UNMC Launches Scholarships to Address Rural Nebraska Nursing Shortage

OMAHA, NE – The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is launching the Rural Nebraska Nursing Fellowship, a fresh scholarship program designed to combat the growing shortage of nurses in rural Nebraska. The program will award 30 full scholarships over the next two years, covering tuition, fees, and books for a two-year Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

The scholarships will be offered at UNMC’s campuses in Scottsbluff, Kearney, and Norfolk. Students will likewise receive a $5,000 living expense stipend each semester, according to a statement from UNMC. The program is funded by a nearly $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration.

Eligibility and Commitment

To qualify for the Rural Nebraska Nursing Fellowship, students must meet competitive academic requirements and commit to working for at least two years in either long-term care or acute care settings in rural Nebraska after graduation. Applicants must have completed two years of undergraduate general education requirements and nursing prerequisites.

Addressing a Critical Need

The need for nurses in rural Nebraska is significant. Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, cited a 2025 report indicating that nine Nebraska counties were without nurses. A Nebraska Center for Nursing biennial report also found that the Panhandle Economic Region was particularly affected, with over 25% of “crucially needed” nursing positions unfilled.

“These data points and others are what drive us to seek ways in which we can address the state’s nursing workforce needs,” Sharp-McHenry said. “This grant will allow us to specifically prepare nurses for our rural communities. It is our hope that this grant will create a model that can be supported and sustained to continue bolstering the nursing workforce in rural Nebraska.”

Program Features

The fellowship program offers more than just financial assistance. Students will have access to peer and professional mentoring, a graduate assistant tutor, and over 80 hours of supplemental learning focused on rural long-term and acute care.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the 2026 scholarships is April 1st. The first 15 scholarships will be awarded for enrollment in August 2026, with the remaining 15 awarded for the following academic year. More information on how to apply can be found here.

Broader Workforce Challenges

A 2023 health care workforce report commissioned by UNMC highlighted ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural areas of Nebraska, with 83% of practitioners concentrated in metropolitan areas.

“This is a major opportunity to strengthen the rural [nursing] workforce, collaborate with rural long term and acute care institutions in Nebraska and provide debt-free education,” said associate dean Joachim Voss.