Are you planning to become a registered nurse in Nebraska?
If so, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure success.
And we’re here to help you do just that!
In this article, we’ll be giving you a simple guide on how to become an RN in Nebraska.
From enrolling in a nursing school to getting a job as an RN – We’ve got you covered!
We’ll also answer some relevant questions you may be curious about.
But first, we want to remind you that there is more than one type of nurse. You can check this article to see if a registered nurse (RN) is the particular type of nursing job you’re looking for.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
How to Become a Registered Nurse in Nebraska: 5 Simple Steps
Here are the 5 simple steps to becoming a registered nurse in Nebraska!
1.Plan for Your Career as an RN
2. Enroll in the Best Nursing Education Program for You
3. Complete Your Nursing Education Program
4. Get Your Nursing License in Nebraska
5. Get a Job as an RN in Nebraska
Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps!
How to Become an RN in Nebraska Step #1 – Plan for Your Career as an RN
Becoming an RN involves a wide range of skills and responsibilities. There are limitless opportunities for those who plan to take on the role of an RN.
The first step in becoming an RN is planning which career path you want to take.
Are you interested in working in doctors’ offices? Hospitals? Or perhaps, you prefer working with aging people in nursing home facilities?
Whatever your particular interest is, you have so many options to choose from in the world of nursing!
So as early as now, it’s better to think about where you want to pursue your nursing career.
This will help you decide what nursing education program to pursue and what skills you need to develop.
But of course, you can always change your mind as you go along. There are bridge programs that can help you move from one program to the next.
You don’t need to make a final decision now, but having some direction may help you save time and energy.
After this step, then you can decide where you want to study.
How to Become an RN in Nebraska Step #2 – Enroll in the Best Nursing Education Program for You
You need to consider which nursing education school and program fit best for you.
Consider the school’s location, performance, curriculum, class schedules, education programs, and types of people you’ll soon encounter.
Also, you have to decide which type of degree you want to obtain in the future.
You have two options: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
What are ADN and BSN?
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) provides its students with core knowledge and basic clinical skills. These programs are mostly two-year degrees.
ADN nurse duties vary depending on the chosen career path. Still, a nurse with a degree usually provides medical care, discusses symptoms with patients, monitors medical records, and reports to doctors about a patient’s medical status.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), on the other hand, provides the students with the same core knowledge and skills as an ADN but also includes more advanced or technical skills, including becoming a nurse manager, a pediatric nurse, or even an ICU nurse. These programs are usually four-year degrees.
BSN nurses can treat patients, develop nursing treatment plans, work on routine laboratories, and assist doctors with surgeries.
Here is a table that gives a very general comparison of ADN vs. BSN.
| ADN | BSN | |
| Time to complete | 2-3 years | 4 years |
| Enrollment fees | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Course work | Core nursing subjects: Microbiology Foundations in Nursing Chemistry Behavioral Health English Communications |
Core nursing subjects and more: Anatomy and Physiology NutritionEmergency Care Statistics Psychology/Anthropology Pharmacology Health Assessment Family, Community, and Population-Based Care Public and Global Health Nursing Theory, Research, and Ethics |
| Job Responsibilities | *Basic nursing care and clinical tasks | *Includes more complex aspects of nursing such as managing and assistant roles |
| Job Opportunities | Less | More |
| Salary | An average annual salary of $43,170 | An average annual salary of $63,850 |
As you can see in the table above, getting an ADN degree takes less time and is cheaper than getting a BSN degree, as the latter offers a more extensive nursing education.
The BSN degree allows you to broaden your talents and skills in the future by allowing you to pursue more advanced studies.
Investing in your education to become a BSN will give you more opportunities.
But don’t worry! Despite the differences, if you finish with an ADN degree, you can still work as a registered nurse because you already have the basic knowledge and skills of an RN.
Some people opt to complete the ADN program first and then pursue a BSN degree later.
So, at the end of the day, it’s really up to you which option to choose, considering your unique circumstances.
How to Choose a Good Nursing School in Nebraska
Once you’re all set on which type of program and degree you’re choosing, it’s time to select a good nursing school in Nebraska.
