Can graduating from one of the FNP programs in Nebraska really enhance your professional nursing options? Yes! Family nurse practitioners are highly sought after in the Cornhusker State, and their employment opportunities are projected to soar by an additional 36 percent within the next 10 years. Nebraska healthcare employers prize FNPs for their versatility within the primary healthcare sector; in coordination with other medical professionals, they can perform physical exams, order diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications. FNPs in Nebraska are compensated handsomely for their services, too, with an annual salary averaging $120,850. Find out more by reviewing this list of the 4 best FNP programs in Nebraska.
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 4 best campus-based and online FNP programs in Nebraska.)
MSN Program Details: Are you a registered nurse with dreams of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner? Perhaps the thought crossed your mind but spending several years in school to earn a doctorate is not feasible for you. If so, there is no need to worry! There are many options available for nurses like you! For example, if you live in or near Nebraska, the MSN-FNP program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center could help you accomplish your dream without committing to years of school.
The MSN program, which is one of the best FNP programs in Nebraska, admits students once per year in the fall semester. The program combines didactic instruction with laboratory simulations, and clinical practicum experiences.
The MSN pathway features a 50-credit curriculum with classes, including Foundations of Theories & Evidence-Based Practice, Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning Across the Lifespan, and Pharmacotherapeutics for the Advanced Practice Nurse.
The program includes 540 clinical hours, which you will complete at various primary healthcare facilities. When possible, you may be able to fulfill clinical practicum requirements in or near your home community. Program faculty will guide you in arranging schedules, sites, and preceptors for your clinical experiences.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program at UNMC admits students in the fall of each academic year. You may choose to follow a three-year or four-year plan of study, including summer sessions. The program features instructor-led lectures, laboratory simulations, and intensives, and precepted clinical practicum experiences.
The program is a 68-credit pathway. The curriculum includes core courses such as Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Nursing Practice, Transformational Leadership & Complex Systems, and Foundations of Population-Based Health Policy. Additionally, the program includes clinical courses complemented by clinical practicum experiences. The BSN-to-DNP pathway has 660 hours of direct patient care clinicals embedded into the curriculum. Additionally, you will earn 360 clinical hours through the completion of a DNP Scholarly Project. The combination of patient care and Scholarly Project clinical hours aligns with the DNP Essentials, which recommend a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours for all doctoral nursing students.
Post-graduate Certificate Program Details: The post-graduate FNP certificate program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is designed to prepare nurses with a previous MSN or DNP for advanced practice in an additional specialty. The program offers start dates in the fall and spring semesters. You can complete the program in one to two years, depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time.
The program offers flexibility by designing an individualized plan of study based on your previous academic history, nursing experience, and career goals. Students typically complete between 20 and 30 credit hours. The actual number of credits you must complete will be determined by a GAP analysis, which is completed by a faculty advisor in the FNP program. Clinical practicums relevant to the family practice specialty are integrated into the curriculum, ensuring you have opportunities to broaden your knowledge and patient care skills, preparing you for the role of an FNP.
Post-graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: Admission to the post-graduate certificate program requires a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program with a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. In addition to completing an application through NursingCAS, you must provide official transcripts from any post-secondary school you have attended, three letters of recommendation, a current resume or curriculum vitae, and a personal statement. An interview with program faculty is conducted either in person or via electronic technology before an admission offer is made.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• I believe you can tell a lot about a nursing program based on its history and past performance. The University of Nebraska Medical Center has a long history of educating professional nurses dating back to 1917. Since the school’s first nursing program was introduced, the School of Nursing and its staff have been dedicated to strengthening the foundation of nursing education and leadership, building a tradition of nursing excellence, and continuing to prepare professional nurses to join the nursing workforce.BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program at Creighton University is another option for prospective students seeking a post-bachelor’s FNP program in Nebraska. The program offers three start dates per year and is available in a part-time or full-time format, which means you can choose to begin your studies at a time that is most convenient for you and at a pace that works best to meet your goals.
The DNP-FNP program is an online pathway that requires periodic scheduled campus visits. The 74-credit pathway features a sequence of courses covering three major content areas: core courses, support and/or role core courses, and advanced practice specialty role courses. Some of the classes in the curriculum include Health Promotion & Disease Prevention in the Gerontological Population, Child Care Management, Population-Based Health Care for Advanced Practice Nursing, and Health Care Policy & Law.
The BSN-to-DNP program includes 1,200 clinical hours, which are completed through five DNP Practicums and a DNP Residency. The DNP Practicums total 825 clinical hours involving direct patient care. The DNP residency includes 375 hours of the total clinical hours, including 175 direct patient care hours and 200 hours dedicated to implementing, evaluating, and disseminating the DNP Scholarly Project.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: Have you already earned a master’s or doctorate in nursing and now aspire to broaden your scope of practice by pursuing a new career path and becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner? If so, I recommend considering the post-graduate FNP program in Nebraska at Creighton University. The program admits students in the spring semester each year.
The FNP post-graduate certificate program requires you to complete 18 credits, which are earned through online specialty and role courses. 525 clinical hours are incorporated into the program. Clinical hours and courses may be adjusted based on your previous graduate coursework, as determined by a GAP analysis.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The FNP program in Nebraska at Creighton University is comprised of a group of dedicated faculty. Each faculty member maintains an active role in clinical practice, which means they bring real-life, up-to-date knowledge and experience to the classroom and clinicals so they can prepare you to broaden the scope of your practice as you prepare to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Nebraska Methodist College offers another option for baccalaureate-prepared nurses to pursue a terminal nursing degree and become Family Nurse Practitioners. The BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program is one of the top FNP programs in Nebraska. At NMC, you can choose to enroll as a full-time student and complete the program in as little as three years. However, if part-time study is more suited to your needs, you may choose that option. Part-time students typically take four to five years to complete the program. New classes are admitted in the fall of each year.
The BSN-to-DNP program is a 75-credit pathway, including 57 credits of didactic coursework and 18 clinical credits. Didactic coursework is delivered through synchronous and asynchronous online learning. Synchronous meetings via audio and video conferencing are scheduled for late afternoon and evening hours throughout the semester. Additionally, three campus visits are required during the program.
In the BSN-to-DNP FNP program, you will complete at least 1,080 preceptor-guided clinical contact hours. Students are responsible for identifying clinical sites and securing their own preceptors and obtaining approval from the Program Director. Your involvement in choosing your clinical sites and preceptors make it easier for you to complete the clinical component of your program in or near where you live and work.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Nebraska Methodist College offers several support services to students in the FNP program. For example, all students have access to a dedicated writing coach, an on-staff statistician, and the Director of Student Counseling. Ensuring you have access to these individuals and services is one way the school works to promote your success in the program and to help set your career on a positive trajectory.MSN Program Details: If you are searching for FNP programs in Nebraska, Clarkson College has some options I believe are worth considering. One Family Nurse Practitioner option offered at Clarkson College is the Master of Science in Nursing pathway. The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program admits new classes three times per year in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The fall semester typically has a summer application deadline, while the spring and summer semesters accept applications on a rolling basis until classes are filled.
Coursework for the MSN program is offered entirely online. However, you are required to complete on-campus visits, as determined by the Program Director. The MSN-FNP program at Clarkson College is a 49-semester hour program. In this pathway, you will study Concepts & Theories of Advanced Practice Nursing, Pharmacology for Practitioners, Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health, and Advanced Pathophysiology.
The MSN-FNP program includes 750 preceptor-supervised clinical hours. You will care for patients across the lifespan in various settings, including family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, obstetrics, medical-surgical care, long-term care, and community health settings.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Clarkson College also offers an opportunity for bachelor’s prepared nurses to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice and specialize as Family Nurse Practitioners. The BSN-to-DNP program offers a flexible online format and can be completed in 10 or 11 months full-time or at least 18 months part-time. With start dates in the fall, spring, and summer, you can choose a time to begin your studies that fits well with your personal schedule and career goals.
This BSN-to-DNP program features a curriculum that emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice and interprofessional education as it relates to family practice care. You will complete a 71-semester-credit curriculum with classes, including Preparing for Advanced Practice: Anatomy, Physiology, & Pathophysiology, Rural Health Care, Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare, and Biostatistics & Epidemiology.
The program includes 750 hours of direct patient care. You will earn additional clinical hours through the completion of a DNP Scholarly Project. By the time you complete the program, you will have accomplished at least 1,000 clinical practice hours.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you are a graduate-prepared RN desiring to enhance your career by gaining academic preparation as a Family Nurse Practitioner, the post-graduate certificate program at Clarkson College is an excellent option. The program admits students three times per year and is available with the option to enroll part-time or full-time. Part-time students complete the program in seven to 10 semesters, while full-time students typically take between four and seven semesters.
The post-graduate FNP program is a 33-credit pathway. Coursework is completed online. However, students are required to attend one weekend on campus to complete the Advanced Physical Assessment course. The curriculum covers courses, including Pharmacology for Practitioners, Primary Care of Women, and Theories & Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles. 650 clinical hours are incorporated into the curriculum. When possible, clinicals are arranged close to your hometown.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Clarkson College reports high retention and graduation rates among students in the FNP program. The school also reports graduates have excellent pass rates on national certification exams. These ratings are good indicators of the strength of the program, making the college a great choice for pursuing an FNP program in Nebraska.| Hourly | $42.71 |
| Weekly | $1,708 |
| Monthly | $7,400 |
| Annual | $88,840 |
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $42.71 | $1,708 | $7,400 | $88,840 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $48.33 | $1,933 | $8,380 | $100,520 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $57.04 | $2,282 | $9,890 | $118,650 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $63.53 | $2,541 | $11,010 | $132,140 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $75.92 | $3,037 | $13,160 | $157,910 |
| Hourly | $58.05 |
| Weekly | $2,322 |
| Monthly | $10,060 |
| Annual | $120,750 |
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Grand Island | $56.69 | $2,268 | $9,830 | $117,920 |
| Lincoln | $57.76 | $2,311 | $10,010 | $120,150 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs | $57.63 | $2,305 | $9,990 | $119,880 |
| Average Nebraska FNP Annual Salary | Average National FNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $120,750 | $127,510 | -$6,760 | -5.30% |
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $160,310 | -$39,560 | -24.68% |
| Nevada | $147,540 | -$26,790 | -18.16% |
| Washington | $144,290 | -$23,540 | -16.31% |
| New Jersey | $143,920 | -$23,170 | -16.10% |
| Oregon | $143,840 | -$23,090 | -16.05% |
| Massachusetts | $142,910 | -$22,160 | -15.51% |
| New York | $141,740 | -$20,990 | -14.81% |
| Connecticut | $135,940 | -$15,190 | -11.17% |
| New Mexico | $135,730 | -$14,980 | -11.04% |
| Minnesota | $133,980 | -$13,230 | -9.87% |
| District of Columbia | $133,820 | -$13,070 | -9.77% |
| Rhode Island | $132,440 | -$11,690 | -8.83% |
| Hawaii | $131,600 | -$10,850 | -8.24% |
| Arizona | $131,550 | -$10,800 | -8.21% |
| Delaware | $130,110 | -$9,360 | -7.19% |
| Iowa | $129,820 | -$9,070 | -6.99% |
| New Hampshire | $129,740 | -$8,990 | -6.93% |
| Texas | $129,020 | -$8,270 | -6.41% |
| Wisconsin | $127,350 | -$6,600 | -5.18% |
| Maryland | $127,010 | -$6,260 | -4.93% |
| Utah | $126,850 | -$6,100 | -4.81% |
| North Dakota | $126,790 | -$6,040 | -4.76% |
| Pennsylvania | $126,480 | -$5,730 | -4.53% |
| Illinois | $125,930 | -$5,180 | -4.11% |
| Alaska | $125,210 | -$4,460 | -3.56% |
| Vermont | $125,140 | -$4,390 | -3.51% |
| Montana | $123,690 | -$2,940 | -2.38% |
| Idaho | $123,600 | -$2,850 | -2.31% |
| Oklahoma | $123,380 | -$2,630 | -2.13% |
| Wyoming | $122,620 | -$1,870 | -1.53% |
| Indiana | $122,380 | -$1,630 | -1.33% |
| Maine | $122,000 | -$1,250 | -1.02% |
| Ohio | $121,930 | -$1,180 | -0.97% |
| Colorado | $121,060 | -$310 | -0.26% |
| Nebraska | $120,750 | $0 | 0.00% |
| North Carolina | $120,660 | +$90 | +0.07% |
| Georgia | $120,230 | +$520 | +0.43% |
| South Dakota | $120,060 | +$690 | +0.57% |
| Virginia | $119,950 | +$800 | +0.67% |
| Michigan | $119,760 | +$990 | +0.83% |
| Florida | $118,800 | +$1,950 | +1.64% |
| Kansas | $118,360 | +$2,390 | +2.02% |
| Louisiana | $117,760 | +$2,990 | +2.54% |
| Mississippi | $116,590 | +$4,160 | +3.57% |
| South Carolina | $116,050 | +$4,700 | +4.05% |
| Missouri | $115,790 | +$4,960 | +4.28% |
| West Virginia | $112,580 | +$8,170 | +7.26% |
| Arkansas | $112,550 | +$8,200 | +7.29% |
| Kentucky | $109,530 | +$11,220 | +10.24% |
| Alabama | $109,180 | +$11,570 | +10.60% |
| Tennessee | $102,930 | +$17,820 | +17.31% |
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $212,860 | -$92,110 | -43.27% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $120,750 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,780 | +$40,970 | +51.35% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $78,220 | +$42,530 | +54.37% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $56,120 | +$64,630 | +115.16% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,470 | +$82,280 | +213.88% |
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Podiatrist | $204,980 | -$84,230 | -41.09% |
| Dentist | $167,990 | -$47,240 | -28.12% |
| Radiation Therapist | $136,510 | -$15,760 | -11.54% |
| Pharmacist | $130,120 | -$9,370 | -7.20% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,330 | -$5,580 | -4.42% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $120,750 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Optometrist | $118,120 | +$2,630 | +2.23% |
| Veterinarian | $95,040 | +$25,710 | +27.05% |
| Audiologist | $91,530 | +$29,220 | +31.92% |
| Physical Therapist | $90,870 | +$29,880 | +32.88% |
| Occupational Therapist | $87,710 | +$33,040 | +37.67% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,660 | +$38,090 | +46.08% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,080 | +$40,670 | +50.79% |
| Chiropractor | $72,260 | +$48,490 | +67.10% |
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
| 4 |
| $58.05 |
| $2,322 |
| $10,060 |
| $120,750 |
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +35.75% |




Darby Faubion BSN, RN