Great Plains Health, Unitek Learning Expand Nursing Education Nebraska

A new nursing education partnership in Nebraska has been announced between Great Plains Health and Unitek Learning, marking a strategic effort to address long-standing healthcare workforce shortages across central and western parts of the state. The collaboration is designed to expand access to nursing education, strengthen rural healthcare systems, and build a sustainable pipeline of locally trained professionals who can meet growing patient care demands.

At the center of the initiative is the development of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN program in Nebraska) embedded directly within Great Plains Health in North Platte. The program is specifically structured for working adults, current healthcare employees, and community members who are seeking entry into the nursing profession. By integrating education within an active hospital environment, the initiative aims to reduce barriers such as travel, cost, and limited training access, which often prevent rural residents from pursuing healthcare careers.

The partnership comes at a time when rural healthcare workforce shortages in Nebraska have become increasingly critical. According to data from the Nebraska Hospital Association, 73 out of the state’s 93 counties have fewer registered nurses per capita than the national average. Statewide projections also indicate a shortage of more than 6,600 nursing positions, underscoring the urgent need for expanded training pathways and retention strategies.

Through this collaboration, Great Plains Health nursing workforce development efforts will shift toward a “grow-your-own” model, focusing on developing talent from within the local community rather than relying solely on external recruitment. This approach is expected to improve long-term workforce stability by encouraging students to study, train, and ultimately work within the same region, increasing the likelihood that they remain in rural healthcare settings after graduation.

The Unitek Learning healthcare education model brings experience in designing career-focused programs that integrate academic instruction with real-world clinical exposure. In this case, the ADN program will allow students to gain hands-on experience while completing their coursework, ensuring that graduates are better prepared for the demands of modern nursing practice. This embedded structure is intended to bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical application, which is especially important in resource-limited rural hospitals.

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Healthcare leaders involved in the project emphasized that the initiative is not intended to replace existing nursing education programs in Nebraska but to complement and expand them. Instead, the goal of this Nebraska nursing education expansion initiative is to increase overall capacity across the state by adding new training pathways, particularly in regions where access to higher education and healthcare training remains limited.

The organizations also plan to work with additional hospitals, clinics, and regional employers to create broader rural healthcare training partnerships in Nebraska. These collaborations are expected to open up new career advancement opportunities for healthcare workers and provide flexible pathways for residents who may not otherwise have access to traditional university-based nursing programs.

Leadership from both organizations highlighted the importance of local investment in solving workforce challenges. Ivan Mitchell, President and CEO of Great Plains Health, stated that the future of healthcare in the region depends on investing in local people and providing accessible education opportunities that allow residents to build careers close to home. He noted that this partnership creates a practical and sustainable route into nursing while strengthening the overall healthcare system in rural Nebraska.

Similarly, Jeff Conlon, CEO of Unitek Learning, emphasized that improving access to nursing education is essential for addressing workforce shortages and supporting healthcare providers across underserved areas. He explained that expanding educational access for working adults and community members can significantly enhance the strength and resilience of the regional healthcare workforce.

The Great Plains Health and Unitek Learning ADN program represents a broader shift in how healthcare education is delivered in rural America. By embedding training within a hospital setting and focusing on local talent development, the initiative aims to ensure that rural communities in Nebraska are better equipped to meet future healthcare demands while building a stronger, more self-sustaining nursing workforce.