Lincoln hospital floors run on RNs with two different credentials, and the choice between them starts before admission. An associate degree in nursing takes about two years of nursing coursework; a BSN takes four. Either degree leads to the NCLEX-RN and the same Nebraska RN license. Programs in Lincoln, Seward and Crete sit within about an hour of most metro households, and Omaha adds more for students willing to drive. Cost, admission competition and transfer credit usually decide it. Employers here hire either degree, but the BSN still shapes promotion and specialty tracks.
Where Lincoln Nurses Work: Bryan Health, CHI Health St. Elizabeth and Other Employers
Four employers anchor the Lincoln nursing job market, and most local nursing students will meet at least one of them on clinical rotations before they graduate.
Lincoln's Major RN Employers
- Bryan Medical Center: Bryan Health's flagship is a 664-bed nonprofit, locally owned system with an East campus at 1600 S. 48th St. and a West campus at 2300 S. 16th St.1 It provides acute care, trauma and specialty services, so new graduates can apply across a wide range of units.
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth: The city's other major acute-care hospital sits at 555 S. 70th St.2
- Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals: This nationally recognized rehab facility draws patients from across the country and hires RNs for neurorehabilitation and orthopedic rehabilitation.
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa, Lincoln campus: This federal employer serves veterans across a broad region, with RN demand in primary care, mental health and long-term care.
Clinical Placements Are Common, Not Guaranteed
Bryan, CHI St. Elizabeth, Madonna and community clinics all appear as practicum settings for Lincoln nursing students, spanning acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient and public health work. Formal partnership agreements are not consistently published, and no single placement list applies to every school. Ask each program where its students actually rotate.
What Magnet Status Means for ADN Graduates
CHI Health St. Elizabeth holds Magnet designation from the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program. It earned the designation in 2004 and renewed it in 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024.2 CHI describes it as Lincoln's only Magnet hospital.2 Magnet hospitals typically emphasize BSN-prepared nursing staff. ADN graduates applying there may see BSN holders favored, or they may be asked to start an RN to BSN program within a set timeframe. Policies vary, so confirm current expectations with a recruiter. An ADN still qualifies you for RN roles across Lincoln, but planning a BSN bridge early keeps every option available.
Looking Beyond Lincoln
Many graduates widen the search. Omaha's larger hospital market is roughly an hour's drive northeast. Smaller communities such as Seward, Crete, Beatrice and York also need nurses for their local hospitals and care facilities, which can suit graduates who prefer a shorter commute or a smaller-town setting.
Top NCLEX-RN Pass Rates Among Lincoln-Area Nursing Schools
Exam results do most of the sorting here, with accreditation standing and completion outcomes separating programs that post similar first-time pass rates. Every entry holds Nebraska Board of Nursing approval, and each card names whether the pre-licensure degree is an ADN or a BSN so you can compare like with like.
How we ranked these
- Overall institutional graduation rates
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- ACEN or CCNE accreditation status
- Nebraska Board of Nursing approval
- Program length and degree type
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Bryan College of Health Sciences
#1Lincoln, NE · $25,000 – $30,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Second-degree students wanting a 12-month track
Bryan College of Health Sciences is a health-sciences-focused institution in Lincoln whose BSN is ACEN accredited and approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. Students log more than 1,000 clinical hours in small cohorts, with a 1:7 faculty-to-student ratio in clinicals and a simulation center on campus. A 12-month accelerated track serves second-degree students, and the Bryan Nursing Access Program covers tuition for two years for eligible students.
- More than 1,000 clinical hours across the curriculum
- 1:7 faculty-to-student ratio in clinical settings
- Starts spring and fall at the Lincoln and Hastings campuses
- Bryan Nursing Access Program covers two years of tuition
- 12-month, full-time option starting in fall
- Requires prerequisite coursework before entry
- Complimentary transcript evaluation for applicants
- Same 1,000 clinical hours and small-cohort format
Southeast Community College Area
#2Lincoln, NE · $9,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 90.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Career changers wanting the lowest-cost entry
Southeast Community College Area runs the area's main associate-degree route to RN licensure, with the ADN offered in Lincoln and Beatrice and approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. Students complete 518 clinical hours, starting in the second term, with placements arranged by a clinical coordinator at local hospitals and clinics. Full-time students finish in four terms and part-time students in eight, and an LPN-to-ADN bridge is available for licensed practical nurses.
