nurse Educator (NE) – As a part-time two-year program that requires the completion of 40 credit hours of advanced practice nursing coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, the Nurse Educator (NE) program track has been designed to provide professional nurses with the valuable knowledge and clinical skills needed to effectively serve as an educator in a variety of education settings, including at universities and staff development in hospitals.
Accreditation
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
5000 Saint Paul Avenue
Lincoln, NE 68504
(402) 465-2330
[email protected]
https://www.nebrwesleyan.edu/academics/graduate-programs/master-science-nursing/master-science-nursing
University of Nebraska Medical Center
College of Nursing
Established in 1880 as the only public academic and research health sciences center in the state with a national recognition for excellence in professional medical education, the University of Nebraska Medical Center is based in Omaha with satellite locations from border to border in Lincoln, Norfolk, Kearney, and Scottsbluff. As a premier academic health complex with more than 3,000 students, UNMC is recognized for being the 6th best primary care medical school in the United States. Even more importantly, the College of Nursing is renowned for having the 36th best graduate nursing degree programs in the country.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) – Ideal for baccalaureate-prepared nurses who aim to provide advanced nursing care to adults with critical condition with specialized care, continuous monitoring, intricate invasive therapies, and interpretation of diagnostic testing, the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program track requires the completion of at least 47 credits in six semesters full-time.
MSN Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS) – Intended to prepare registered nurses with acute and/or critical care experience to provide direct patient management in complex healthcare settings with patients from adolescence through late adulthood, the Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS) track consists of 47 credit hours full or part-time to ensure graduates can effectively integrate evidence-based practice for alleviating patient and family suffering.
MSN Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) – With the mission of preparing advanced practice nurses to manage adult health and common acute or chronic illnesses with a particular emphasis on culturally diverse at-risk populations, the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) contains 47 credit hours to fulfill all educational requirements needed for licensure in primary healthcare settings.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – As a three-year full-time or four-year part-time program that requires the satisfactory completion of at least 48 credit hours in topics on statistics, leadership, health systems innovation, pathophysiology, applied pharmacology, advanced assessment, and health promotion, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is structured to prepare professional primary healthcare providers for providing care across the lifespan.
MSN Nurse Educator – Since our nation cannot train and retain competent professional nurses without first guaranteeing significant numbers of qualified instructors to teach the next generation of registered nurses, the Nurse Educator track is designed to prepare nurses for assuming the role of nursing faculty member on university campuses and in clinical settings.
MSN Nurse Leader Executive – Following a two-year full-time format of 41 credit hours in organizational improvement, healthcare system policy, health promotion, health systems innovation, nursing administration, health informatics, financial management, and economics, the Nurse Leader Executive track specifically promotes the skills needed to become executives in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment.
MSN Pediatrics Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCPNP) – With the purpose of preparing registered nurses to further their career by providing primary healthcare to infants, children, and adolescents in various healthcare settings from a framework of human development, the Pediatrics Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCPNP) track requires the completion of at least 47 credit hours for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – For completion within four semesters full-time or six semesters part-time, the 45-credit Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program track aims to prepare registered nurses with the strong background in pharmacology, assessment, and treatment modalities to provide competent mental health services to individuals of all ages.
MSN Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) – Built with a specific emphasis on reproductive and gynecologic health needs to deliver comprehensive healthcare to women, the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) program track consists of between 37 and 47 credit hours in preparation for providing woman-focused health promotion throughout the lifespan.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
4111 Dewey Avenue
Omaha, NE 68198
(402) 559-5358
[email protected]
While there are wonderful career opportunities available for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, studies have proven that nurses who have earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) are able to provide higher quality care for a reduced mortality and morbidity rates. With a master’s degree, nurses will benefit from increased areas of specialization, a larger salary potential, higher demand, and more advanced marketable skills for today’s complex healthcare field. Be sure to check out these Master’s in Nursing degree programs in Nebraska to open up even more professional doors in the rewarding nursing occupation.