Northeast Community College Nursing Program Review (2026): PN, ADN & Requirements
On its Norfolk campus and extended sites, Northeast Community College runs a ladder nursing curriculum: students who finish the first two semesters earn a Practical Nursing diploma (NCLEX-PN), and those who meet GPA rules may complete two more semesters for an ADN (NCLEX-RN). This guide uses northeast.edu nursing outcomes tables, Tuition & Fees, and Nebraska DHHS Nursing; confirm deadlines and requirements before you apply.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Northeast’s 771-acre Norfolk campus anchors nursing labs and simulation, while extended campuses (O’Neill, South Sioux City, West Point, and other sites) receive virtual didactic delivery—though some labs and clinicals still require travel to Norfolk or other assigned sites, per the college’s nursing FAQ.
Overview & Why Students Choose Northeast Community College
Northeast Community College sits in Norfolk, a regional hub for northeast Nebraska health care, and publishes a single nursing curriculum with built-in mobility: complete the first two semesters of nursing courses to earn a Practical Nursing diploma, then—if your GPA meets program rules—continue for two more semesters to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). The college states enrollment is limited, selective, and accepts about 60 students per year with a February 1 application deadline for fall admission.
On its nursing program page, Northeast publishes first-attempt NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN pass rates with NCSBN national averages in the same table—for example 2024 shows 97.14% NCLEX-RN and 94.87% NCLEX-PN (see the NCLEX section below). Confirm the latest cohort with the college and Nebraska DHHS.
Reasons students choose Northeast CC
PN-to-ADN ladder in one curriculum
Students move from practical nursing to RN without switching institutions when they meet progression standards—useful if you want a licensed LPN credential first and later an ADN.
Transparent NCLEX tables
Northeast lists multi-year first-time NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN pass rates beside national figures on the same page, plus program completion percentages.
ACEN-accredited ADN
The college states the Associate Degree nursing program holds ACEN Continuing Accreditation, and both PN and ADN are approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing.
Clinical variety + simulation
Coursework combines clinical experience in hospitals, long-term care, and community settings with high-fidelity simulation labs on the Norfolk campus.
Nursing Programs Offered
Northeast describes in-person delivery with a plan of study that can run one, two, or more years with full-time and part-time options. The following reflects Northeast Nursing and the nursing program PDF as of this review.
Practical Nursing (Diploma)
Students admitted to the nursing major complete the first two semesters of the nursing sequence and earn a diploma in practical nursing, eligible to sit for NCLEX-PN. Northeast does not list a separate “stand-alone” PN entry outside the overall selective program.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), A.A.S.
Students who meet GPA and progression requirements may complete the second two semesters for an Associate Degree in Nursing and eligibility for NCLEX-RN. Minimum grades in nursing courses are B letter grades with ≥80% test averages per the nursing FAQ.
Northeast’s public nursing pages describe diploma PN and ADN only. Students seeking a BSN typically transfer after licensure or RN-to-BSN completion at a university partner.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the PN and ADN Program Statistics table on Northeast’s nursing program page, first-attempt pass rates are listed with NCSBN national averages for the same calendar years. Below are the figures published on that page (school-reported).
NCLEX-RN (Associate Degree Nursing)
2024: Northeast 97.14% (national average shown on the same table: 91.16%). 2023: 97.56%. 2022: 83.33%.
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing)
2024: Northeast 94.87% (national 88.38% on the same table). 2023: reported 100% first-time NCLEX-PN (Northeast outcomes table, school-reported). 2022: 94.29%.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2024) | 97.14% (Northeast program outcomes table) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (2024) | 94.87% (Northeast program outcomes table) |
| Source | Northeast Community College — Nursing; confirm cohorts with Nebraska DHHS Nursing. |
Pass rates change by cohort. Always confirm the latest rates with Northeast Community College and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services nursing licensure office.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Nebraska’s nursing licensure materials (for example DHHS examination instructions) reference English proficiency, transcript evaluation for foreign-educated applicants, and other documentation. Northeast’s nursing FAQ does not spell out every international admission requirement in the sections reviewed for this guide.
