2021 - Best Nursing Schools in Oklahoma

Overview of Nursing Schools in Oklahoma

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

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

• University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center: 5
• Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City: 3
• Oklahoma City University – Okla. City: 2
• University of Central Oklahoma – Edmond: 1
• Tulsa Community College – Tulsa: 1
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University: 1
• Murray State College-Internet: 1
• Northern Okla. College-Tonkawa: 1
• Southern Nazarene University-Bethany: 1
• Bacone College: 1
• East Central University-Ada: 1
• National American University-Tulsa: 1
• Platt College-Tulsa: 1
• Oral Roberts University: 1
• Platt College-North OKC: 1
• Oklahoma Baptist University: 1
• University of Tulsa – Tulsa: 1
• Western Okla. State College-Altus: 1
• Rogers State University-Claremore: 1
• Northeastern State University: 1
• Okla. State Institute-Okmulgee: 1
• Northwestern Okla. State University-Alva: 1
• Oklahoma Christian University: 1
• Okla. State University-Goodwell: 1
• Oklahoma City Community College: 1
• Redlands Community College-El Reno: 1
• Langston University-Langston: 1
• Oklahoma Wesleyan University: 1
• Northeastern Okla. A&M College-Miami: 1
• Carl Albert State College-Poteau: 1
• Connors State College: 1
• Eastern Okla. State College-Wilburton: 1
• Rose State College-Internet: 1
• Okla. State Institute-Okmulgee: 1

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

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 16 ADN degree programs and 11 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. 

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:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

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.