The school you’re choosing must be state-approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. You can research which schools have a high NCLEX-RN passing rate, as well.
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a very important part of your nursing journey, so you should keep this in mind while choosing a school.
Moreover, not all schools offer the same curriculum and education programs.
So better check which is suitable for you.
Requirements to Enroll in a Nursing Education Program
There are requirements needed for you to enroll in nursing schools in Nebraska.
ADN program requirements are as follows:
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- Official transcripts
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- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and an extracted GPA of 2.85 for prerequisites
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- Application fees
BSN program requirements are as follows:
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- Completion of required prerequisite courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA
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- Proof of vaccinations
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- Evidence of current completion of an approved CPR course
How to Become an RN in Nebraska Step #3 – Complete Your Nursing Education Program
Now that you’re accepted into a nursing school, you’lll have to take general education courses, as well as prerequisites.
Once you’re done with these courses, you can now take health-related and nursing courses.
Keep in mind that you may need to maintain a certain GPA while studying. Having good grades will surely help you build your career in the future.
Expect to get hands-on experience as a nursing undergraduate, too. This will test you if you’re fit to become a nurse in the professional field.
While you’re in training, you’ll assist professional nurses, do extensive laboratory work, and dive deep into the world of nursing education.
This will also help you build connections with your colleagues and those already part of the industry.
It’s also better to get recommendations from your peers, as this will be useful for your career in the long run.
How to Become an RN in Nebraska Step #4 – Get Your Nursing License in Nebraska
Once you’ve graduated from your nursing school, you’ll need to get your RN license.
You have two options for this.
Getting a Nebraska RN License by Examination
After graduating from your nursing program, you can apply for your state license.
You can apply for a license from the Nebraska Board of Nursing.
You must provide the necessary documents and pay a $123 application fee.
There will also be an additional $45.25 for a criminal background check.
If your application is accepted, you will be given an Authorization to Test (ATT) for the NCLEX-RN.
Once you have the ATT, you must take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. The exam costs $200.
If you fail to pass on the first try, you may retake the exam and pay a retake fee of $50 to the Nebraska Board of Nursing.
Once you pass the exam, you will simply need to wait for the Board to send you your official RN license.
Getting a Nebraska RN License by Endorsement
The other option is getting an RN license by endorsement or recommendation.
However, this only applies to applicants who have already passed the NCLEX-RN in another US state or territory and wish to get a license in Nebraska.
You will also need to submit documents and pay the application fee.
How to Become an RN in Nebraska Step # 5 – Get a Job as an RN in Nebraska
After doing all the steps above, you’re now officially a registered nurse!
In Nebraska, there are many job opportunities for you to consider.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for Nebraska’s RNs is $56,350 a year (or $27.09 an hour).
Nebraska currently has 25,508 RNs working in the state. Nebraska is also a member of the nurse licensure compact states.
Licensed nurses who reside in another compact state are allowed to practice in Nebraska. This is under a multistate license used by the Nebraska Board.
However, licensed nurses in non-compact states must get a Nebraska RN license by endorsement.
According to the Workforce Development site of Nebraska, 69% of those graduates are earning $29,000 or higher.
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming an RN in Nebraska
What is the average salary of an RN in Nebraska?
The average yearly salary of an RN in Nebraska is $56,350.
How can I upgrade my license?
If you hold an ADN degree, you can pursue your BSN bachelor’s degree. If you’re already a BSN-educated nurse, you can take your further studies as an advanced practice nurse (APN).
You also have the option to get a master’s or doctorate in nursing.
So choose which path works best for you!
How do I apply for a nursing license in Nebraska if I am a nurse from another country?
To become a registered nurse in Nebraska if you’re from another country, you can apply by endorsement.
You will need to provide the usual application documents and materials.
An applying nurse must show continued competency through refresher courses or practice in the prior five years. If these requirements cannot be met, you should enroll in an approved refresher course to get you up to speed. These courses include at least 75 hours in total.
Conclusion
And there you have it!
This comprehensive guide on how to become an RN in Nebraska will help you from the beginning of your nursing school life until you reach a full-blown nursing career.
There are so many options and paths to choose from, so pick the ones that fit your personal needs.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!
Good luck!