University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Nebraska’s public academic health center nursing college spans five in-state divisions (Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Kearney, Norfolk) with Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN, online RN-to-BSN, and graduate nursing programs. Figures below come from UNMC’s catalog and cost-of-attendance materials—confirm billing, cohort outcomes, and licensure steps with UNMC and Nebraska DHHS.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UNMC anchors the state’s largest nursing college footprint—five divisions and deep ties to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha—so pre-licensure students can align clinical immersion with rural or urban communities while using the same CCNE-accredited curriculum framework.
Overview & Why Students Choose UNMC
The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing is the nursing school of Nebraska’s only public academic health sciences center. Undergraduate students typically complete prerequisites elsewhere, then enter a four-semester pre-licensure sequence (Traditional or Accelerated BSN) with clinical experiences tied to each division’s regional hospitals and community partners. UNMC also offers an online RN-to-BSN, multiple MSN APRN and leadership tracks, post-graduate certificates, DNP, and a PhD in Nursing through Graduate Studies.
UNMC highlights a 500-mile campus model: divisions in Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Kearney, and Norfolk share centralized curriculum resources while tailoring clinical placement to local systems—from Nebraska Medicine in Omaha to community hospitals and rural sites statewide.
UNMC’s Traditional and Accelerated BSN pages report a 97.64% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for traditional and accelerated graduates combined in 2024. Cumulative pass-rate figures on other UNMC pages use different definitions and dates. Confirm the latest cohort-specific outcomes with UNMC and cross-check program-level data through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Nursing licensure and education resources.
Reasons students choose UNMC
Academic health center immersion
Omaha Division students train alongside medicine, pharmacy, and allied health learners at UNMC, with Nebraska Medicine as a primary acute-care partner and access to specialized centers such as the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
Statewide clinical reach
Five divisions place students in hospitals and community settings across Nebraska, supporting rural health priorities UNMC emphasizes in public-facing materials.
Full career ladder
From pre-licensure BSN through DNP and PhD, UNMC offers CCNE-accredited pathways (per program pages) for bedside practice, advanced practice, leadership, and research.
Structured admissions through NursingCAS
Undergraduate and graduate professional programs use NursingCAS, with published prerequisite GPA expectations and campus-specific seat management after admission.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following aligns with UNMC’s academic program and catalog pages. Delivery (on-site vs online) varies by track—confirm your division and modality before applying.
Traditional BSN
Four-semester nursing sequence after prerequisites; full- or part-time options. Fall entry statewide; spring entry for Kearney, Lincoln, and Omaha per UNMC. Approximately 765 clinical hours referenced on program pages.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
About 12 months after prerequisites for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Offered on Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Norfolk divisions; January start; faculty interview required.
RN-to-BSN
Online BSN completion for licensed RNs. Catalog lists RN-BSN distance tuition separately from pre-licensure BSN.
MSN & Post-Graduate Certificate
NP specialties (e.g., FNP, AG ACNP, AG PCNP, PMHNP, PNP, Women’s Health), Nurse Leader/Executive, Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN/MBA dual degree, and ENP post-graduate certificate—per UNMC MSN and graduate admissions pages.
DNP
Professional doctorate with BSN-to-DNP and post-master’s pathways for selected specialties; rolling admissions details posted for 2025–2026 cycles.
PhD in Nursing
Research doctorate housed in UNMC Graduate Studies; prepares nurse scientists and educators.
Not every track runs at every division. UNMC allows only one first-choice campus on NursingCAS for undergraduates; graduate applicants declare a home campus. Verify specialty seats, state authorization for online learners, and clinical placement geography with Student Services.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to UNMC’s Traditional BSN and Accelerated BSN program pages (same figure cited on both), traditional and accelerated graduates combined for a 97.64% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024. The UNMC nursing homepage separately cites a cumulative NCLEX pass rate as of 12/31/2023—definitions and cohorts differ, so treat those figures as distinct disclosures.
For program-level verification, Nebraska’s nursing licensure authority publishes education and examination information through Nebraska DHHS — Nursing. This page could not pull a live, school-specific first-time table from DHHS during drafting; review the Board’s latest nursing education reports when available and compare with UNMC’s consumer disclosures.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (combined Traditional + Accelerated BSN) | 97.64% (calendar year 2024, per UNMC program pages) |
| Source | UNMC Traditional BSN and Accelerated BSN program pages. Confirm current cohorts with UNMC and Nebraska DHHS Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting method. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Nebraska DHHS Nursing office and UNMC College of Nursing before making application decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
UNMC publishes separate English proficiency policies for undergraduate and graduate nursing applicants whose first language is not English (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores within five years, per catalog policies). Graduate applicants must also have non-U.S. nursing degrees evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
- English-language proficiency: Meet UNMC’s ESL thresholds for undergraduate or graduate nursing as listed in the catalog student policies.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: NursingCAS transcript procedures plus any international credential review UNMC requires for your degree.
