Are you considering a career in healthcare? Seeking an affordable yet rigorous nursing education? If so, Omaha offers excellent two-year pathway options with strong career prep and job placement.
As your resident nursing program expert, I‘ve prepared this in-depth guide to help kickstart your research into top local schools. Let‘s explore what accelerated nursing education entails, key programs in the city, insider advice from recent grads, and everything you need to find the perfect fit!
What is a 2-Year Nursing Degree?
Nursing students have several efficient education options, including 1-year licensure/certification courses plus more advanced 2-4 year degree programs.
Two-year nursing degrees – usually Associate‘s level – provide accelerated RN licensure and career qualification in just 4-8 academic terms. Coursework combines scientific foundations with extensive clinical rotations through the two years. Programs typically include:
- Prerequisite general education credits
- Core nursing classes and labs
- 600-1000+ hours of supervised clinical experience
- Preparation for RN licensing exams
With concentrated training tailored for nursing practice, graduates enter the healthcare field ready to provide skilled patient care in diverse settings. Two-year degrees offer quicker workforce entry than four-year Bachelor‘s programs. Many nurses later pursue RN-to-BSN programs while working.
Robust Nursing Job Prospects in Omaha
With over 20 major hospitals and 40+ clinics, Omaha provides exceptional nursing career opportunities and training resources.
As the metro region‘s largest employment sector, healthcare employs over 108,000 people in the city. State and national nursing shortages also boost job prospects for local graduates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% RN job growth in Nebraska through 2030, higher than most occupations.
Diverse nursing roles await Omaha graduates, including:
- Hospital staff nursing
- Private practice/clinic nursing
- Nursing home/long-term care nursing
- School nursing
- Home health nursing
Competitive salaries and benefits also attract candidates, with staff nurses earning $63,000-75,000 on average. With expanding outpatient services across Omaha, two-year grads enjoy excellent nursing job prospects if they gain specialized skills.
Why Choose Omaha for Nursing Education?
From community colleges to private universities, Omaha claims over 15 accredited nursing schools catering to working students with convenient schedules. As Nebraska‘s urban hub, Omaha offers amenities and employer variety rivaling larger Midwest cities, yet living costs remain affordable.
Top local hospitals like Nebraska Medicine, CHI Health and Methodist also partner with nursing programs for clinical training. Students rotate through innovative medical facilities and build professional connections.
Let‘s explore some standout two-year nursing education options across metro Omaha:
College of Saint Mary
Founded in 1923 by the Sisters of Mercy, CSM has long committed to nursing education with several pathway options:
- BSN – Traditional 4-year Bachelor‘s degree
- RN to BSN – For current nurses seeking career advancement
- Accelerated BSN – Fast-paced program for candidates with Bachelor‘s degrees
The Accelerated BSN pathway delivers Bachelor‘s level RN qualifications in just 16 months. With full-time spring, summer, fall and spring semesters spanning 64 credit hours, the accelerated track launches graduates into rewarding nursing careers sooner.
Program highlights include:
- Clinical rotations at CHI Health facilities
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Small class sizes under 30 students
- Dedicated student success coaching
- Affordable private tuition around $36,000 total
Visit College of Saint Mary‘s nursing program page to learn more!
Creighton University
As Nebraska‘s top-ranked private institution, Creighton University has delivered exceptional nursing education for over four decades across several pathways. Options include:
- Traditional BSN
- Accelerated BSN
- RN to BSN
Creighton‘s Accelerated BSN program covers an intense 15-month curriculum qualifying graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Courses blend rigorous scientific foundations with over 500 supervised clinical hours.
Key program features:
- Three hospital partnership sites
- Interprofessional simulation center
- 90% first-time pass rate on RN licensure exams
- Distinguished level-three Pathway to Excellence credential
- Total program cost around $80,000
Read recent graduate reviews of Creighton‘s program. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty mentors, students receive individualized support during the challenging 15-month experience.
"The instructors go so far above and beyond for us – I‘ve felt fully prepared for the realities of nursing through the clinical hours," says Accelerated BSN graduate Clara R.
Nebraska Methodist College
As a historically nursing-focused institution, Methodist College offers several excellent nursing education options including traditional BSN, RN-BSN and accelerated pathways.
The 15-month Accelerated BSN track delivers intensive preparation spanning just 5 semesters. Students complete 56 credit hours and around 750 supervised clinical hours rotating through Methodist Hospital and affiliated providers.
Accelerated BSN highlights include:
- Approximately $43,500 total program cost
- Brand new simulation labs and classrooms
- Specialized adult med-surg residencies
- NCLEX-RN exam pass rate over 90%
- Job placement rate of 90%+ within six months
"I chose Methodist‘s accelerated program for the value, and the new facilities made such a difference – everything felt cutting-edge," explains recent graduate Neil P.
Schedule a tour of Methodist‘s nursing facilities to learn more!