- English-language proficiency thresholds and tests accepted by Northeast for your visa type.
- Credential evaluation (if required) and any restrictions on clinical placement for non-immigrant students.
- Nebraska DHHS Nursing: NCLEX eligibility, background checks, and compact-state licensure rules.
- Immigration & clinical sites: confirm availability of required rotations for international enrollees.
This section is general guidance, not legal advice. Verify with Northeast admissions, international student services (if applicable), and Nebraska DHHS.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Northeast states limited, selective admission to the nursing major: you must apply to the nursing program separately from general college admission, and approximately 60 students are accepted each year. The college uses a competitive scoring process; meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. All applicants must complete the ATI TEAS Version 7; Northeast recommends scores at or above the national average because higher scores improve selection odds.
TEAS window: For fall admission, the TEAS must be taken between June 1 of the prior year and January 31 of the application year (example given on the nursing page for a fall 2024 start). Retakes require at least 14 days between attempts.
CNA / Nurse Aide: You must be on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry by the time nursing courses begin; you do not need to be active on the registry when you apply.
Application timeline
| Entry pattern | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall nursing start | Application due February 1 for fall of the same year | Decisions by late March (per FAQ). |
| Part-time option | Adds one year to the program | Contact the Director of Nursing Programs if you work more than ~15 hours/week. |
| Extended campuses | Transcripts to Norfolk Registrar | Coordinate lab/clinical travel per FAQ. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage |
| Entrance exam | TEAS Version 7 required for all applicants (see TEAS information). |
| Background checks | Criminal background check and DHHS Adult/Child Abuse Registry screening after admission; drug screening required. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Institutional tuition (2026–2027): Northeast publishes $112 per credit hour for Nebraska residents and border-state residents (IA, SD, WY, CO, KS, MO), $155 for other non-residents, and $21 per credit hour in fees (Tuition & Fees).
Cost of attendance: The college’s financial aid budget tables (based on 30 credit hours) estimate total COA for a Nebraska resident at $17,688 for 2026–2027 including tuition, fees, books, housing, meal plan, travel, and miscellaneous expenses—your actual nursing program costs depend on credit load, housing choices, and supplies.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition per credit (2026–27) | $112 resident / border; $155 non-resident ($21 fees/credit) |
| Example COA (30 cr, NE resident) | $17,688 total estimated (Northeast COA table) |
| Source | Northeast Tuition & Fees; Tools & supplies |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Besides NCLEX pass rates, Northeast publishes program completion percentages on the same nursing page—for example 2024 completion within 100% of program length was 74.4% for PN and 97.2% for ADN (school-reported). The page does not publish a separate job-placement percentage in the sections reviewed for this guide.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (2024) | 97.14% (Northeast program outcomes table) |
| Program completion (2024) | ADN 97.2%; PN 74.4% (within 100% of program length) |
| Source | Northeast Community College — Nursing |
Is Northeast Community College the Right Fit for You?
Northeast fits learners who want a public community college price point, can meet selective health-science admission, and are willing to travel to assigned clinical sites across northeast Nebraska and occasionally to Norfolk for labs.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a PN credential and optional ADN progression in one college’s curriculum.
- Plan to stay in Nebraska or the region for clinicals and early employment.
- Value published NCLEX and completion outcomes on the college website.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a traditional BSN without transferring to a university.
- Cannot travel to Norfolk or other assigned sites for labs and clinicals.
