Nebraska has two in-state PNP schools: Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Together they offer Primary Care, Acute Care, and dual Primary and Acute Care preparation.
Creighton is Mostly Online with required Omaha campus trips. UNMC is Hybrid, tied to five Nebraska campuses. Neither program is fully online.
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton | Dual (PC/AC); Acute Care | Mostly Online | Required Omaha campus trips; count varies by track | $1,050 | DNP, Certificate | Experienced pediatric RNs seeking a doctorate and both PNCB exams |
| UNMC | Primary Care; Dual (PC/AC) | Hybrid | Hybrid coursework tied to campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Kearney, and Norfolk | $716 (resident) | MSN, Certificate | Nebraska residents seeking a lower-cost MSN or certificate |
Nebraska PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 2 in-state (Creighton and UNMC)
- Primary Care available: Yes. Standalone at UNMC; at Creighton only within the dual BSN-to-DNP.
- Acute Care available: Yes. Standalone at Creighton; at UNMC only within the dual track.
- MSN available: Yes, BSN-to-MSN at UNMC only. No RN-to-MSN entry point in Nebraska.
- DNP available: Yes, BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP at Creighton only.
- Certificate available: Yes, at both schools.
- Format: Mostly Online (Creighton); Hybrid (UNMC)
- Start dates: Three per year at Creighton; August only at UNMC.
- Accreditation: CCNE at both schools.
- Lowest published in-state tuition: About $14K, UNMC post-graduate certificate (resident rate, shortest plan).
Choosing a PNP Program in Nebraska
Doctorate and Dual Certification: Creighton
Creighton is Nebraska’s only source of a pediatric DNP. Its 70–71 credit BSN-to-DNP prepares graduates for both the CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC exams, with 1,200 clinical hours. The trade-off is a steep entry gate: 2,000 hours of pediatric RN experience, with no more than 500 neonatal hours counted. Three start terms per year add scheduling flexibility.
Standalone Acute Care for APRNs: Creighton
Creighton is the only in-state school offering acute care on its own, through a 16-credit certificate or an MSN-to-DNP. APRNs adding inpatient pediatrics have one in-state route. Certificate students arrange their own preceptors, and placement requests are due up to four months before the term.
Lower Resident Tuition and the Only MSN: UNMC
UNMC’s $716 resident rate produces the lowest estimates in Nebraska, and it is the state’s only master’s option. Its dual MSN adds acute care for 12 credits beyond the Primary Care track. The trade-offs: one August start per year, and no published clinical hour totals or placement policy.
Clinical Hours and Placement: Ask Both Schools
Creighton publishes clinical hours for every track but confirms its placement model only for the certificate. UNMC publishes neither. Its dual MSN carries 16 clinical credits versus 10 in the Primary Care track, so expect substantially more hours. Get totals and placement policy in writing before applying.
Nebraska BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
UNMC is Nebraska’s only BSN-to-MSN PNP option. It offers a 51-credit Primary Care MSN and a 63-credit dual Primary and Acute Care MSN. Both follow 3- or 4-year plans of study and admit once a year, with applications due April 1 for an August start.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNMC | Primary Care | $37K (resident) | 3–4 years | Not clearly stated |
| UNMC | Dual (PC/AC) | $45K (resident) | 3–4 years | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UNMC Primary Care MSN, the least expensive degree pathway in Nebraska.
- Only Acute Care option: UNMC’s dual MSN is the only master’s route to CPNP-AC eligibility in the state.
- Campus requirement: UNMC’s Hybrid format is tied to its five Nebraska campuses.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Nebraska BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
Creighton offers Nebraska’s only BSN-to-DNP PNP pathway. Its 70–71 credit dual track prepares graduates for both PNCB exams. Full-time and part-time plans are available, with start terms in August, January, and May. Applicants need a BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton | Dual (PC/AC) | $74K–$75K | Not clearly stated | 1,200 |
- Experience requirement: Creighton requires 2,000 hours of pediatric direct-care RN experience before the first clinical course.