Community College vs University Programs
From public colleges to private institutions, nursing candidates have affordable to premium-priced options in Omaha. Let‘s compare community college and university pathways.
Community College Programs
With very reasonable tuition and flexible schedules, Omaha-area community colleges shine for value and accessibility.
For example, Metropolitan Community College offers a 5-semester Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Over 75 credit hours, students complete general prerequisites, core nursing courses, and over 500 supervised clinical hours.
Community college nursing advantages include:
- Affordable tuition (often under $300 per credit)
- Flexible day, evening and online courses
- Transfer options to complete BSN degrees
- Strong local employer relationships
However, community colleges have some drawbacks:
- Typically higher student-to-teacher ratios
- Less prestigious than university options
- Potential waitlists for core nursing courses
"I worked 30 hours a week while completing my ADN through MCC – the flexible schedules and prices were exactly what I needed," says nurse Mike W.
University Programs
Private nonprofit colleges like Creighton and Nebraska Methodist offer pricier yet prestigious nursing education options, along with smaller classes and other advantages.
University nursing program benefits include:
- Lower student-teacher ratios
- Cutting-edge simulation technology
- Specialized faculty expertise
- Robust university career resources
- National program rankings and recognitions
"I prioritized hands-on learning opportunities in my program search. Creighton‘s new simulation hospital stood out from the crowd," explains BSN graduate Jennifer A.
Of course, universities also have some potential limitations:
- Higher tuition (often $800+ per credit)
- Less flexible scheduling
- Competitive admissions difficulty
Ultimately program choice depends on your career goals, budget and schedule! Evaluate all priority factors as you determine the right nursing school.
Insider Perspectives from Local Graduates
What really helps in program research? Direct insights from graduates! Here recent nursing grads share advice on finding the perfect local fit:
Marie S., Accelerated BSN Graduate, Creighton University
"Go and tour the hospitals that schools partner with! Seeing the amazing new facilities at CHI Health, then doing clinicals there later, proved I made the right choice picking Creighton."
Neil P., Accelerated BSN Graduate, Nebraska Methodist College
"Don‘t underestimate the value of new facilities and technologies in preparing for today‘s nursing. Methodist‘s brand new sim labs made me feel ready for any hospital scenario."
LaToya W., ADN Graduate, Metropolitan Community College
"MCC let me maintain my full-time retail job while completing my degree, through night courses and occasional online options. If you need flexibility with your schedule, community colleges are the way to go in nursing."
As Marie, Neil and LaToya shared, touring facilities, evaluating technologies, and prioritizing scheduling needs all make a major difference in selecting the right local nursing program.
Key Selection Criteria and Questions
With Omaha‘s diversity of nursing program options, prospective students should consider several key variables:
Budget – Community college and state university tuition offers huge savings over private colleges. Compare total program costs and financial aid options across your school shortlist.
Admissions Requirements – Entry criteria varies greatly, with private universities typically the most competitive. Determine realistic target schools based on your GPA, test scores, and completed prerequisites.
Specializations – Some nursing programs concentrate on areas like adult med-surg, pediatrics, clinical research and more. Focus your search around desired specialties.
Hands-On Preparation – Look for schools requiring 500+ supervised clinical hours at recognized medical facilities. Tour the partner hospitals and clinics if possible.
Exam Pass Rates – Nursing programs publish licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) pass rates showing their ability to prepare students for certification testing. 90%+ rates indicate strong preparation.
Support Services – Compare student success resources like tutoring, counseling, graduate job placement help and more. These services prove vital when tackling rigorous nursing curriculums.
Here are key questions to ask admissions counselors and current students during your research:
- What medical facilities does the program partner with for clinical rotations?
- How have the school‘s RN exam pass rates trended the past few years?
- Which courses, simulations and rotations best prepared past graduates for nursing practice?
- What student support services are available for dealing with curriculum rigor and stress?
- What nursing specialty concentrations or electives can I take?
- What new facilities, technologies or program developments showcase the school‘s ongoing investments?
Get clear answers to these questions while exploring different nursing options. It takes some legwork, but paying attention to details makes a major impact come graduation and board exams!
Comparing Omaha Nursing Programs
The National League for Nursing offers an excellent Nursing School Finder tool for researching and comparing local programs on key metrics like total enrollment, program types offered, and more.
Omaha-area options recognized include:
- Bryan College of Health Sciences
- Clarkson College
- College of Saint Mary
- Creighton University
- Metropolitan Community College
- Midland University
- Nebraska Methodist College
- Nebraska Wesleyan University
- University of Nebraska Medical Center
The Nebraska Nurses Association also provides directory resources to find accredited nursing programs statewide. Reach out to admissions staff at any appealing options for further insights and campus visit opportunities.
I hope this guide covered all considerations for discovering the perfect Omaha nursing program for your goals! Please reach out directly as you evaluate schools – I‘m always happy to offer personalized advice to future nurses. Wishing you the very best with your exciting nursing education journey!