Best LPN Programs in Nebraska

Details on Nebraska LPN Schools & Classes

If you are looking to enter the healthcare arena as an LPN in Nebraska, you are in luck. There are more than 10 community colleges, vocational programs, and private schools across the state that offer practical nursing programs. Most of them can be completed in one to two years, depending on part-time or full-time attendance. The LPN curriculum at most Nebraska schools includes both didactic and clinical learning experiences. Course titles may include the following:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology
• Nursing Care Concepts
• Holistic Health Concepts
• Introduction to Pharmacology
• Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing
• Maternal-Child Practical Nursing
• Psychosocial Concepts in Practical Nursing

Accreditation

One of the smartest decisions a prospective student can make is choosing a properly accredited LPN program. This type of program signifies quality and is held to high standards through agencies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Smaller, regional organizations may also offer accreditation. Additionally, students can opt for programs endorsed by the Nebraska Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

Before applying to any LPN program, you must ensure that you meet or exceed all entrance requirements. While these may fluctuate slightly from school to school, they often include:

• High school graduate; may need to supply GPA and transcripts
• Satisfactory ACT scores
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Personal interview
• Background check
• Submission of completed application and associated fees

Tuition and Costs

Most potential LPN students are concerned about how much their program will cost. All schools will have their own set of fees, but students can generally expect to pay for tuition, supplies (including textbooks), and other mandatory expenses. Financial aid, loans, and scholarships are options for those who are worried about covering the costs of their LPN program. To provide an example, the total cost of the LPN program through Southeast Community College, with campuses located in Beatrice and Lincoln, is estimated at roughly $6,000. This includes all applicable fees and materials, but does not include room and board.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Nebraska LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

Nebraska LPN Licensing Requirements

To become an LPN in Nebraska, individuals must be attend a state-approved nursing program, lasting 9 months to 1 year. Once that is complete, he or she must sit and pass the NCLEX-PN exam—the required state-test to show proficiency. In order to receive state licensure, the applicant must submit an application to the state, including:

• Wallet sized photo
• Copy of birth certificate or lawful presence
• Official transcript from state-approved nursing program (sent directly from education source)

Nebraska LPN licenses expire October 31^st of every odd-numbered year and require 20 contact hours continued education for renewal.

NCLEX Exam Information

Before a practical nursing program graduate can receive licensure, they must first sit for and pass the NCLEX-PN examination. LPN program coursework should prepare students for this important exam. For more information, an overview of the NCLEX-PN can be found here. For students who want to go the extra mile, an NCLEX-PN practice test is available to help students prepare and study.

LPN Reciprocity and NLC

Nebraska is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses from other states that are also members of the eNLC to practice within its borders without additional licensing. LPNs from states outside of the compact area can apply for a Nebraska license by endorsement by including the following with their application:

• Official transcripts from their state-approved nursing program.
• Proof of license in another state and having passed the NCLEX.
• Proof of age and citizenship.
• Must have graduated from a state-approved program within the last 2 years or practiced 500 hours nursing within the past 5 years.

Individuals who've studied abroad and hold licensing in other countries must not only provide the items above, but they must also submit the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation of a completed a full course-by-course review and English proficiency testing results. The applicant must also sit for and pass the NCLEX exam if he or she hasn’t already.

LPN Salary in Nebraska

The table below lists career information obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for licensed practical nurses in Nebraska. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)