- Full-time in four terms or part-time in eight
- Starts fall and spring; attend clinical one to three days a week
- 518 clinical hours, beginning in the second term
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN and multi-state licensure eligibility
- LPN-to-ADN bridge for licensed practical nurses
- Locations in Lincoln and Beatrice
Nebraska Wesleyan University
#3Lincoln, NE · ~$18,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Traditional students wanting a liberal arts foundation
Nebraska Wesleyan University offers a traditional four-year BSN on a liberal arts campus in Lincoln, CCNE accredited and approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. The curriculum layers pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment and evidence-based practice onto the university's Archway general education program, and includes a capstone internship plus a dedicated NCLEX-RN preparation course. Students must earn a C+ or better in every nursing course, and the program's Lincoln partnerships span Bryan Health, St. Elizabeth and Tabitha, among others.
- Capstone internship and dedicated NCLEX-RN prep course
- C+ or better required in all nursing courses
- Global health course and leadership course included
- Clinical rotations across medical-surgical, mental health, maternal-child and community settings
Union Adventist University
#4Lincoln, NE · $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.)
Union Adventist University bills its BSN as the oldest in Nebraska, founded in 1896, and it remains CCNE accredited with Nebraska Board of Nursing approval. The four-year campus program logs more than 900 clinical hours in Lincoln hospitals and a simulation center, admits small cohorts twice a year, and reported a first-time pass rate above 97% on its published licensure exam figure. An LPN/RN to BSN completion option lets working nurses finish the degree.
- Four-year program with two start dates per year
- More than 900 clinical hours in Lincoln hospital systems
- Cohort-based structure with holistic admission review
- Sigma Theta Tau honor society membership available
- LPN/RN to BSN completion option for licensed nurses
Concordia University-Nebraska
#5Seward, NE · ~$24,000/yr (est.)
Concordia University, Nebraska sits in Seward, about 25 miles from Lincoln, and offers a dual-degree nursing pathway rather than a standalone BSN. Students spend three years at Concordia completing sciences and prerequisites, then transfer into Creighton University's accelerated BSN for the fourth year, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The CCNE-accredited arrangement requires a 3.0 GPA and 149 total credit hours.
- Dual degree conferred with Creighton University
- Three years on the Concordia campus, fourth year in Creighton's accelerated BSN
- 149 total credit hours with a 3.0 GPA minimum
- Nebraska Nursing Scholarship available to state residents
Doane University
#6Crete, NE · $26,000/yr (est. net price)
Doane University appears in this Lincoln-area list for its RN to BSN completion program, which is designed for nurses who already hold an active, unrestricted license rather than for pre-licensure students. The program is offered online and at the Lincoln campus, accepts up to 72 transfer credits, and focuses on leadership, healthcare policy and evidence-based practice. Students should note that it does not lead to initial RN licensure.
- Degree-completion track requiring an active RN license
- Up to 72 transfer credits accepted
- Online or Lincoln campus formats
- Coursework in leadership, policy and evidence-based practice
- Background check and personal medical insurance required
ADN or BSN in Lincoln: Time, Cost and Prerequisites Side by Side
An ADN is an associate degree, offered here through Southeast Community College, that teaches the clinical skills you need to sit for the NCLEX-RN. A BSN is a four-year bachelor's degree that adds leadership, research and community health coursework, and it is the degree most hospitals and graduate programs prefer. The ADN is the faster, cheaper route to an RN license, while the BSN opens more hospital and graduate-school doors, and many Lincoln ADN graduates finish an RN-to-BSN while working.