- Campus requirement: Creighton requires Omaha campus trips; the number is not published.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Nebraska MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
Creighton’s MSN-to-DNP is the state’s only post-master’s doctoral PNP route. It pairs a 26–28 credit DNP core with the 16-credit acute care certificate. An advisor builds each plan after transcript review, so credits and clinical hours may increase. Primary Care and dual preparation are not offered at this entry point.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton | Acute Care | $45K–$47K | Not clearly stated | 525 minimum |
- Only Acute Care option: Creighton offers acute care only at the MSN entry point; no Primary Care or dual MSN-to-DNP exists in Nebraska.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Nebraska Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
Both schools admit APRNs adding a pediatric population. Creighton offers acute care only, with rotations starting in the first term. UNMC offers Primary Care and dual Primary and Acute Care certificates. A faculty gap analysis sets each UNMC plan, so credits, cost, and length vary with prior coursework.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton | Acute Care | $17K | Not clearly stated | 525 |
| UNMC | Primary Care | $14K–$21K (resident) | 1–2 years (up to 3 part-time) | Not clearly stated |
| UNMC | Dual (PC/AC) | $14K–$21K (resident) | 1–2 years (up to 3 part-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UNMC resident certificate plans start near $14K, depending on the gap analysis.
- Only Acute Care option: Creighton offers the only standalone acute care certificate; UNMC includes acute care only within its dual certificate.
- Experience requirement: UNMC prefers at least one year of full-time RN experience and values pediatric experience. Creighton requires a graduate nursing degree with an advanced practice focus.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Other Online PNP Programs for Nebraska Nurses
Nurses who want a different format or more start dates can also compare Maryville University, Rasmussen University, and Walden University, which list online PNP programs for Nebraska nurses.
Maryville University PNP Programs
St. Louis | $900 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / DNP
Maryville University provides 100% online PNP degree and certificate options for Nebraska nurses across MSN, BSN-to-DNP, DNP-NP, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks with six annual start dates. Featuring no GRE requirement and local clinical placement flexibility, the tracks require 750 clinical hours focused on health promotion, well-child care, and complex pediatric condition management. Billed at $900 to $995 per credit hour, Maryville prepares Nebraska practitioners for high national board certification pass rates while advancing their clinical expertise.
Rasmussen University PNP Programs
Bloomington | $925 cpc | Certificate / BSN to MSN
Rasmussen University delivers MSN-NP and Post-Graduate Certificate options in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP) practice through a flexible online competency-based model accessible to Nebraska healthcare providers. Combining self-paced coursework with four local community-based practicums and a single on-campus weekend residency, the curriculum allows Nebraska nurses to manage their studies without weekly deadline constraints. Spanning 21 to 27 months with total estimated costs ranging from $29,670 to $51,680, these CCNE-accredited programs prepare graduates for pediatric board certification.
Walden University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Minneapolis | $785 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / RN to MSN
Walden University offers online DNP, MSN, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks in Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) practice tailored for registered nurses in Nebraska. Operating on a quarter-credit schedule, the programs feature virtual skills labs, case-based reviews, and Practicum Pledge® field placement support to aid Nebraska students with local clinical pairings. With estimated tuition spanning from ~$35,690 for the certificate to ~$76,415 for the DNP, Nebraska RNs can gain specialized expertise in child development, acute and chronic condition management, and advanced health promotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Nebraska?
Two schools: Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Between them they offer seven pediatric tracks across MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate levels.
Does Nebraska offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. Creighton offers acute care as a standalone MSN-to-DNP or certificate, and within its dual BSN-to-DNP. UNMC offers acute care only within its dual MSN and dual certificate.
Are any Nebraska PNP programs fully online?
No. Creighton is Mostly Online with required Omaha campus trips; the number varies by track and is not published. UNMC is Hybrid, with coursework tied to its five Nebraska campuses.
Which Nebraska PNP program has the lowest estimated tuition?
UNMC’s post-graduate certificate, starting near $14K at the resident rate. Among degrees, UNMC’s Primary Care MSN is lowest at about $37K. Creighton’s lowest-cost option is its $17K acute care certificate.
Which Nebraska schools offer a DNP?
Only Creighton, through a dual BSN-to-DNP or an acute care MSN-to-DNP. UNMC’s PNP options are MSN and certificate level.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
It depends on preceptor access. Creighton certificate students arrange their own preceptors; the DNP policy is not clearly stated. UNMC does not state a placement model, though its five campuses span the state. Request placement policy in writing before applying.
Which Nebraska PNP program offers the most start dates?
Creighton, with August, January, and May starts. UNMC admits once a year for August, with applications open October 1 through April 1.