KEARNEY, Neb. - The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Kearney Division at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will offer twice-a-year admission to their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program beginning January 2024.

Leaders from UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Kearney will be speaking on the UNK campus Monday about the advantages of twice-yearly admission.

“We are excited to offer more flexibility to the students we serve,” said Juliann Sebastian, PhD, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, who will attend the event. “The partnership between UNMC and UNK is a proven success, and this new admission window not only strengthens that relationship, but it allows UNMC and UNK to once again innovate to address the health care needs of Kearney and rural Nebraska. It is part of the program expansion the UNMC College of Nursing is beginning on the UNK campus.”

Assistant Dean Cathrin Carithers, DNP, for the Kearney Division, said that the addition of a January class in the college’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, to complement the traditional August admissions, is something that employers in Central Nebraska have been requesting for some time.

“The new cohort will provide a cohort of BSN nursing graduates that can be hired in December,” Dr. Carithers said. “There are job opportunities for nurses, and expanding our admissions guidelines allows us to provide trained nurses who can take advantage of these opportunities. At the same time, we are addressing a nursing workforce shortage need that has been well-documented throughout Nebraska.”

Dr. Sebastian also will speak on other college of nursing advances and programs offered, including Rural Pathway and Nebraska Neighbors.

  • Rural Pathway allows students at Chadron State College, Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska-Kearney guaranteed admission into the College of Nursing’s Norfolk, Kearney or Scottsbluff campuses. Interested students must meet a list of requirements to be eligible for guaranteed admission.
  • The Nebraska Neighbors program offers a UNMC scholarship to non-resident students from select neighboring states to bring their cost to that of in-state students.

Electronic application for admission to the first January cohort at the UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division will open soon. More information on the BSN admission requirements can be found here or by emailing the UNMC College of Nursing Students Services Office.