The state of Nebraska has a growing demand for more professionals to join the dwindling number of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the state. If you have been considering a profession in healthcare, practicing nursing can be an excellent option.
Whether you become a registered nurse in Nebraska or a licensed practical nurse, both paths offer a great opportunity to join the healthcare industry. However, understanding the nursing board requirements in Nebraska is essential. To become a licensed practical nurse in Nebraska or a registered nurse in the state, you must meet several requirements set by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. Fast CE For Less has created this guide for prospective nurses to understand the nursing board requirements in Nebraska to become an RN or LPN in the state, and how to renew your license.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
Becoming an RN requires several years of professional training and education, then applying for state licensure via a nationally recognized licensing examination for RNs. As you begin practicing as an RN, you must also renew your license every two years. This section of the guide will give you an overview of the nursing board requirements in Nebraska to become an RN.
Earn an ADN or BSN
Before applying for state licensure via examination, you must obtain a prelicensure nursing degree from a program approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. In Nebraska, you must have at least a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to become eligible to apply for the state license.
While earning an ADN offers a shorter route, we recommend aiming for a BSN. In a BSN program, you will get more years of in-depth professional education and training. Employers prefer hiring more experienced nurses. Completing a BSN can increase your chances of being hired for a well-paying position. That said, earning an ADN also qualifies you to apply for a license to become a registered nurse in Nebraska.
Whichever prelicensure nursing degree you choose, you must ensure it is a program approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of state board-approved nursing education programs here on the board’s official website.
Apply for State Licensure
After earning your prelicensure nursing degree, you can apply for a state license to become a registered nurse in Nebraska. For this, you must pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Taking the NCLEX-RN test requires registering with Pearson VUE. You must also request the institute from where you earned your BSN or ADN to send your official transcripts to the Nebraska Board of Nursing. You must also provide a background check and fingerprints to the board before you complete the application to become a registered nurse in Nebraska. You can find the license application on the Nebraska Board of Nursing’s official website here.
Obtain Your License to Become a Registered Nurse
Once you complete registration for the NCLEX-RN and pass the exam, the board will process your application and issue you your RN license. When the board initially issues your license, it will first appear on the License Lookup site. The board will send you your permanent license shortly after updating your License Lookup status.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
Becoming a licensed practical nurse in Nebraska has different prelicensure education requirements than a registered nurse. Nevertheless, understanding the nursing board requirements in Nebraska to become a licensed practical nurse is essential.
Complete a State Nursing Board-Approved Practical Nursing Program
Provided you have a high school diploma, you can complete a state board-approved practical nursing degree to become eligible to apply for an LPN license. You must ensure you complete a one-year practical nursing program approved by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. You can find a list of approved nursing programs here.
Apply for State Licensure
After completing your practical nursing degree, you can apply for state licensure to become a licensed practical nurse in Nebraska via examination. You must pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), the nationally recognized program for licensed practical nurses, to qualify for the state license.
You must register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-PN. As part of the application process, you must request the institute where you completed your practical nursing program to share your official transcripts with the Nebraska Board of Nursing. Additionally, you must submit a background check and fingerprints to the board. You can find the application to become a licensed practical nurse in Nebraska here through the state nursing board’s official website.
Obtain Your License to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
Once you register for the NCLEX-PN, you must pass the exam within two years of completing registration. The Nebraska Board of Nursing will review your application once you take the exam. It takes eight to ten weeks for the board to completely review your paperwork. If the board approves giving you the license, you will first find your status updated on License Lookup. Once the board updates your status there, you will receive your license to become a licensed practical nurse in Nebraska.
Renew Your License
The nursing boards in all states require RNs and LPNs to renew their licenses once every two to three years. The recertification requirement ensures that all practicing RNs and LPNs are updated with the most current developments in healthcare. To renew your state license, you must complete a number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses defined by the state board.
The Nebraska Board of Nursing requires RNs and LPNs to renew their license every two years. Nursing professionals applying to renew their license must complete at least 20 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses every two years. You can find more details about the nursing continuing education requirements for the Nebraska Board of Nursing at www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-nebraska/.
For RNs and LPNs nearing the time to renew their credentials, online nursing CEUs like those offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com are an excellent option.