Accelerated BSN Programs at Oklahoma Nursing Schools
Working as a nurse in Oklahoma offers its own unique set of rewards and challenges. If you already have a non-nursing degree, you are well on your way to having a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. You can complete a BSN in Oklahoma in as little as 12 months, using your general education credits from your first degree towards your Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
While an accelerated nursing program does require a great deal of work and concentration, it can likely pay off with a rewarding, stable career. Students may go to an online university that accepts Oklahoma students or a traditional campus based program.
To learn more about all of your options for earning your Fast Track or Accelerated BSN in Oklahoma, use our listing of programs below. We have featured schools that typically offer online and distance learning options, which many students prefer based on the flexibility. Requesting information is easy, and can provide you with valuable resources to help you make your decision about nursing schools. Simply click on the school links below to request program information.
Accelerated BSN Curriculum in Oklahoma
To be prepared for an accelerated BSN program in Oklahoma, you must meet certain requirements. Most schools require transcripts from previous degree programs and have GPA requirements that must be met. Furthermore, you must complete prerequisite coursework in anatomy, human biology, and chemistry.
Accelerated BSN programs in Oklahoma blend classroom learning with real-life clinical experience to give you a complete education in nursing in about one year. Before you can see patients in clinical rotations, you have to complete a variety of courses in nursing. Early classes in BSN programs include medication administration, pharmacology, and introductory nursing assessment and care planning.
After you’ve learned basic nursing skills, your program will put you through classes in different nursing specialties that prepare you to be a Registered Nurse. Some types of nursing require specific skills and knowledge, and these are the fields that you will study for your BSN. Common classes for an accelerated BSN include caring for childbearing women, caring for children and adolescents, and hospice care. You will also take classes on nursing leadership and research, which help to prepare you for upper level positions within the profession.
Your book knowledge will be tested, along with your general aptitude for nursing, when you do your clinical rotations. You will be supervised by a clinical nurse, who will assess and help you improve your skills in many different areas. Since this degree is for nurses in all specialties, your clinical rotations will be done in many different environments.
Nursing Career Outlook in Oklahoma
Starting a nursing career in Oklahoma is a good move for new BSN graduates, due to the increasing demand for educated nurses. The demand for nurses in Oklahoma is growing quicker than the rest of the country; it is expected to grow 29% between 2010 and 2020.
Depending on where you work—hospital, clinic, or nursing home—your salary in Oklahoma will vary. The median salary in Oklahoma is $55,700 (O*Net, 2012). Those with more experience and training may be able to earn over $70,000 (O*Net, 2012).
There are many nursing employers in Oklahoma. Some of the largest include Angels Care Home Health, Brookdale Senior Living, Select Specialty Hospital, Healogics, and Robison Medical Resource Group.
Nursing Licensing Considerations in Oklahoma
Once you’ve completed your nursing degree, it’s likely that you are ready to get a job and start working as a nurse. Prior to beginning your nursing career, you have to receive your license from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. You must first take the NCLEX-RN exam, and you can receive your license after you have passed the exam. License renewal is due by the end of your birth month every two years.
Building a strong professional network is an incredibly important part of successfully working as a nurse. Many nurses choose to start their professional network by joining the Oklahoma Nurses Association. New nurses can receive job postings by region, attend staffing conferences, and learn about nursing issues that Oklahoma nurses face every day.
