Healthcare Recruiting
Nebraska CRNA License 2026: APRN Requirements, Full Practice Authority, Salary
Nebraska is a full practice authority state for all APRNs including CRNAs. No physician supervision or collaborative agreement is required, and Nebraska has opted out of the federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement. Omaha and Lincoln anchor the major markets; Nebraska Medicine / University of Nebraska Medical Center is the state's academic flagship. Rural Nebraska — particularly the Panhandle and Great Plains communities — has persistent CRNA shortages similar to neighboring Kansas and Iowa.
Practice Model
- Full Practice Authority — no supervision or collaboration agreement required
- Nebraska has opted out of federal Medicare CRNA supervision requirement
- ACT model: Nebraska Medicine / UNMC (Omaha) — academic ACT at flagship
- CRNA-independent model: Methodist Health System, Bryan Health, CHI Health, rural CAH facilities throughout Nebraska
- Western Nebraska (North Platte, Scottsbluff, Alliance) relies entirely on CRNA-only anesthesia at community and CAH facilities
Application Requirements
- Active Nebraska RN license (compact or NE-issued)
- Current NBCRNA certification
- Official nurse anesthesia program documentation
- Completed dhhs.ne.gov/nursing application + $118 fee
- Criminal background check via Nebraska State Patrol
Processing Timeline
Nebraska Board of Nursing processes APRN applications in 6–8 weeks from complete submission. Nebraska's compact membership and efficient online portal make it a standard-timeline Midwest licensing state.
CRNA Salary in Nebraska (2026)
| Market | Avg CRNA Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $190,000–$220,000 | Nebraska Medicine, Methodist Health, CHI Health; academic + community |
| Lincoln | $185,000–$215,000 | Bryan Health, CHI Health St. Elizabeth; university community; lower COL |
| Grand Island / Kearney | $183,000–$210,000 | CHI Health St. Francis, Kearney Regional; central Nebraska hubs |
| Rural / Panhandle NE | $188,000–$222,000 | CRNA-only; persistent shortages; signing bonuses $20K–$40K for rural placements |
Top Employers in Nebraska
- Nebraska Medicine / UNMC — Omaha; academic medical center; ACT model; Level I trauma; CRNA training programs
- Methodist Health System — Omaha; large community health system; CRNA-independent model
- Bryan Health — Lincoln; regional health system; CRNA-independent model
- CHI Health — Omaha + statewide; Catholic health system; CRNA-independent at most community facilities
Related: CRNA Salary by State 2026, NP License Nebraska 2026, CRNA License Iowa 2026.
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