Learn About Oklahoma Nursing Schools
There are few industries that are quite as important as health care. It’s an industry that transcends barriers of age, economic status, and other differences. No matter a person’s age, previous state of health, or income, they need access to health care to have any quality of life. By becoming a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you can help people throughout the state get the care they deserve.
Contact the nursing schools in Oklahoma listed below to get more information about starting a nursing program and entering this rewarding profession.
Becoming a nurse involves working with health scares and major crises that may affect your community or the entire country. The recent Ebola scare, for example, did affect the United States. As a result, Oklahoma nurses received extensive training on this disease and its spread.
Oklahoma also has a fairly strong nursing community that can support you as you grow into your new career. Local nursing groups award scholarships to promising students, teach members about the nursing industry, and invite suggestions for improvement and growth.
Rural nursing jobs are often an area of potential growth for nurses. Local schools have expanded their rural nursing programs in order to address needs in nearby counties. This may be particularly helpful for you if you’re willing to travel to work.
Nursing Education in Oklahoma
Nursing is a science-heavy field, so you should be ready to study quite a bit and spend a lot of time in the field to become a skilled professional. When you start your education, you may take prerequisite courses like Human Physiology, Human Anatomy, Microbiology, and Human Biology. These courses give you an in-depth look at the human body and what it is capable of.
With these courses under your belt, you may move swiftly to higher-level courses. Courses that are often part of Oklahoma nursing curricula include Health Assessment, Foundations of Nursing, Nursing Pharmacology, Adult Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing, and Critical Care Nursing. You may put your new knowledge to work in local nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics. In total, anticipate spending at least 500 hours in a field setting.
Exploring scholarships and grants may only require a few hours of work every year, but it can pay off in many ways. Apply for as many grants as possible to reduce your financial burden. Mercy Oklahoma is one local employer with a strong scholarship program for nurses. Through INTEGRIS, you can take part in many diverse nursing scholarship programs. The PMTC Nursing Student Assistance Program is intended specifically for Oklahoma students.
Nursing Degree Programs in Oklahoma
Links for nursing school options are below.
Transition programs for nurses:
Graduate programs for nurses:
- All Masters in Nursing Programs in OK
- All DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs in OK
- All Nurse Practitioner Programs in OK
Entry level nursing programs:
- All LPN/LVN Programs in OK
- All Associate Degree Nursing Programs in OK
- All Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in OK
- All Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in OK
- Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Programs in OK
Job Outlook for Nursing in Oklahoma
Anticipated job growth in Oklahoma is quite promising. By the year 2022, O*Net hopes to see a 14% increase in LPN jobs. Registered nurses may experience a 17% boost in job openings (O*Net, 2012).
As a nursing professional, you may earn a wide range of salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPNs earn an average of $39,290 per year (2016). Those who work as registered nurses report a median salary of $60,630 per year (BLS, 2016).
Keep in mind that you must be licensed to work as an LPN or RN before starting your career. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing regulates different nursing professions, so you may want to start applying when you get close to the end of your education.
Be sure to check out a few of the top employers near you:Saint Francis Hospital, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, University of Oklahoma Medical Center, and Saint Anthony Hospital.
