Become a Nurse in Nebraska – Licensure & Requirements

Nebraska Nursing Salaries

Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Nebraska in January 2020.

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Nebraska. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Nebraska, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Nebraska nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Nebraska, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

Nebraska is a Nursing Licensure Compact state.

Prescriptive Authority in Nebraska

Nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives may apply for prescriptive authority in collaboration with a physician as well as provide samples of medications.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Nebraska

APRNs in Nebraska include certified nurse midwife (APRN-CNM), clinical nurse specialist (APRN-CNS), certified registered nurse anesthetist (APRN-CRNA), and nurse practitioner (APRN-NP).

Education: Master’s Degree in Relevant Nursing Field

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Fees:

• $68 Application Fee
• $45.25 Criminal Background Check
• Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)

Experience: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required: National Certification in Nursing Specialty

Additional Information: An Active Nebraska Registered Nurse License Is Required for Application

Renewal: APRN renewal fee is $68. Continuing education requirements include the following:

• Proof of national certification/recertification
• Completion of an APRN program in the previous five years or practice as an APRN in a specific advanced practice role in the last five years;
• Completion of at least 2,080 hours of practice as an APRN in the last five years, 500 hours of which must be in a clinical role in which there is a direct nurse-patient relationship;
• Provide proof of at least 40 contact hours of continuing education (CE) in your clinical specialty within the last two years, of which 10 contact hours must be in pharmacotherapeutics.

Nurse midwives are exempt from continuing education unit (CEU) requirements, but a letter of reference from a licensed practitioner or certified nurse midwife (CNM) must be on file. This letter must address competency to practice as a CNM in order to renew the license. There are no specific continuing education requirements for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in Nebraska, although the Council on Certification/Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists requires continuing education and practice.

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Nebraska

Education: Two to four years of education at a college, hospital, or university in an approved nursing program.

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

• $123 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee
• $45.25 Criminal Background Check

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $123 application fee. Registered nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Nebraska, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Nebraska.

Renewal: RNs must submit the renewal notice, attest to having met the requirements of continued competency, and pay the renewal fee of $123. Each applicant for renewal is required to report any conviction for a misdemeanor or felony since the last renewal. Applicants are also required to report any discipline against any health care professional license in this state (other than nursing) or any health care professional license in any other state since the last renewal period.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Nebraska

Education: Nine months to one year of education in an approved nursing program.

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

• $123 Application Fee
• $200 Examination Fee
• $45.25 Criminal Background Check
• $68 Optional LPN-Certified Fee

Additional Information: Individuals currently holding an lpn license may apply to take the LPN-Certified (LPN-C) exam if they have successfully completed an approved certification course in the past year.

Endorsement: Individuals with equivalent licensure in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to a $123 application fee. licensed practical nurses who hold an active license in another compact state need not apply for licensure in Nebraska, unless they plan to change their permanent residency to Nebraska.

Renewal: All LPN licenses expire on October 31 of each odd-numbered year. Fee is $123, and renewal requirements are the same as the RN.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information on the above nursing careers in Nebraska was retrieved from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – Nurse Licensing, as of January 2020.