Overview of Nursing Schools in Oklahoma

  • There are 35 nursing schools in Oklahoma. The CCNE accredits 9 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 16 schools in Oklahoma.
  • Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
  • The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in Oklahoma is between 56.54% and 97.20%.
  • The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in Oklahoma is between 77.10% and 97.22%.
  • The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
  • Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in Oklahoma can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.

About Nursing Schools in Oklahoma

The new healthcare reform has prompted the Oklahoma Nursing Association to join the objective of sending nurses back to school. A recent discussion at the ONA House of Delegates focused on the vital impact that nurses have throughout hospitals. The hospital-centered education of the ADN can no longer support the role the registered nurse has in the community and preventative health and nursing research. It is because of this that there is a push for all registered nurses to obtain a BSN within ten years of initial graduation and practice. Nursing schools have responded by introducing many RN and BSN programs in Oklahoma, which make earning a bachelor’s degree realistic and achievable.

In the State of Oklahoma, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Overall, Oklahoma offers 35 nursing schools with 3 private schools and 24 public schools.

Oklahoma has 26 cities offering nursing schools including Ada, Altus, Alva, Bartlesville, Bethany, Claremore, Edmond, El Reno, Goodwell, Langston, Miami, Midwest City, Muskogee, Oklahoma City, Okmulgee, Poteau, Shawnee, Tahlequah, Tishomingo, Tonkawa, Tulsa, Warner and Wilburton

 

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Number of Degree Types Offered by Oklahoma Nursing Schools

  • Registered Nursing: 34
  • Family Nurse Practitioner: 2
  • Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
  • CNL: 1
  • Nursing Administration: 1
  • Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: 1
  • Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 1

Number of Degree Types Offered by Each Oklahoma Nursing School

Options for earning your nursing degree in Oklahoma have never been more flexible. Oklahoma nursing schools have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your nursing degree, no matter your life situation or schedule. You will find 3 different paths to earn your nursing degree in Oklahoma including Campus, Online and Hybrid.

Oklahoma RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Compare RN Programs ADN BSN
Number of Nursing Programs 18 18
Average NCLEX Passing Rate 83.57% 89.60%
NCLEX Passing Rate Range 56.54% to 97.20% 77.10% to 97.22%

Best Ranked Nursing Schools in Oklahoma

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Oklahoma and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 12 ADN degree programs and 9 BSN degree programs in Oklahoma. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Oklahoma to provide our state rankings. View our methodology

Oklahoma Wesleyan University

School of Nursing

97.21% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 2201 Silver Lake Rd, Bartlesville, OK - 74006-6299
  • (918) 333-6151
Nurse Admin: Jessica L. Johnson, DNP, RN
Title: Dean
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.21%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 32
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $900
  • Book and Supplies: N/A
  • Percent Received Aid: 100%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $12,833
  • Percent Admitted: 83%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 9%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%

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

95.61% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 7777 S Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK - 74171
  • (918) 495-6161
Nurse Admin: Audrey Thompson, PhD, RN
Title: Associate Dean
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.61%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Bachelor

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 151
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,920
  • Book and Supplies: N/A
  • Percent Received Aid: 99%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $17,713
  • Percent Admitted: 78%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 21%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%

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.

Oklahoma City Community College

95.40% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 7777 S May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK - 73159-9987
  • (405) 682-1611
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.40%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 133
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,059
  • Book and Supplies: $1,600
  • Percent Received Aid: 75%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $2,633
  • Percent Admitted: N/A
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: 15%

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.

University of Central Oklahoma - Edmond

Department of Nursing

94.01% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 100 N University Dr, Edmond, OK - 73034
  • (405) 974-2000
Nurse Admin: Barbara Arnold, EdD, MSN, RN
Title: Chairperson
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.01%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 557
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,030
  • Book and Supplies: $1,600
  • Percent Received Aid: 89%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,727
  • Percent Admitted: 80%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 48%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%

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

Oklahoma Baptist University

College of Nursing

92.59% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 500 W University, Shawnee, OK - 74804
  • (405) 275-2850
Nurse Admin: Robbie Henson, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE
Title: Chair And Professor
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.59%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 99
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,300
  • Book and Supplies: N/A
  • Percent Received Aid: 100%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $22,195
  • Percent Admitted: 58%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 22%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%

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.

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Oklahoma

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Oklahoma

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Oklahoma offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Oklahoma  RN Licensing Requirements

Oklahoma State Board of Nursing
2915 N. Classen Boulevard, Suite 524
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 962-1800

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $85
License renewal (every two years), RN: $75

Continuing Education Requirements:
None

RN Licensure by Exams

When it is time to apply for licensure, nursing candidates must have official transcripts sent to the Board. Nurses must be able to provide evidence of having an acceptable professional and legal background. The application includes questions about professional fitness. A criminal background does not always automatically disqualify and candidate from obtaining licensure. However, a candidate who has a felony conviction will not be eligible until at least five years after the retribution. The only exception to this is candidates who were granted a presidential or gubernatorial pardon. The application fee for the state of Oklahoma is $85. It will then be necessary to register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX exam and pay the $200 fee. When the application and registration process have been completed, the candidate will be issued Authorization to Test (ATT). This will grant the applicant a 90-day window to take the exam. However, it is recommended that scheduling be done immediately. Candidates are required to apply to the Board within two years after graduation and failure to do so will require an approved refresher course.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

In order to obtain licensure by endorsement, candidates must submit verification of licensure from the original state. In some cases, registered nurses will need to submit transcripts as well. Nurses who do not meet minimum practice requirements will be required to display continuing competency through education. Military spouses are not adhered to the same requirements.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

Nurses who were educated in a country outside of the United States will need to provide certification VisaScreen, or educational evaluation from CGFNS. To obtain licensure at the RN level, candidates will be required to demonstrate coursework and clinical work in mental health as well as adult, pediatric, and maternal-infant care. International candidates must also prove English proficiency if they are from a country where English is not the primary language.

RN Salaries in Oklahoma

Nursing schools in Oklahoma can help students earn a degree and expand opportunities and practice options. Some opportunities that may become available to BSN graduates include:

  • Administrative areas in medical centers
  • Occupational nursing in large companies
  • Oncology, psychiatric, and critical care nursing units
  • Public health nursing, case management, home health positions

Nurses in Oklahoma earn an average annual wage of $57,130. The wage and position that is offered to a registered nurse is dependent on experience and education level.

Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.


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