Nebraska Online NP Programs

“Nurse practitioner programs in Nebraska prepare NP students to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care through rigorous education and quality clinical experiences.”

Amy Ford, DNP, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing

Nebraska is experiencing a growing demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) as healthcare needs increase across the state. With vast rural areas and limited access to primary care providers, nurse practitioners play a crucial role in delivering essential healthcare services to underserved communities. 

To meet this demand, educational institutions in Nebraska offer online NP programs that provide flexibility for working nurses to advance their careers without the need to relocate. These programs combine rigorous academic coursework with clinical experiences, preparing graduates to effectively address the state’s diverse healthcare needs.

The importance of expanding the NP workforce in Nebraska is underscored by employment projections from CareerOneStop.org (2025). In 2022, there were 1,790 nurse practitioners employed in the state, and this number is expected to rise to 2,430 by 2032. This represents a 36 percent increase over the next decade.

NP Openings in Nebraska (2022-2032)
Source : CareerOneStop (2025)

This significant growth underscores the crucial role of online NP programs in equipping healthcare professionals to meet the evolving needs of Nebraska’s population. 

By offering accessible and flexible education pathways, Nebraska’s online nurse practitioner programs are instrumental in strengthening the state’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that quality care is available to all residents.

Meet the Experts: Amy Ford, DNP, APRN-NP, WHNP-BC

Amy-Ford

Dr. Amy Ford is an assistant professor and the MSN and interim DNP program director at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing.

With over 18 years in women’s health and 16 years in nursing education, Dr. Ford advances graduate nursing programs, coordinates advanced practice courses, and mentors DNP projects. Her scholarly work focuses on integrating telehealth and AI in advanced health assessment education. Recognized for her contributions to nursing education, Dr. Ford has received several honors, including the “40 Under 40” award in 2016 and UNMC’s Silver U Award in 2024.

NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about nurse practitioner programs?

Dr. Ford: Nurse practitioner programs in Nebraska prepare NP students to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care through rigorous education and quality clinical experiences. 

Nurse practitioners are highly skilled and compassionate healthcare providers who play a vital role in the health of Nebraska’s residents, particularly in primary care. They work alongside physicians, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals to fill critical gaps in care, particularly in rural and underserved areas of Nebraska. Nurse practitioners complete advanced degrees (MSN, DNP, or PhD) and must pass board certification to be licensed and practice as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). 

With this preparation, they are fully qualified to assist the healthcare team in diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide variety of healthcare conditions. Supporting NP programs is essential to ensure that we have enough providers to deliver timely, high-quality care to all Nebraskans, care that our communities need and deserve.

NPSchools.com: What advice would you give aspiring nurse practitioner program students? 

Dr. Ford:  Advice for aspiring nurse practitioner students is to approach this journey with dedication, resilience, and passion for patient care. You will need strong time management skills to balance the demands of the rigorous program, work, and personal life effectively. There are many resources to help you complete your goal of becoming a nurse practitioner, so be sure to seek out a mentor and fully utilize your student resources. At times, you may struggle and question your path, but remember your purpose and lean into faculty. They are there to help you succeed. 

Stay curious, commit to lifelong learning, and trust in your ability to grow as a healthcare professional. Your hard work will not only help you achieve your personal goals but will also enable you to provide a tremendous service to your community. 

Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Nebraska (Ranked by In-State Tuition) 

School Degrees Specializations Programs & Tuition Programs Tuition
(in-state)
Clarkson College
  • DNP
  • MSN
  • AGNP
  • FNP
  • PMHNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP – $24,420
  • Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner – $24,420
  • Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP – $25,900
  • Show More Programs (+)
  • MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP – $36,260
  • MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – $36,260
  • MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – $37,740
  • MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (ADN bridge) – $59,074
  • MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (ADN bridge) – $59,074
  • BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP) – $59,867
  • BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP FNP) – $59,867
  • MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (ADN bridge) – $60,554
  • BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP) – $61,347
  • Show Fewer Programs (-)
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP $24,420
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $24,420
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP $25,900
Show More Programs (+)
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP $36,260
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $36,260
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $37,740
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (ADN bridge) $59,074
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (ADN bridge) $59,074
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP) $59,867
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP FNP) $59,867
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (ADN bridge) $60,554
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP) $61,347
Show Fewer Programs (-)
Nebraska Methodist College
  • DNP
  • AGNP
  • CNS
  • FNP
  • BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (BSN to DNP AGCNS) – $63,750
  • BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (BSN to DNP AGPCNP) – $63,750
  • BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP FNP) – $63,750
  • Show Fewer Programs (-)
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (BSN to DNP AGCNS) $63,750
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (BSN to DNP AGPCNP) $63,750
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP FNP) $63,750
Show Fewer Programs (-)

NP Practice Authority in Nebraska

StateBoard of NursingPractice ActPrescriptive AuthorityDetails & Resources
NebraskaNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesNebraska Nursing Regulations & Statutes (including NP Act)Must complete 2,000 hours of clinical practice in a transition-to-practice collaborative agreement In order to prescribe Schedule 2-5 controlled substances, DEA registration is required.

How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Nebraska?

United StatesNebraska
Number of NPs Employed307,3902,150
Average Salary$132,000$127,950
10th Percentile$97,960$100,810
25th Percentile$109,940$111,980
50th Percentile (Median)$129,210$127,930
75th Percentile$149,570$137,680
90th Percentile$169,950$161,800
Source: BLS May (2024)—the latest data available as of June 2025

Nearby States with Affordable Online NP Programs

Kimmy Gustafson

Kimmy Gustafson

Writer

Among her many diverse writing endeavors, Kimmy Gustafson has also lent her expertise to NPSchools.com since 2020, providing insightful and engaging content about the significant role of education in shaping our future generations of nurse practitioners. Many of her pieces include interviewing experts on timely topics such as healthcare workplace violence and moral distress.

Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.