Nursing Schools in Oklahoma – OK

By Susan Maphis, allied health world contributing writer
Published: December, 9 2010

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Nursing schools in Oklahoma are available for students who wish to study to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs) or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Currently, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing has approved 56 colleges that offer LPN programs. These programs typically last about a year and usually result in the graduate earning a certificate or diploma. Additionally, the Board has approved 33 associate degree RN programs and 30 bachelor degree RN programs throughout Oklahoma.

Education for both LPNs and RNs usually consists of taking basic courses such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, English, math and psychology. When one gets into the APRN area, graduate courses are usually targeted at specific practice areas. For example, an RN who is taking graduate courses to become a family nurse practitioner would take courses in primary care, care along the lifespan, prescribing medications and assessing patients. After graduation, LPNs must take the national certification examination (the NCLEX-PN) prior to becoming licensed in Oklahoma, while RNs must take the NCLEX-RN. These examinations are administered by Pearson VUE testing centers. In Oklahoma, these centers are located in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, with nearby centers in Wichita, Kansas; Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Hurst, Texas.