| Factor | ADN (Southeast Community College, Lincoln) | BSN (Bryan College of Health Sciences, UNMC Lincoln Division, Nebraska Wesleyan) |
|---|---|---|
| Program length after prerequisites | 4 terms full-time or 8 terms part-time | Bryan's accelerated Lincoln BSN runs 12 months for students with a prior degree. Other BSN tracks follow each school's own schedule. |
| Prerequisite courses | Human Anatomy with Lab, Human Physiology with Lab and a written communication course (BIOS 1140/1140L, BIOS 2130/2130L, and ENGL 1010, 1054 or 1110). Minimum 2.75 GPA on these courses. | UNMC requires 17 prerequisite courses with a C or above, completed within 7 years of starting. Minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA. |
| Typical prerequisite timing | A short list of three courses, plus proof of active CNA status on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry (or nursing-assistant class completion plus another current healthcare certification) | UNMC applicants generally apply after about 12 of the 17 courses and finish all 17 before nursing coursework begins. Accelerated applicants also need a bachelor's degree in another field. |
| Application deadlines | Fall start: February 1 to February 28 or until full. Spring start: September 1 to September 30 or until full. | Bryan: December 1 for spring start, August 1 for fall start |
| Start terms | Fall (August) or spring (January) | Bryan: spring or fall |
| Admission model | Application window with a set prerequisite GPA and CNA verification, open until seats fill | Application with a published prerequisite GPA (3.0 at UNMC) and completed prerequisite coursework before entry |
| Published tuition | Estimated program tuition of $8,573 | Varies by school. Use the net price table below for each school's cost after aid. |
| RN-to-BSN route afterward | Common next step: finish an RN-to-BSN part-time while working as an RN | Already holds the bachelor's degree, so the next step can be an MSN or nurse practitioner program |
Nursing Program Tuition in Lincoln, NE: Lowest Net Price After Aid
The schools below are sorted by average net price after grants, using U.S. Department of Education figures (IPEDS and College Scorecard); net price is an institution-wide average across all undergraduates, not a quote for a specific nursing student. On sticker price, Southeast Community College's ADN costs $105 per credit for Nebraska residents ($126 for nonresidents) plus $22 per credit in fees for 2026-2027, so a 12-credit term runs about $1,260 in tuition and $264 in fees, while Bryan College of Health Sciences estimates $719 per credit ($8,628 per 12-credit term) for 2027-2028, plus a $1,400 general fee and about $600 for books and supplies, and UNMC's Lincoln Division lists $464 per credit for residents, with Year 1 tuition plus fees of $25,055 for residents and $50,175 for nonresidents in 2026-2027. That gap between the community-college ADN route and private BSN colleges is the biggest cost decision in Lincoln, and remember that prerequisite credits (anatomy, physiology, microbiology and similar courses) add cost before nursing coursework begins at any of these schools.
| School | City | Program | Average net price after aid (per year) | Published in-state tuition and fees (per year) | Median program debt | Typical 10-year monthly payment | Cost notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Community College | Lincoln, NE | Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) | $9,171 | $3,690 | $19,286 | $204 | 2026-2027 rates: $105 per credit (resident), $126 per credit (nonresident), plus $22 per credit in student activity and facility fees |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | Lincoln, NE | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | $18,327 | $43,572 | $20,875 | $221 | Nursing fees of $3,095 to $3,495 per year (two semesters) for 2026-2027, including $1,200 to $1,400 per semester for ATI testing, $130 per year for CastleBranch compliance tracking, $315 per year for Nursing Central, $75 per semester for clinical placement software and $100 per semester for simulation and skills lab supplies; exact costs vary by student |
| Union Adventist University | Lincoln, NE | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | $23,716 | $29,334 | $27,000 | $286 | Traditional four-year BSN; an LPN/RN to BSN completion option is also offered |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | Seward, NE | BSN Dual Degree 3+1 Nursing Program | $23,965 | $40,640 | N/A | N/A | Dual-degree BSN totaling 149 credit hours over four years |
| Doane University | Crete, NE | RN to BSN completion | $26,364 | $43,985 | $20,180 | $214 | Degree completion for licensed RNs, offered on the Lincoln campus and online; not a pre-licensure route |
How Long It Takes to Become an RN in Lincoln, NE
Plan on about 2.5 to 3 years to finish a full-time associate degree in nursing at Southeast Community College, prerequisites included, or about 4 years for a traditional BSN if you are starting without prior college. Competitive admission or a waitlist can stretch either route, so confirm how often your program admits new students. Add a variable stretch after graduation for NCLEX-RN testing and Nebraska licensure.
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Pathways Around Lincoln
An LPN and a student starting from scratch end at the same RN license, but the routes differ sharply. For LPNs, Lincoln has a direct option.
The LPN-to-RN Bridge at Southeast Community College
Lincoln does have an LPN-to-RN program. Southeast Community College (SCC) offers an LPN-to-ADN that awards an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN. It runs two terms full-time, much shorter than the regular ADN, and is delivered in a hybrid or hybrid-online format at its Lincoln site.
