Are you a Registered Nurse in the Cornhusker State with an interest in advancing their career as a Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse? If you are then a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from one of Nebraska’s colleges and universities might be the right choice for you. We have assembled a list of all of the Nebraska schools with nationally accredited MSN programs.
Clarkson CollegeDepartment of Nursing
Clarkson College’s Department of Nursing offers Registered Nurses (RNs) a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The graduate degree is offered via two pathways: an RN to MSN pathway and a traditional MSN pathway.
The RN to MSN pathway is designed for diploma and Associate’s prepared nurses. The program allows students to chose from the following specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Health Care Administration
- Nursing Education
Students in the program must obtain 43 semester hours of specific general education and nursing prerequisite courses. If equivalent coursework was completed in the diploma or Associates program, transfer credit will be given. Students can also gain validation credit for courses by demonstrating equivalent knowledge. The remaining courses must be completed prior to seeking admission.
The traditional MSN pathway is available to students who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. In addition to the four specializations listed above, BSN prepared nurses can also chose a Nurse Anesthesia specialization. All MSN specialization courses are offered completely online with the exception of Nurse Anesthesia courses. A minimal number of campus visits are required for Nurse Practitioner students for competency validations.
Those seeking entry via the RN to MSN pathway must hold a diploma or Associates degree in nursing with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students must have received credit for or completed 43 hours of general education and nursing prerequisite courses. Candidates must hold a current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in the state where they practice and where clinical experiences will occur. Students must have the equivalent of at least one year of full-time nursing experience. The equivalent of two years of experience is required for those in the Nurse Practitioner programs.
Those entering via the BSN to MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE accredited program. They must hold a valid unencumbered license as an RN in the state of practice and where clinical experiences will take place. Candidates must have at least one year of RN experience. Those entering the Nurse Practitioner programs must have at least two years of experience as an RN. Those entering the Nurse Anesthesia program must have at least one year of recent experience in a critical care setting. Nurse Anesthesia applicants must have completed a graduate course in Statistics as well as be certified in BLS, ADLS, and PALS.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
101 South 42nd Street
Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 552-3100
College of Saint MaryDepartment of Nursing
The Department of Nursing at College of Saint Mary offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree program. The program leads to an MSN with a specialization in Nursing Education. It is offered in a hybrid format combining on campus meetings with online coursework.
Applicants to the MSN program are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must hold a current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in Nebraska or a compact state.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
7000 Mercy Road
Omaha, NE 68106
(800) 926-5534
Creighton University College of Nursing
Creighton University’s College of Nursing offers Master of Science in Nursing degree programs to prepare Registered Nurses in the following areas of specialization:
- Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Clinical Systems Administrator
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. They must have completed courses in Statistics and Physical Assessment. Students must hold a current, unencumbered RN license with eligibility for licensure in Nebraska. They must have 2000 hours of clinical work experience in direct patient care prior to starting clinical courses. Those entering the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program must hold 2000 hours of direct care experience in a Level III NICU setting prior to enrollment in clinical courses. Those entering the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program are required to have at least 2000 hours of experience in direct pediatric care prior to enrolling in clinical courses.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
(402) 280-2004
Nebraska Methodist College Department of Nursing
The Department of Nursing at Nebraska Methodist College offers multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They offer an RN to MSN pathway and a traditional MSN pathway.
The RN to MSN program is designed for nurses with a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing. Students can complete the program in as little as 36 months. Students in the program complete 18 credit hours of bridge coursework before progressing into the Master’s coursework.
Master of Science in Nursing degrees are offered to prepare nurses for the following roles:
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Executive
Applicants entering via the RN to MSN pathway must hold a diploma or Associate’s degree from a state approved or nationally accredited nursing program. Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA. Those with a lower GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis. They must hold a current unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Those entering via the traditional MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a state approved or nationally (NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE) accredited nursing program. They must have a 3.0 GPA in their BSN coursework. Those with lower GPAs will be considered on an individual basis. Candidates must hold a current unencumbered RN license.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
Josie Harper Campus
720 North 87th Street
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 354-7027
Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityWesleyan Advantage Nursing Program
Two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree are offered by Nebraska Wesleyan University. They offer both an RN to MSN pathway as well as a BSN to MSN program.
The RN to MSN program is designed for diploma or Associate’s prepared nurses. The program awards a BSN degree when the requirements have been met as well as an MSN degree.
Master of Science in Nursing degrees are offered in the following roles/specialty areas:
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Leader/Manager
Those applying to the RN to MSN program must hold a diploma or Associate’s in nursing with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. They must have completed a series of nursing prerequisite courses with a grade of B or above including courses in English, Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Microbiology, General Chemistry, Introductory Psychology, and General Sociology. Students must hold an active unencumbered license as an RN in Nebraska or one of the compact states. They must have one year of experience practicing as a Registered Nurse within the past three years.
Those entering via the BSN to MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE. They must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and have completed an undergraduate course in Nursing Research. Students are required to hold an active unencumbered Nebraska or compact state nursing license.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
5000 Saint Paul Avenue
Lincoln, NE 68504
(800) 541-3818
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing
The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Nursing offers Master of Science in Nursing programs in the following roles/specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatrics Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Leader/Executive
- Nurse Educator
Applicants to the program must hold a BSN degree accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC/ACEN with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. Students should have completed courses in Nursing Research and Health Assessment. Candidates must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the U.S. and, if different, in the state(s) where you plan to satisfy clinical requirements.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
4111 Dewey Avenue
985330 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198
(402) 559-4109