- Nebraska DHHS Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, follow Nebraska’s licensure checklist and NCLEX eligibility rules.
- Immigration & visa: Confirm F-1 or other visa eligibility for your division and whether online or hybrid graduate courses meet your immigration status requirements.
- State authorization: UNMC’s graduate admissions page notes that some states may restrict admission; contact graduatenursing@unmc.edu if you live outside Nebraska.
This section is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice. Verify with UNMC Student Services, the International Office, and Nebraska DHHS.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UNMC undergraduate nursing admits through NursingCAS. Admission is competitive; the college weighs campus preference, prerequisite GPA, number of prerequisites completed, references, and personal essay responses. Accelerated BSN applicants also complete a faculty interview. A minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA on a 4.0 scale and grades of C or better in each prerequisite are required; active CNA certification is required before the program begins.
Application timeline
| Program | Opens / Due / Start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN — Fall (all divisions) | Opens Sep 1 · Due Feb 1 · Starts August | Per UNMC 2025–2026 catalog BSN Traditional section. |
| Traditional BSN — Spring (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha) | Opens Mar 1 · Due Jul 1 · Starts January | Scottsbluff Division not listed for spring entry in catalog excerpt reviewed. |
| Accelerated BSN | Opens Mar 1 · Due Jul 1 · Starts January | Prior bachelor’s degree required; interview required. |
| MSN / PGC / DNP (many specialties) | Opens Oct 1, 2025 · Priority Jan 15, 2026 · Final Apr 1, 2026 (August starts) | Rolling admissions announced beginning Oct 1, 2025, per graduate admissions page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum prerequisite GPA | 3.0 (undergraduate pathways, per UNMC how-to-apply) |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed as a blanket requirement on the UNMC undergraduate overview summarized here; confirm in NursingCAS for your cycle. |
| Graduate nursing GPA | 3.0 preferred; provisional review possible for 2.5–2.9 per graduate admissions page. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UNMC’s Board of Regents approves tuition rates each summer. The figures below come from the 2025–2026 UNMC catalog tuition and the Financial Aid Office Bachelor’s of Nursing 2025–2026 cost-of-attendance worksheet, which itemizes tuition, fees, health insurance assumptions, living allowances, and other program costs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensure BSN (sample Year 1 budget) | Resident tuition $445/credit hour; nonresident $1,198/credit hour on the COA worksheet (32 credits in Year 1 example). |
| RN-to-BSN (online) | $404/credit hour (2025–2026 CON RN-BSN distance rate, UNMC catalog tuition tables). |
| Total COA budgets | Year 1 resident total budget $48,015 and nonresident $72,115 on the sample BSN COA sheet (includes fees, living allowance, health insurance, books, etc.—not tuition alone). |
| Source | UNMC Catalog — Tuition; BSN COA 2025–2026; College of Nursing Tuition & Fees. Confirm billed charges in MyRecords. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
UNMC publishes several outcome snapshots on its marketing pages. The 97.64% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) for combined Traditional and Accelerated BSN graduates is cited above with attribution. UNMC’s prospective student pages also state that 78% of BSN graduates are employed in Nebraska (most recent data noted on the site) and reference national workforce projections.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 97.64% (Traditional + Accelerated combined, 2024, per UNMC BSN pages). Confirm current cohorts with UNMC and Nebraska DHHS. |
| Employment in Nebraska (BSN) | 78% of BSN graduates employed in Nebraska per UNMC prospective student “Fast Facts” (most recent data as stated on site). |
| Source | UNMC Traditional BSN; UNMC Prospective Students. |
Is UNMC the Right Fit for You?
UNMC fits students who want a public, research-intensive nursing school embedded in a medical center ecosystem (especially in Omaha) or who need a division closer to home in western or northern Nebraska. It may be less ideal if you need a single fixed campus in a small town without travel, or if you expect the lowest possible national tuition without aid—nonresident pre-licensure rates are high on the published COA.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value Nebraska Medicine–level academic medicine exposure in Omaha or rural-focused rotations from Scottsbluff, Kearney, or Norfolk divisions.
- Can meet NursingCAS deadlines, prerequisite science coursework, and CNA certification before the clinical start.
- Want APRN or DNP preparation with specialty tracks UNMC emphasizes (e.g., Women’s Health NP, rural-serving ENP certificate).
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need guaranteed placement at a single hospital system before enrollment—clinical sites vary by division and cohort.
- Cannot relocate or commute to the assigned division for on-campus intensives or simulation.