SCC's admission page lists August and January starts. Its program checklist describes August full-time and a part-time May cohort, with the first May group scheduled for 2028. Applications for 2026 ran February 1 to 28 for fall and September 1 to 30 for spring, so confirm the current window with SCC. Admission is limited and competitive.
Entry Requirements
- License: An active, unencumbered Nebraska LPN license, or an active compact-state LPN/LVN license.
- Prerequisites: Anatomy and physiology with labs, plus a written communication course such as English Composition I.
- Math: MATH 1100 with a grade that allows MATH 1150, or placement into MATH 1150 or higher. Math scores are valid for three years.
- GPA: At least 2.75 in required prerequisites. The catalog adds 2.75 in science and 2.5 in general education before the nursing core.
- After acceptance: AHA BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers within 15 days, plus a health statement and immunization waiver.
Starting From Zero
Readers without a license can use the PN-to-RN ladder: earn a practical nursing credential, work as an LPN, then bridge into the ADN. It spreads cost and lets you earn while you study. The school directory further down this page is the place to look for entry-level programs near Lincoln.
LPN to BSN
No LPN-to-BSN program within commuting distance of Lincoln, whether in Omaha or online, is confirmed in the research behind this page. The practical route is the bridge to an ADN, then an RN to BSN, covered in the listing below.
List of LVN to RN Programs Near Lincoln
Lincoln, NE
Southeast Community College Area
- Associate - LPN to RN
Campus Based - Website
- $8,636 total program tuition
- 2-Semester program
- 68 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Starts fall/summer
- 87.50% licensure pass rate
- 383 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
What Lincoln-Area Nursing Graduates Earn One Year Out
Bachelor's-level nursing graduates in the Lincoln area show the highest early earnings.
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Lincoln, NE
Nurses who already hold a license can build on it rather than start over. The RN to BSN programs below are degree-completion tracks, so a current, unencumbered RN license is the entry requirement and general education credits from earlier study often transfer. Formats range from a Lincoln campus with local clinical hours to fully online coursework.
- BSN Completion Program
- Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Lincoln, NE
These Lincoln graduate nursing programs are designed for registered nurses who already hold a BSN and want to move into education, leadership, or management. Coursework is delivered online, and several tracks build in live sessions, so you can keep working while you study. Compare degree level, concentration, and format below, then confirm admission requirements directly with each school.
- Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Educator)
- MSN/MBA Joint Degree
- Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Educator
- Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Leadership
Getting Licensed as an RN Through the Nebraska Board of Nursing
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Lincoln, NE
6 schools within 40 miles, grouped by city. Select a program to see its highlights, and use the Website link for the school's own program page.
Crete, NE
Doane University
Bachelor's - Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.
- Degree-completion program for RNs
- Offered on Lincoln campus and online
- Focus on professional development and leadership
- Requires current active RN license
- Up to 72 transfer credits accepted
- Liberal arts education for nurses
- Background investigation required
- Personal medical insurance required
Online · Website
Lincoln, NE
Bryan College of Health Sciences
Bachelor's - Accelerated Nursing Degree
- 12-Month program
- Full-time enrollment
- Starts fall
- 1000 clinical hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Small class sizes
- 1:7 faculty-to-student ratio
- Starting pay $34-41 per hour
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Starts spring/fall
- 100% licensure pass rate
- 1000 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Small class sizes
- 1:7 faculty-to-student ratio in clinicals
- Skills Labs and Simulation Center
- Two campus locations
On-Campus · Website
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- C+ or better in nursing courses
- Traditional BSN plan of study available
- Global health course required
- Leadership and issues course included
On-Campus · Website
Southeast Community College Area
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
- $8,573 total program tuition
- Complete in 4 Terms (full-time), 8 Terms (part-time)
- Full-time and part-time options
- Starts fall/spring
- 87.5% licensure pass rate
- $85,800 median earnings
- 518 clinical hours
- Prerequisite courses required
On-Campus · Website
Union Adventist University
Bachelor's - Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Year program
- 2 start dates per year
- 97.06% licensure pass rate
- Cohort-based structure
- 900 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Oldest BSN program in Nebraska
On-Campus · Website
Seward, NE
Concordia University-Nebraska
Bachelor's - BSN Dual Degree 3+1 Nursing Program
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Year program
- Complete in in just four years
- 149 total credit hours
- 100% job placement rate
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Financial aid available
Hybrid · Website
Program data from the schools and the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS).