2023 - Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Wesleyan University is located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  OWU is a Christian university where students interject Christian education into their studies. They offer a traditional BSN program on-campus, as well as an RN to BSN program that can be completed on-campus or online.

Oral Roberts University, Anna Vaughn School of Nursing, is at the forefront of nursing science, technology, and patient care. The nursing education takes place in a high-tech campus with concept-based and immersive instruction.

Students at the Anna Vaughn School of Nursing get access to one of the nation’s most high-tech simulation labs where they get to practice their clinical skills and put the theoretical knowledge into practice. The highly qualified faculty provide their unduly support and pay close attention to each student's progress and are there for consultation at all times. Similarly, in the clinical rotations, students learn from intra and interprofessional collaboration which teaches them the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, and quick-decision making. Apart from clinical practice, they also get the chance to take part in local, rural, and international clinical practice, thereby developing the competence to take care of a diverse population and learning about the much needed cultural competency.

Undergraduate Programs: The BSN degree at Oral Roberts University, Anna Vaughn School of Nursing allows students to practice in multiple areas and specialties before they take their NCLEX-RN. The curriculum allows students to develop as Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through Whole Person Education that sets them apart as a quality health professional.

Apart from the traditional nursing degrees Oral Roberts University, Anna Vaughn School of Nursing also offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration which is a 100% online program that allows students to develop and guide high-performance teams in a variety of healthcare environments.

Graduate Programs: The 100% online MSN degree equips students to advance their nursing career and share their passion by teaching others at the post secondary level. There are multiple job opportunities for MSN graduates including nurse administrator, research nurse, nurse educator, and other specialties.

The school also offers a practice-oriented DNP program that prepares students to translate and test research findings in clinical practice settings.

One of the best in the state, Oklahoma City Community College’s nursing program has been producing exceptionally talented nursing graduates for a long time. The college ranks among the nation’s and state’s best in terms of NCLEX pass rate, degree completion rate, and graduate employment rate.

The rigorous nursing course here is exceptionally hard to get into and helps shape nursing students into competent healthcare providers and leaders in the rapidly changing healthcare environment. The education here is hands-on as the faculty believes that nursing as a profession demands students to be as much practically competent as they are theoretically advanced. One of the main facilities that provide hands-on education are high-tech simulation labs and nursing laboratories. The labs allow students to get introduced to and practice the nursing skills, concepts, and technologies so that they are ready to use that knowledge in their clinical rotations. The several low-to-high-fidelity simulators allow them to replicate clinical situations where they can practice their skills in a safe and supportive learning environment. As a result of such simulations and clinical practices, the graduates are highly sought-after by employers and almost 100% of them find a job within 6 months of graduation.

Undergraduate Programs: Oklahoma City Community College offers a traditional Associate in Applied Science program that allows students to take their NCLEX-RN examinations and begin a career in healthcare. There is also a bachelor's to ADN accelerated nurse pathway for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a different field but want to start their career in nursing.

The college also offers a Career Ladder Pathway for LPNs and Paramedics that allow them to earn their RN status. The Career Ladder Pathway recognizes the previous educational experiences of LPMs and paramedics and allows the credits earned in this program to be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university.

The University of Central Oklahoma department of nursing has been producing competent, highly skilled, and compassionate nurses since 1972. Graduates of the program are some of the most highly sought after nurses in the state and are known as the best in both the state and the nation, which is one of the reasons why this nursing program ranks as one of the state’s best.

Students at University of Central Oklahoma get the chance to participate in clinical rotations in multiple high-end healthcare facilities in the state where they are instructed by highly-qualified health professionals. Students are also provided access to the Broncho Education and Learning Lab (BELL) where they learn via peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, study skills development, time-management tools, and other facilities. Similarly, the University of Central Oklahoma also features a Student Transformative Learning Record (SLTR) which is like a second transcript that helps students track their growth in core areas that employers and graduate schools actively seek.  There are five tenets of the SLTR including research, creative and scholarly activities, health and wellness, leadership, and service learning and civic engagement, which are also skills that are considered valuable in a nursing career.

Undergraduate Programs: The four-year BSN degree prepares students for a plethora of nursing careers including clinical, bedside nursing, as well as nursing management and research. Students can also opt for a five-year plan if they are not able to complete the degree via a full-time four year commitment.

Additionally, for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a different field and want to obtain their RN license, the university offers a fast-track BSN program that can be completed in 16 months via hybrid courses. Similarly, the RN to BSN degree is an online program that is available for RNs who want to complete their BSN degree.

Graduate Programs: Furthermore, there is a MSN degree that allows students to choose from either a nursing education track or a specialty track to meet individual goals in leadership, administration, and clinical competence

At Oklahoma Baptist University School of Nursing, nursing students are provided with a faith-based, excellence-driven, mission-purposed, and community-directed nursing education. They take part in learning and extra-curricular activities that allow them to become a driving force to shape the future of healthcare.

The nursing department at this university is focused on teaching students from a high-quality curriculum that is contemporary, relevant, and meets the needs of the rapidly changing healthcare environment. The nursing curriculum meets the educational and employers’ requirements for all the states across the country which means that the graduates find employment in almost all healthcare departments and areas. With a low student to faculty ratio of 13:1, the university ensures that every student receives individualized attention and mentorship from the highly dedicated faculty. Similarly, along with low tuition costs, every student choosing to study in Oklahoma Baptist University receives some kind of financial aid to make sure that no student has to forfeit their desire and right to study due to financial barriers. The nursing graduates go on to become competent nurses who can successfully integrate faith with their knowledge and practice and care for a diverse world.

Undergraduate Programs: Oklahoma Baptist University offers its BSN degree in two tracks; Traditional BSN, and Second Degree BSN for students who are just starting their bachelor’s degree and for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, respectively.

Similarly, the LPN to BSN program exists for working LPNs who wish to expand their knowledge and area of practice. Graduates of the program have been able to maximize their earning potential as well as their professional opportunities.