If you are searching for Master’s in Nursing degree programs in Oklahoma, then you will be happy to learn that there are many top-notch programs available in multiple nursing specialty areas at five of the highest ranked universities in the West. While the 20th largest state in the nation may be best known for its cattle drives over vast prairies in the Great Plains of the south-central United States, Oklahoma is a major hub of economic activity beyond agriculture. In fact, the “Sooner State” has one of the fastest growing economics in the nation and ranks among the top states for per capita income growth. In order to fulfill a critical need for advanced practice nurses statewide, the following are the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs accredited by the CCNE or ACEN in Oklahoma.
Northeastern State University
Department of Health Professions
Since being established in 1846 as a National Male and National Female Seminary for the Cherokees, Northeastern State University has grown into a comprehensive four-year public institution with a total enrollment of more than 8,700 students. While the main 200-acre rural campus is based in the heart of the Cherokee Nation in the small city of Tahlequah within one hour from downtown Tulsa in the Ozark Mountains, NSU also offers learning options at its satellite campuses in Broken Arrow, Muskogee, and online from anywhere in the nation. The Department of Health Professions is dedicated to providing specialized educational experiences for students pursuing career goals encompassed within the healthcare industry.
Master of Science in Nursing Education
Designed to lead to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specific focus on preparation for assuming the role of nurse educator, the Master of Science in Nursing Education program aims to provide the knowledge and skills needed for qualified registered nurses at the graduate level to train other future nurses. The program has been established to directly address the critical shortage of nurse educators across the state and the immediate region that Northeastern State University serves. As an online program that requires the completion of at least 32 semester hours, the track can typically be completed in just three semesters full-time or five semesters part-time for registered nurses with an accredited bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Accreditations
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
Mike Synar Center Room 134
600 North Grand Avenue
Tahlequah, OK 74464
(918) 456-5511
[email protected]
https://academics.nsuok.edu/healthprofessions/DegreePrograms/Nursing/NursingEducationMSN/default.aspx
Oklahoma Baptist University
College of Graduate and Professional Studies
Maintaining a 103-year-old tradition as a comprehensive independent Christian institution rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, Oklahoma Baptist University is home to a close-knit community of just over 2,050 students on a 200-acre urban campus in the quiet city of Shawnee within just 30 minutes from downtown Oklahoma City. As the state’s highest rated regional college, OBU is ranked as the 5th best college in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, the College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers the 193rd best graduate nursing degree programs in the United States.
MSN in Nursing Education
As an innovative track that leads to earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) within as little as 18 months with classes meeting just one night per week on-campus, the Nursing Education program is designed to provide registered nurses with the expertise needed to educate the next generation of nurses in both classroom and clinical settings. While all students are required to complete foundational courses to strengthen their professional ethics, the program is highly customizable to provide a personalized education that fits all desired career goals. With a view of nursing as a Christian ministry, the track focuses on all of the principles and skills that are needed to produce competent nurse educators in a contemporary learning environment.
MSN in Global Nursing
Featuring a seamless integration of advanced practice nursing knowledge with Judeo-Christian values, the Global Nursing track for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program aims to prepare registered nurses for delivering healthcare with diverse populations in advanced leadership roles in today’s rapidly evolving medical systems. The track is specifically designed for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree who wish to further advance their career into leadership at international or cross-cultural healthcare organizations. Within the 18-month cohort-based program, students have the valuable opportunity to engage in nursing care at one of several healthcare centers in Oklahoma City with people from various cultures.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
500 West University Street
Shawnee, OK 74804
(405) 585-4450
[email protected]
https://www.okbu.edu/graduate/nursing/msn/index.html
Oklahoma City University
Kramer School of Nursing
Situated on a welcoming 104-acre urban park-like campus in the heart of the state’s capital city with more than 4,000 students, Oklahoma City University is a private coeducational liberal arts institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Consistently named on Forbes’ list for the “Best Christian Colleges,” OCU is currently ranked as the 24th best college and 6th best university for military veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Kramer School of Nursing stands out from the crowd by offering the 166th best graduate nursing degree programs in the entire nation.
Nursing Education
With the goal of preparing registered nurses to further their career by serving as faculty members at the university level for teaching in post-secondary nursing programs, the Nursing Education track is ideal for any nurses seeking to become nurse educators in schools of practical nursing, associate degree programs, baccalaureate nursing programs, and staff education positions in the clinical healthcare system. Due to the state’s severe demand for nurses with graduate degrees, all applicants meeting the admission requirements on the school’s website will be accepted without being placed on a waiting list. In addition to the 33-credit track for bachelor’s level nurses, the program can be pursued in an RN to MSN format with additional credits.
Nursing Leadership
Available either full-time or part-time with all nursing courses scheduled once a week during evening hours to accommodate registered nurses maintaining full employment, the Nursing Leadership track leads to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with the completion of just 36 credit hours. Featuring a blend of advanced practice nursing and business administration coursework, the track is designed to prepare nurses to climb the ladder into mid and upper-level management roles within healthcare organizations. On the pathway towards executive leadership, students must take courses in nursing informatics, healthcare policy, quality improvement, healthcare law, financial management, health economics, and a nursing administration practicum.
Accreditations
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
2501 North Blackwelder Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 208-5900
[email protected]
http://www.okcu.edu/nursing/programs/masters/
Southern Nazarene University
School of Nursing
First established in 1899 as an independent Christian liberal arts institution by the Church of the Nazarene to transform lives through higher learning, Southern Nazarene University is situated on a 40-acre suburban campus in the dynamic town of Bethany on the western outskirts of downtown Oklahoma City. As home to a Christ-centered community of over 1,700 students, SNU is ranked as the 80th best college in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Nursing is also nationally recognized for the 265th best graduate nursing programs in the United States.
Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Offered on-campus in Bethany and Tulsa in a convenient format of classes one night per week to make earning an advanced practice nursing degree doable for working professionals, the Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for baccalaureate-level registered nurses who are interested in furthering their effectiveness as nurses. As an accelerated modular professional study program, the curriculum consists of 18 credits of nursing core content, 15 credits of specialty courses, and a six-credit capstone Master’s thesis project. Depending on future professional goals, the program allows nurses to concentrate their studies in Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
6729 NW 39th Expressway
Bethany, OK 73008
(405) 491-6630
[email protected]
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
College of Nursing
Renowned for being one of the only primary healthcare centers in the world actively engaged in genome studies, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center consists of seven health-related public research colleges situated on 60 acres within a close distance from the state capitol in downtown Oklahoma City. As home to the largest biomedical initiative ever launched in the state, OUHSC is the fastest growing health sciences hub in central Oklahoma. With a dedication for continuing to be the state’s largest nursing program, the College of Nursing is recognized for having the 79th best graduate nursing degrees in the entire country.
MS in Nursing: Administration/Management
With the goal of producing clinical nurse leaders who can oversee the delivery of a broad array of therapeutic nursing interventions to culturally diverse at-risk populations in specialized practice, the MSN in Nursing: Administration/Management track is designed to prepare registered nurses for assuming leadership roles in diverse healthcare organizations. As a 33-credit program, students can complete the pathway in just four semesters full-time or six semesters part-time on a flexible schedule. Graduates of the program will be well-equipped with the skills to strategically manage human, material, fiscal, and informational resources for the delivery of high-quality nursing care.
MS in Nursing: Clinical Nursing Specialist (CNS)
Rooted in a specific emphasis on serving the needs of adult/geriatric patients across a wide range of healthcare settings, the MS in Nursing: Clinical Nursing Specialist (CNS) track is structured to deliver the advanced practice nursing education needed to prepare skilled nurses for functioning at higher levels of nursing care in the diagnosis and treatment of acute or chronic illnesses. Graduates of the master’s degree program often go on to lead an interdisciplinary healthcare team, offer guidance to patients and families to navigate the changing healthcare delivery system, serve as advanced consultants, and become evidence-based nursing researchers. For completion, students will need to obtain at least 40 credits hours with 672 clock hours of clinical practice.
MS in Nursing: Education
Since the current critical shortage of qualified nurse educators has created an abundance of career opportunities nationwide in both academic nursing and professional staff development programs, the MS in Nursing: Education track aims to prepare bachelor’s-level registered nurses for assuming the advanced role of nurse educator. Based on the standards set by the National League for Nursing (NLN), the curriculum consists of 32 credit hours of study along with 320 clock hours of required teaching practicum activities in the nursing specialty. In Oklahoma, registered nurses must have at least two years of full-time professional nursing experience before becoming an educator.
MS in Nursing: Nurse Practitioner (NP)
With tracks available for registered nurses who are seeking to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), or Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), the MS in Nursing: Nurse Practitioner (NP) program is designed to prepare skilled nurse practitioners for working in diverse healthcare organizations with a specific focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Offered with full-time and part-time options to accommodate the schedules of working registered nurses, the 50 to 54-credit program features coursework delivered via Internet Protocol Video (IPV) between various campuses. In order to supplement the advanced education with hands-on experiences in managing healthcare treatment, students must also complete 840 clinical practicum hours.
Accreditations
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1100 North Stonewall Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
(405) 271-2428
[email protected]
https://nursing.ouhsc.edu/
Although Oklahoma has moderate per capita public health funding from the federal government, the state continues to suffer from a high rate of drug deaths, low immunization rates for children, and a severe limited available of primary care providers. If you are a registered nurse and are seeking to further your professional development for fulfilling growing shortages in the “Sooner State,” be sure to check out these Master’s in Nursing degree programs in Oklahoma to get on the right track towards improving the overall well-being of native Okies.
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