Oklahoma's Best Nursing Schools for 2020

Eastern Oklahoma State College is located in Wilburton, OK. They offer an ACEN accredited ADN program that combines nursing theory with health related sciences and general education. They do offer an LPN to RN bridge program as well. Eastern Oklahoma State College’s ADN program was established in the 1971, and the transition track followed 14 years later in 1985.

The program is rooted in Bruner’s learning theory, which assumes learning to be an active process that requires theory and hands-on application of the material. The nursing school’s mission is to provide accessible and affordable education for those seeking a career in the nursing field and to take a holistic approach to the discipline. The program is close-knit and takes a student and community centered approach to learning. Students will have close faculty guidance and support as well as clinical experiences in nearby communities. One class of students is enrolled annually in the fall.

Oklahoma City Community College was founded in 1972 and is located in Oklahoma City, OK. They offer three pathways toward an ADN within their nursing department: the traditional pathway, a “Career Ladder” (LPN to RN) pathway, as well as a baccalaureate to ADN accelerated pathway. The BS to ADN track is for those who hold a non-nursing degree. Credits earned in general education will be counted towards the ADN curriculum, providing students a quicker way to graduate. OCCC’s campus has three labs with simulation equipment, giving students the opportunity of hands-on practice before they begin their clinical rotations.

The program has a strong focus on clinical reasoning, decision-making, as well as communication techniques. Graduates are encouraged and prepared to serve the public in all kinds of healthcare settings. Traditional ADN applicants are enrolled twice yearly in the fall and in the spring. Career ladder applicants can enroll annually in the fall, and the accelerated program enrolls students in the summer and in the spring.

Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City is a public institution that was founded in 1961 in Oklahoma City, OK. OSU’s department of health sciences places great importance on diversity and inclusion, striving to preserve their community comprised of individuals with wildly different backgrounds and life experiences.They offer an ADN program that is ACEN accredited with two pathways: the traditional pathway, and an LPN to RN and Paramedic to RN bridge program.

The traditional 2-year track is a 72-credit hour curriculum that combines classroom instruction with laboratory activities and clinical experience. The bridge program is comprised of a 58-hour curriculum, giving LPNs and Paramedics the ability to complete the coursework in a shorter amount of time. Students may apply twice a year for enrollment in the fall or in the spring. OSU offers many scholarship programs to help fund education within the health sciences. Faculty members of the program are dedicated to the wellbeing of students and ensuring they are well prepared for the NCLEX exam and their future careers in the nursing field.

Rogers State University was founded as a preparatory school in 1909 in Claremore, OK. Today it is a four-year regional university that offers three programs within the nursing school: a traditional BSN track, an RN to BSN track, and an ADN in nursing. The ADN program is fully ACEN accredited, and the bachelor’s program is conditionally accredited. RSU nursing students have access to experienced faculty, a supportive student cohort, and well-equipped facilities. They will further gain experience at rural and urban hospital settings during their clinical rotations.

The RN to BSN bridge program is unique in its rural health care focus in addition to preparation for nursing careers in federally-operated facilities. With an understanding in cultural, economic, social, and political issues, RSU graduates are prepared to deliver quality, culturally sensitive care to diverse patient populations. Students may apply twice yearly, in the fall and in the spring to all nursing programs.

Rose State College is located in Midwest City, Oklahoma.  They offer an ADN degree program.  They also offer a Career Ladder Track, which allows LPNs, paramedics and military medics to bridge into the ADN program.  Both options can be completed online or in the traditional classroom.  Classes may be daytime or evenings, with clinical experiences varying from mornings or afternoons.  The Career Ladder track can be completed in 2 semesters.

Tulsa Community College is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  TCC offers an ADN program and a Career Mobility Track, for LPNs and paramedics to complete their RN degree.  Their nursing program was created in 1971 when a group of Tulsa-area hospitals joined together to create a college-based nursing program in Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma; now, more than 4,000 students have graduated with nursing degrees from TCC.

Oklahoma Baptist University is a private university that was founded in 1910 in Shawnee, OK. They offer a four-year BSN program, an LPN to BSN track, and an online RN to BSN/MSN track, all of which are CCNE accredited. OBU’s programs infuse principles of the Christian faith and worldview into nursing education. Unique to OBU is their RN to BSN/MSN track, offering a flexible opportunity for nurses seeking to advance their careers with a 2-year program that they may exit upon earning the BSN, or may continue to finish with an MSN.

The traditional BSN track fosters a collaborative and supportive environment with close faculty to student interaction. OBU’s nursing school further educates nursing students to understand civic and regulatory processes as well as fiscal and Human Resources management. This is an integrative program resting on pillars of faith, collaboration, and excellence. Students may apply twice a year for enrollment in the fall or in the spring.

The University of Central Oklahoma was founded in 1890 in Edmond, OK. The first class of nursing students graduated in 1972, and today the nursing department offers three CCNE accredited programs: a BSN, MSN, and RN-to BSN track. Nursing education at UCO is comprised of multi-disciplinary research, an awareness of healthcare trends, scholarly inquisition, and diversity. Further emphasis is placed on the dynamic nature of a nursing career, an essential profession in an ever-changing world. Thereby the nursing department at UCO aims to educate students in a transformative manner, while instilling the importance of being lifelong learners with sharp clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills. Students will furthermore be prepared to practice with evidence-based strategies and professional communication techniques.

The RN to BSN track is comprised of 8-week course blocks with full and part time options. If students opt for full time, the program can be completed in 2 semesters. Students may apply to all programs in the fall and in the spring.

Rogers State University was founded as a preparatory school in 1909 in Claremore, OK. Today it is a four-year regional university that offers three programs within the nursing school: a traditional BSN track, an RN to BSN track, and an ADN in nursing. The ADN program is fully ACEN accredited, and the bachelor’s program is conditionally accredited. RSU nursing students have access to experienced faculty, a supportive student cohort, and well-equipped facilities. They will further gain experience at rural and urban hospital settings during their clinical rotations.

The RN to BSN bridge program is unique in its rural health care focus in addition to preparation for nursing careers in federally-operated facilities. With an understanding in cultural, economic, social, and political issues, RSU graduates are prepared to deliver quality, culturally sensitive care to diverse patient populations. Students may apply twice yearly, in the fall and in the spring to all nursing programs.

University of Tulsa is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Their School of Nursing offers a BSN program and a DNP program.  At this time, they do not offer a specific RN to BSN option.  Their School of Nursing has been in existence for more than 40 years, with the first DNP program beginning in the spring of 2017.

Oral Roberts University is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  ORU is a Christian university with courses taught by Christ-centered professors.  The Anna Vaughn College of Nursing offers a traditional BSN program and an online RN to BSN program.  The online RN to BSN program is offered entirely online.

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.