Welcome to the nursing program at Union College
Our mission is to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to be competent, caring generalists in the profession of nursing. The nursing program is based on professional standards and reflects a commitment to wholeness, Christian service and Seventh-day Adventist values.
How long has the Union College Nursing Program been around?
Established in 1896, the Union College Nursing Program has a long-standing tradition of excellence. In fact, Union's nursing program is the oldest Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the state of Nebraska and in all the Adventist colleges!
How long is the nursing program?
First-Time Freshman: We offer a four-year curriculum that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Within this four-year curriculum, you will complete the necessary prerequisites and general education requirements required by the college in addition to the nursing courses.
Transfer Student: If you are a transfer student who has many of your general education requirements completed, the nursing courses will take approximately five semesters to complete.
How do your graduates perform on the NCLEX-RN®?
Our graduates have a consistently high pass rate for the NCLEX-RN® — a pass rate far above the state and national averages. In fact, 100% of our May 2024 graduates passed on their first attempt! Our graduating classes regularly have the highest NCLEX-RN® pass rate in the state of Nebraska and among Seventh-day Adventist universities. We are very proud of our graduates and their achievements!
First-time pass rates:
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | May | 2023 | December | 2024 | May | 2024 | December |
97.5% | 83.78% | 89.66% | 97.06% | 100% |
How often does your program admit a new class of students?
The Union College Nursing Program admits a new nursing cohort of approximately 30 students each semester. The Nursing Program intends that an applicant to the nursing program is well prepared to successfully complete the nursing curriculum.
Our holistic admission process gives full consideration to the applicant's qualifications and potential based on all evidence provided in the application and is viewed in the context of the applicant's professional and personal values. Applicants will receive an official letter from the Nursing Program when the new cohort is selected.
Still have questions? Contact an enrollment counselor today.
Where do your nursing students complete clinical hours?
Nursing students complete more than 925 clinical hours in all of the major hospital systems in Lincoln in addition to many observations and experiences in specialized healthcare environments. In the Simulation Center, our high-tech simulators, live patients and health care technology combine to prepare students for real-life nursing—teaming with other nurses to care for multiple patients. That’s one more reason our graduates have the best NCLEX-RN® first-time pass rate in Nebraska.
Does your program offer an LPN-BSN or RN-BSN program?
Yes, our BSN Completion Program is designed to assist LPNs and RNs in earning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Is this program accredited?
Yes. The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Union Adventist University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Our program is also approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing.
Does your program participate in the international nursing honor society, Sigma Theta Tau?
Yes, nursing majors may be invited to join Union's chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Nu Rho.
Location
We are located in the on the second floor of the AdventHealth Complex. Enter through the south side of the building.
Hours
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact
Phone: 402.486.2600 ext. 2356
Email: nursing@uau.edu
Director: Elysia Ockenga | ext. 2358 | elysia.ockenga@uau.edu
Meet the team
Nicole Badura
Nursing Faculty
Jessica Beach
Nursing Adjunct
Jen Carlson
Nursing Adjunct
Stephanie Crosby
Nursing Adjunct
Amparo Fernandez
Nursing Adjunct
Kristine Follett
Nursing Faculty
Tracy Hagele
Nursing Faculty
Bronna Hooper
Nursing Adjunct
Elizabeth Lauby
Nursing Adjunct
Shy Martinez
Nursing Faculty
Kelsey McClellen
Nursing Adjunct
Ruth Mendenhall
Nursing Faculty
Elysia Ockenga
Nursing Program Dir.
Lyuda Osintsev
Nursing Adjunct
Rebecca Randa
Nursing Faculty
Sierra Reed
Renata Richardson
Nursing Faculty
Amber Schuler
Nursing Adjunct
Matthew Simpson
Nursing Adjunct
Jill Weyers
Nursing Faculty
Trista Ybarra
Nursing Faculty

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About Nursing at Union
Answer your frequently asked questions and find our more about our program.

Transfer to Union
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Service
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