Norfolk is Creating a Pipeline of Medical Professionals in Northeast Nebraska

Norfolk has become an epicenter of opportunity for those pursuing a healthcare career in Northeast Nebraska. A unique and impactful partnership between Northeast Community College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing (UNMC CON) creates a pipeline of healthcare professionals committed to improving care across the state.

A Unique Educational Partnership

“The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing is located on the Northeast Community College campus which allows students to seamlessly transition from foundational coursework at Northeast Community College to professional nursing education at UNMC College of Nursing,” said Angela Johnson Ed.D RN, Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor at University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing.  

UNMC CON is proud to serve Nebraska through five campus locations statewide. The Norfolk Division is the newest location and is celebrating its 15-year anniversary this year. 

“What sets us apart is our convenient ties with the community college, a close-knit learning environment, strong faculty-student relationships and our deep commitment to serving rural communities,” said Dr. Johnson. 

Popular Programs Driving Healthcare Careers 

According to Dr. Johnson, the most popular program of study at UNMC CON is the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In this program, students complete one to two years of prerequisite coursework, often at Northeast Community College, followed by two years at UNMC CON, where they complete their nursing education and become registered nurses.

In addition to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, UNMC CON offers other popular programs of study, such as an accelerated BSN program for students with a prior bachelor’s degree, an RN to BSN program for currently licensed RNs seeking a bachelor’s degree and a variety of graduate programs, such as Master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD programs. These programs can be viewed in detail here.

Norfolk offers a wide range of educational and clinical opportunities for individuals interested in healthcare careers. In addition to the strong academic programs offered through UNMC CON and Northeast Community College, students can gain valuable hands-on experience at local healthcare facilities such as Faith Regional Health Services. 

A Commitment to Accessible Healthcare Education

UNMC CON partners with other local colleges and programs to maintain the highest standard of care for rural healthcare. These efforts include making high-quality education more affordable and accessible for low-income individuals and multilingual students, creating a well-rounded workforce to care for the community. 

“UNMC College of Nursing is proud to partner with Wayne State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) initiative as well as the Early Admission Nursing 2+2 Program - Wayne State College Nebraska. These programs provide students with guaranteed admission to the UNMC nursing program, opportunities for tuition support and early exposure to healthcare careers. These programs are designed to grow the rural healthcare workforce by training students who are interested in practicing in rural communities like Norfolk and beyond,” said Dr. Johnson. 

The region is also supported by the Nebraska Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program, which plays a vital role in preparing the future healthcare workforce, particularly for rural communities. 

“AHEC offers programs such as health career camps, job shadowing, mentorship and clinical rotations, all designed to expose students to diverse healthcare pathways while promoting service in medically underserved areas,” said Dr. Johnson. “In addition to this opportunity, Northeast Community College offers a dual language CNA program that prepares bilingual students to enter the healthcare workforce.” 

By offering CNA instruction in both English and Spanish, the dual language program helps bridge language gaps in healthcare and supports culturally competent care across the state. 

These combined efforts make Norfolk an ideal location to begin or advance a career in healthcare. Norfolk provides meaningful career opportunities through strong community support, high-quality education and real-world learning opportunities rooted in a mission to improve rural health across Nebraska.

A Mission to Serve Rural Nebraska

“Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives by providing premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care while improving healthcare access and outcomes for rural populations,” said Dr. Johnson. “We are proud to support the next generation of nurses through high-quality education, personalized mentorship and a strong sense of community here in Norfolk.”

Whether beginning a journey into healthcare or looking to advance a career, Norfolk provides the resources, support and vision to help students succeed and Nebraska thrive.