Best Online Nursing Schools in Oklahoma (OK)
Start or advance your career as an RN by enrolling in one of the top online or on-campus nursing programs in Oklahoma. Find out which schools rank best in the state for 2025.
According to the American Medical Association, there’s a serious shortage of trained and licensed nurses across the country. Oklahoma is not immune from the problem, with the shortage there worsened further by COVID-19. For those interested in entering or moving up in the nursing profession, that means increases in salaries and other benefits for nurses along with more open positions in the state.
If you want to take advantage of this heightened demand, there are many accredited nursing schools in Oklahoma that can give you the necessary training. This guide spotlights the best nursing schools in Oklahoma to help you find a quality, affordable online or campus program that’s right for you, whether you’re a first-time nursing student or are a current RN who wants to qualify for advanced nursing roles. You’ll also find other helpful information on financial aid, licensing requirements, and salary potential for Oklahoma nurses. Get started on your Oklahoma nursing school search below.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Weatherford, Oklahoma
Public
Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Public
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Public
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Public
University of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, Oklahoma
Public
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Goodwell, Oklahoma
Public
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Private
Oklahoma Christian University
Edmond, Oklahoma
Private
Oral Roberts University
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Private
Types of Nursing Programs Available in Oklahoma
Below are descriptions of the most common nursing degree and certificates available from nursing schools in Oklahoma. Links to examples of each type of program are also provided.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Oklahoma
ADN Programs
An ADN offers a quick path to NCLEX-RN eligibility for students with little or no previous college experience. ADN programs typically require two years of full-time or three years of part-time study and are available at community colleges, state colleges, and some state universities.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with this Program
Traditional BSN Programs
Traditional BSN programs are for students with little or no previous college coursework seeking both NCLEX-RN eligibility and bachelor’s degrees. Programs are usually structured with four-year curriculums combining two years of lower-division general education and two years of upper-division nursing theory and clinical courses.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated (Second Degree or Fast Track) BSN programs allow non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders to apply previously-earned, lower-division coursework to their BSN requirements, significantly reducing program time and cost. Most Accelerated BSN students complete all degree requirements in 18 months or less of full-time study. Accelerated BSNs also qualify for the NCLEX-RN.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Oklahoma for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN programs are for current LPNs and, in some cases, other healthcare professionals like EMTs, interested in advancing their careers to become RNs. LPN to RN programs are usually offered by community colleges and require three semesters of coursework with graduates awarded ADN degrees. RN to BSN programs take three years or more and are usually available from four-year schools.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
Current RNs looking to expand their careers often opt for RN to BSN programs. Completion times are a year of full-time and two years of part-time study. Some RN to BSN programs in Oklahoma are 100% online.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
RN to MSN programs are for current RNs without BSNs and who to advance into administration and other leadership roles. RN to MSN programs feature specialization options and are often offered in fully-online formats. Applicants usually need non-nursing bachelor’s degrees and ADNs. Program lengths vary from 2 ½ to three years or longer depending on study pace, specializations, and clinical hour requirements.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Oklahoma
MSN Programs
Earning an MSN is practically a requirement for anyone interested in moving into an advanced nursing practice or nursing administration leadership position. Admission normally requires both a current RN license and a BSN. There are usually several specializations, some of which are 100% online. Completion times vary from 18 months to two years or longer.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with This Program
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
Nursing doctoral degree programs are for nurses determined to reach the very top of the profession. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares students for senior leadership roles in healthcare administration and advanced nursing practice. The PhD in Nursing is for nurses seeking top positions in post-secondary education and advanced research.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Certificates
Nursing post-graduate certificates provide current graduate degree holders the opportunity to specialize without having to complete another degree. Specializations include nursing education, nursing and healthcare leadership, and any of several advanced nurse practitioner areas. Completion times vary by specialization and study pace, but most require approximately one to two years. Fully-online programs are sometimes available.
Examples of Oklahoma Nursing Schools with This Program
Detailing Online Nursing Programs in Oklahoma
Distance learning plays a major role in many nursing programs in Oklahoma, and you’ll likely find online elements like assignments, lectures, and exams in most programs. You’ll also communicate with your instructors and peers online a lot as well. Many nursing programs, especially pre-licensure ones, still include clinical rotations that you’ll attend in-person in addition to any labs, seminars, short-term residencies, and similar activities that require attendance on-campus. At the same time, some nursing schools in Oklahoma now offer degrees and certificates that are completed 100% online.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Oklahoma
There are many financial aid resources available to Oklahoma nursing students. These include scholarships and grants, some offered by the State of Oklahoma and Oklahoma nursing schools themselves, work study programs, assistantships and fellowships (mostly for grad students), employer tuition assistance, and the GI Bill for active-duty military and veterans.
The most common financial aid resource for most students is student loans, particularly those through federal student loan programs. The federal government also sponsors student loan repayment opportunities through its Health Resources & Services Administration open to qualifying nursing students. Another important funding opportunity is the State-sponsored Nursing Student Assistance Program with substantial financial assistance for nursing students willing to fulfill a practice obligation in a rural Oklahoma community upon graduation.
For more information and advice on funding your nursing education, visit EduMed’s financial aid guide, nursing scholarship guide, and guide to graduating from nursing school debt-free.
How to Become an RN in Oklahoma: Licensing Details and Requirements
An RN license is a requirement for practice as a registered nurse in Oklahoma, and this requirement is met in one of three ways. First, you can possess a multistate license from one of the 39 member jurisdictions making up the Nurse License Compact, or you can obtain an Oklahoma RN license through the endorsement process. For a first-time license applicant, though, obtaining an Oklahoma RN license happens via examination.
Application for licensure by examination is administered by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) and can result in either single state (Oklahoma) or multistate licensure. Below are the steps you’ll take to obtain your multistate RN license. Although there are some differences in the single state and multistate licensure requirements, the basic steps are generally the same.
Submit your Oklahoma RN license application
The OBN recommends you submit your application approximately two months before graduation from your pre-license nursing program. You’ll complete your application online using the Oklahoma Nurse Portal. Submission requirements include proof of citizenship, declaration of your primary state of residence, and your fingerprint card for conducting state and national criminal history searches. You may also need to provide descriptions and additional documentation regarding any criminal charge, disciplinary action, or competency questions to which you answered “yes” on the application.
Graduate from your pre-licensure nursing degree program
For most Oklahoma residents, this means completing either an ADN or BSN degree program through one of the many nationally-accredited and state-approved nursing schools in Oklahoma. Upon graduation, make sure a copy of your official program transcript is submitted to the OBN.
Register for and take the NCLEX-RN exam
The NCLEX-RN examination is administered exclusively by Pearson VUE. Once you register, including paying the registration fee, and your RN license application is approved by the OBN, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from Pearson VUE that allows you to schedule your exam, which you do through your Pearson VUE account. You’ll then take the exam at any one of Pearson VUE’s domestic or international test locations.
For helpful information on preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam, visit this NCSBN website.
Verify the issuance of your RN license
You’ll receive the official results of your NCLEX-RN exam and verification of your newly-issued RN license from the OBN via the Nurse Portal approximately six weeks after taking the exam. Pearson VUE will not provide you with your official exam results. However, you may access unofficial results through Pearson VUE two business days after taking the exam.
Keep your Oklahoma RN license current
All Oklahoma-issued RN licenses expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month of even-numbered years. You can renew your license online using the OBN Nurse Portal. Renewal requires payment of the renewal fee and proof of meeting one of five options for continuing qualifications, including CE hours, professional employment, and certification in a nursing specialty area
Salary and Job Outlook for RNs in Oklahoma
If you are wondering whether studying to become a nurse is a good idea, consider the data we have compiled below. In Oklahoma, nurses earn, on average, $78,760 per year. The highest-paid registered nurses make $101,390, while the lowest earn $61,360. Of course, depending on the location you work in, these figures will differ. For example, in Lawton, the highest-paid registered nurses make $140,420, and the lowest make $65,190. On average, nurses here earn $81,910. In Enid, registered nurses make a bit less. Here, the average salary for registered nurses is $78,300, with the highest percentile of earners making $92,290 and the lowest earning $55,440. Additionally, there will be a 4.80% increase in jobs around the state, which amounts to 2,240 new jobs created each year. In the United States, the outlook is a 5.60% increase, with 193,100 new openings expected in the coming years.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $61,360 | $78,760 | $101,390 |
| Enid, OK | $55,440 | $78,300 | $92,290 |
| Lawton, OK | $65,190 | $81,910 | $140,420 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $62,830 | $79,850 | $99,020 |
| Tulsa, OK | $60,540 | $79,060 | $101,520 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Oklahoma | 37,490 | 39,290 | 1,800 | 4.80% | 2,240 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Oklahoma Nursing Resources
American Association of Nurse Practitioners – Oklahoma
American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Oklahoma Chapter
Oklahoma Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
Oklahoma Children First Program (Nurse-Family Partnership)
Oklahoma Emergency Nurses Association