- Expect open admissions; UNMC states competitive review and may waitlist graduate specialties.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Omaha Division students train with Nebraska Medicine—UNMC’s primary clinical partner—including cardiovascular, neuroscience, transplant, and oncology services at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. Elsewhere in the state, UNMC lists employers such as Faith Regional, Regional West Medical Center, CHI Health facilities, Kearney Regional Medical Center, Bryan Health, and Methodist Health System hospitals as examples of where graduates work.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Nebraska Medicine | Primary Omaha academic partner for UNMC; includes Level 1 trauma and high-acuity specialty units referenced on UNMC Omaha Division pages. |
| Children’s Hospital & Medical Center (Omaha) | Listed among MSN employers; supports pediatric clinical experiences for appropriate tracks. |
| Omaha VA Medical Center | Named on UNMC graduate employer lists; common site for VA-aligned rotations depending on program. |
| Rural & regional hospitals | West Nebraska, Kearney, and Norfolk divisions tie into regional facilities serving agricultural and rural communities across the state. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
UNMC stresses simulation and skills labs, interprofessional learning with other health professions students, and student life events on the Omaha campus. The Omaha Division notes white coat ceremonies, poster presentations, and access to the Niedfelt Nursing Research Center, Center for Chronic Illness Self-Management & Prevention, and Morehead Center for Nursing Practice. Each division hosts its own student services contacts—use UNMC’s Student Services by Division directory for advisors.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location (Omaha Division)
- Campus location
- Omaha, NE
- Address
- 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5330, US
- Telephone
- 402-559-4110 (Student Services)
- Graduate nursing
- graduatenursing@unmc.edu · 402-559-4120
- Website
- UNMC College of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open a NursingCAS account and select the correct UNMC program/campus for your pathway.
- Download the Traditional BSN and Accelerated BSN admission pages from the catalog for deadline dates.
- Review the 17-course prerequisite list and map remaining credits against your transcripts.
- Schedule CNA certification if you have not yet met UNMC’s active CNA requirement before enrollment.
- Estimate net cost using the BSN COA worksheet and FAFSA timelines.
- Prepare essay prompts and professional references required by NursingCAS.
- Bookmark Nebraska DHHS Nursing for licensure by examination steps after graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCLEX-RN outcome does UNMC College of Nursing publish for pre-licensure graduates?
UNMC’s Traditional and Accelerated BSN pages report a 97.64% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for traditional and accelerated graduates combined in 2024 (school-reported). The nursing homepage also cites a cumulative NCLEX figure as of 12/31/2023—definitions differ. Confirm with UNMC and Nebraska DHHS.
What tuition does UNMC publish for undergraduate nursing (2025–2026)?
The BSN COA 2025–2026 sheet lists $445/credit hour resident and $1,198/credit hour nonresident tuition for the sample budget, plus fees and living costs. The catalog lists RN-BSN at $404/credit hour for 2025–2026.
What are NursingCAS deadlines for UNMC Traditional BSN fall and spring starts?
Per the catalog: fall starts—opens September 1, due February 1; spring starts (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha)—opens March 1, due July 1.
How does the UNMC Accelerated BSN differ from the Traditional BSN?
Accelerated BSN applicants must already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, apply through NursingCAS with a July 1 deadline for a January start, and complete a faculty interview. The program compresses the nursing curriculum into about 12 months.
Is UNMC College of Nursing CCNE-accredited?
UNMC’s BSN and MSN pages state accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) with contact information listed. Verify current status with CCNE and UNMC.
Where are UNMC nursing divisions located?
UNMC operates divisions in Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Kearney, and Norfolk. Accelerated BSN is offered on Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Norfolk; Traditional BSN spring entry is available in Kearney, Lincoln, and Omaha.
Does UNMC require TEAS scores for undergraduate nursing?
UNMC’s public undergraduate how-to-apply summary emphasizes NursingCAS materials, prerequisite GPA, CNA certification before start, essays, and references; it does not list TEAS as a blanket requirement in the pages summarized here. Confirm your cycle in NursingCAS.
What graduate programs does UNMC offer beyond the MSN?
UNMC offers post-graduate certificates, DNP pathways (including BSN-to-DNP for selected specialties), and a PhD in Nursing through Graduate Studies, per UNMC program pages.
Where should internationally educated nurses verify Nebraska licensure?
Use UNMC’s ESL and graduate admission policies for institutional requirements and Nebraska DHHS Nursing for RN licensure steps. This is guidance only—not legal advice.
References
- UNMC College of Nursing — homeunmc.edu/nursing
- UNMC — Traditional BSN (NCLEX 2024 figure)unmc.edu/nursing/academic-programs/traditional-bsn
- UNMC — Accelerated BSNunmc.edu/nursing/academic-programs/accelerated-bsn
- UNMC Catalog — BSN Traditional admission datescatalog.unmc.edu/…/tbsn
- UNMC Catalog — BSN Accelerated admission datescatalog.unmc.edu/…/absn
- UNMC Catalog — Tuition 2025–2026catalog.unmc.edu/general-information/tuition
- UNMC Financial Aid — BSN COA 2025–2026unmc.edu/…/bsn_25_26.html
- Nebraska DHHS — Nursing licensuredhhs.ne.gov/licensure/…/Nursing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.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 NCLEX sourcing, tuition alignment with UNMC catalog and COA materials, and program-list accuracy against UNMC.
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 the institution and Nebraska DHHS Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy