RN-to-MSN Programs in Nebraska – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
As an RN in Nebraska with an associate degree, do you want to optimize the investment you’re making in your nursing education? Enrolling in one of the RN-to-MSN programs in Nebraska will save you time and money! By streamlining your nursing education, you’ll shave one or two years off the time it would take to earn a BSN and an MSN separately. Your degree will prepare you to assume professional roles with greater responsibility, for which you will be paid an average of $118,580 yearly. You can expect employment opportunities within the next 10 years for RN-to-MSN grads in the Cornhusker State to rise by 36 percent. Find out more by reading this list of the best RN-to-MSN programs in Nebraska.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RN-TO-MSN PROGRAMS IN NEBRASKA(ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best RN-to-MSN Programs in Nebraska (Online & Campus) for 20261. Nebraska Methodist College - Omaha
Specialties Offered: Nurse Executive, Nursing Informatics, and Nurse Educator
Program Details: Are you a Registered Nurse with an associate degree ready to move beyond bedside practice? Have you considered earning a master’s degree but prefer not to earn a bachelor’s degree first? If so, Nebraska Methodist College could be the place to go to achieve your goals. At NMC, you will find one of the best RN-to-MSN programs in Nebraska with the option to specialize in one of three concentrations: Nurse Executive, Nursing Informatics, or Nurse Educator. Currently, the school admits new students to these programs each spring and fall semester.
The Nurse Executive pathway is focused on leadership, management, finance, and organizational strategy. The Nursing Informatics program combines nursing knowledge with information technology, data, and clinical information systems. The Nurse Educator track prepares nurses for teaching in academic and healthcare settings.
The RN-to-MSN program features an online format, which makes it a great option for working nurses who need flexibility. You can complete the program in approximately 36 months. The RN-to-MSN pathway does not award a BSN along the way. Instead, eligible RNs complete undergraduate bridge coursework and subsequently transition directly into graduate nursing courses. This makes the pathway different from a conventional RN-to-BSN-to-MSN sequence.
All MSN students complete a total of 57 credits. The curriculum plans for the RN-to-MSN program include 18 semester credits of undergraduate bridge coursework from classes focused on population health, research, statistics, and health assessment. After completing the bridge coursework, you will transition to graduate-level coursework to accomplish an additional 39 credits relevant to your chosen specialty.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the RN-to-MSN program at Nebraska Methodist College, you must be a graduate of an associate degree or diploma RN state-approved program or a program accredited by the ACEN, CNEA, or NLN and have a current, unencumbered RN license. You are required to complete the NMC online nursing application and submit a resume and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you previously attended. All candidates must have completed at least 54 undergraduate credit hours before enrolling in the program. Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are preferred. However, candidates with a GPA less than 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Nebraska Methodist College RN-to-MSN Students
• At Nebraska Methodist College, the RN-to-MSN program offers five- and ten-week courses, which provide a more focused learning structure than traditional semester-long classes.• Earning your master’s degree should not cost a fortune. Nebraska Methodist College believes everyone should have an opportunity to pursue their professional and academic goals. The school offers competitive tuition rates as well as grants and scholarships.
• The nursing faculty at Nebraska Methodist College are experienced and have credentials in diverse nursing fields. As a student in the RN-to-MSN program, you will benefit from their real-world insight as they share their personal and professional experiences.
• One of my favorite things about nursing is that there are so many options for nurses who want to further their education or broaden their scope of practice. In my experience, I have seen many nurses who transition from clinical roles to non-clinical roles, especially as they become more experienced or closer to retirement age. Nebraska Methodist College’s RN-to-MSN program is an example of how nurses can earn a graduate degree in one of three non-clinical roles, allowing them to continue working in a new career path while still serving others and contributing to nursing.
2. Bryan College of Health Sciences - Lincoln
Specialties Offered: Nurse Leadership and Nurse Educator
Program Details: If you are a Registered Nurse interested in moving your career in the direction of nursing leadership or nursing education, Bryan College of Health Sciences is a school worth considering. This RN-to-MSN program in Nebraska offers RNs with an associate degree and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree the opportunity to earn a graduate nursing credential. The program admits new students twice each year in the fall and spring semesters, and takes an average of two years to complete, including summer semesters.
Students complete RN-MSN bridge courses, but BCHS does not award a baccalaureate nursing degree as part of the pathway. The program is designed as an entry option for practicing RNs seeking to transition into graduate nursing education, rather than as a traditional RN-to-BSN-to-MSN program. The program offers a distance-learning format that combines synchronous video class sessions with online and independent learning.
Both the Nurse Leadership and Nurse Educator RN-to-MSN pathways at Bryan College of Health Sciences feature a 36-credit curriculum plan. The program begins with bridge coursework, followed by graduate courses in statistics, research, theoretical foundations, technology, evidence-based practice, and informatics. Specialty courses are then incorporated into the plan before you complete your second practicum and capstone work.
Admission Requirements: To be considered an eligible candidate for admission to the RN-to-MSN program at Bryan College of Health Sciences, you must have an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, a current, unrestricted RN license in the state where you will complete the practicum requirements, and at least one year of work experience as a licensed Registered Nurse. You are required to create an online account and complete an online application. Supplemental documentation, including letters of recommendation, a resume, a professional goals statement, a writing sample, and transcripts from all colleges or universities you attended, are also required. Transcripts need to reflect a minimum cumulative college grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. In some cases, provisional admission may be considered for candidates with a GPA below 3.0.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Bryan College of Health Sciences RN-to-MSN Students
• As a nurse educator, I realize how important it is for students to have access to faculty. One of the things I appreciate about the RN-to-MSN program at Bryan College of Health Sciences is that, although coursework is online, many classes are synchronous, affording ample opportunities to interact with faculty.• The decision to pursue a graduate degree in nursing is not one to be taken lightly. I recommend that prospective students research schools carefully before committing to one. You should look for a program with high retention and graduation rates, which are excellent indicators of student satisfaction and success. For instance, BCHS reports that nearly 90% of students in its nursing program graduate within the recommended time.
• Another reason Bryan College of Health Sciences is considered a great choice when searching for RN-to-MSN programs in Nebraska is that all classes are taught by award-winning faculty. Many faculty have contributed to nursing research, are published authors, and hold more than one specialty certification. What this means for you as a student is that you will learn from instructors who have dedicated their careers to furthering the nursing profession and who strive to help you succeed.