- Prefer fully online pre-licensure nursing—Northeast states courses are in-person (with virtual didactic to extended sites as described).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Norfolk and the surrounding region include Faith Regional Health Services, Antelope Memorial Hospital, community long-term care, and clinics in towns across the college’s advisory committee list (for example Columbus Community Hospital, Pender Community Hospital, Providence Medical Center). Clinical assignments are coordinated by the program; students should follow Northeast’s instructions about contacting sites.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Norfolk & regional hospitals | Acute care, specialty services, and rural critical-access hospitals support student rotations. |
| Long-term & community care | Nursing homes and community agencies appear on Northeast’s nursing advisory committee roster—confirm active affiliations with the program. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The Norfolk campus includes housing, dining, athletics (Northeast Hawks), and student organizations. Nursing students use simulation labs with high-fidelity manikins and equipment aligned with acute-care settings. Expect professional standards (immunizations, CPR, essential functions) consistent with clinical placement requirements.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- Norfolk, NE
- Address
- 801 East Benjamin Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68702-0469, US
- Telephone
- (402) 371-2020 (toll-free 800-348-9033)
- Nursing advisor
- debra@northeast.edu · (402) 844-7320 (Debbie Bates)
- Director of Nursing Programs
- karenkw@northeast.edu · (402) 844-7330 (Dr. Karen Weidner)
- Website
- northeast.edu
Official links
Your next steps checklist
- Read the Nursing Student Handbook and program plan for prerequisites and progression rules.
- Submit the selective program nursing application by February 1 and complete the TEAS Version 7 within the published window.
- Schedule TEAS testing through the Testing Center (Norfolk, O’Neill, or West Point as applicable).
- Plan finances using the Tuition & Fees page and the tools & supplies list.
- Contact debra@northeast.edu to confirm your application file is complete.
- Bookmark Nebraska DHHS Nursing for licensure and NCLEX eligibility questions.
- Arrange travel plans for Norfolk-based labs if you attend from an extended campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Practical Nursing and ADN ladder work at Northeast Community College?
Students admitted to the nursing major complete the first two semesters to earn a Practical Nursing diploma and may take NCLEX-PN. Those who meet GPA requirements may finish two more semesters for an ADN and NCLEX-RN eligibility. See Northeast Nursing.
What NCLEX pass rates does Northeast publish for 2024?
Northeast’s outcomes table lists 97.14% first-time NCLEX-RN and 94.87% NCLEX-PN for 2024, with NCSBN national averages shown in the same table. Confirm newer cohorts with the college and Nebraska DHHS.
What is tuition at Northeast Community College for 2026–2027?
Northeast charges $112/credit for Nebraska and border-state residents, $155/credit for other non-residents, and $21/credit in fees. See the Tuition & Fees page for full COA tables.
Is Northeast CC nursing accredited?
The Associate Degree nursing program lists ACEN Continuing Accreditation; both PN and ADN are approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing, per the nursing page. Verify with ACEN and the Board.
Does Northeast require TEAS for nursing?
Yes—ATI TEAS Version 7 is required for all nursing applicants, with a defined testing window and 14-day minimum between retakes. Details appear on the nursing page and Testing Center TEAS page.
When is the nursing application due at Northeast?
The FAQ states applications are due February 1 for fall admission the same year, with notifications by late March. Use the current Office form linked from the nursing page.
Do I need to be a CNA before applying to Northeast nursing?
You must be on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry before nursing courses begin; you may apply before that milestone. See the nursing FAQ for registry options if your credential lapsed.
Where do Northeast nursing students do clinicals?
Northeast uses hospitals, long-term care, and community settings across the region; extended-campus students may need to travel to Norfolk or other assigned locations for portions of labs and clinicals.
Who do I contact for Northeast nursing advising?
Debbie Bates, Nursing Programs Advisor: debra@northeast.edu or 402-844-7320. For program leadership, Dr. Karen Weidner: karenkw@northeast.edu or 402-844-7330.
References
- Northeast Community College — Nursingdegrees-and-programs/nursing.html
- Northeast Community College — Tuition & Feescosts-aid/tuition/
- Northeast Community College — Norfolk campusabout-us/locations/norfolk.html
- Northeast Community College — ATI TEAStesting-center/ati-teas.html
- Nebraska DHHS — Nursing (licensure)dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Nursing.aspx
- National Council of State Boards of Nursingncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment with Northeast’s nursing program page, tuition disclosures, and Nebraska DHHS licensure references.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with Northeast Community College and Nebraska DHHS.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy