Oklahoma has three primary nursing roles. In order of increasing responsibility and pay, these roles are certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and registered nurse (RN). Each nursing role carries distinct educational requirements.
Certified nursing assistants must complete a brief certificate program. This CNA certificate can be earned within eight to ten weeks at a number of community colleges and technology centers throughout Oklahoma. The state’s CNAs earn a median annual salary of $21,490.
Oklahoma
We've organized a comprehensive list of Oklahoma nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major Oklahoma city.
Oklahoma school overviews
Oklahoma nursing programs and careers
Healthcare is one of the top industries in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The metropolitan area, which is home to more than 69,000 people, houses top healthcare employers like Muskogee Regional Medical Center, Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, and Saint Francis Hospital. Together, these hospitals and medical centers employ more than 2,000 healthcare professionals. The city’s three most common nursing roles are registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA).
The nursing community in Lawton, Oklahoma, consists of nearly 900 registered nurses (RNs), 500 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and 400 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Though these are the most common nursing roles in this southwestern Oklahoma city, dozens of nurses here also work in advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) roles like nurse practitioner and certified registered nurse anesthetist.
It is crucial for aspiring nurses to understand the different pathways available for a nursing career. We profile below the key nursing roles in Tulsa, Oklahoma, including the educational requirements and typical pay of each.
Certified nursing assistant
Nurses are increasingly in high demand throughout the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Students considering a nursing career should learn more about the three critical nursing roles.
Certified nursing assistant
A master of science in nursing (MSN) is a graduate degree that enables nurses to further their careers in advanced fields like nursing administration, nursing education, and family practice nursing. The MSN degree is a prerequisite for registered nurses (RNs) to assume specialized roles with higher earning potential, like nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist. For example, Oklahoma’s RNs earn a median annual salary of $57,000. By comparison, the state’s nurse practitioners earn $81,000 per year, and its nurse anesthetists receive $165,000 in annual compensation.
An RN-to-BSN program enables an existing registered nurse (RN) with an associate’s degree to rapidly attain a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. Oklahoma’s RN-to-BSN programs have experienced a surge in demand, as healthcare employers demonstrate a preference for BSN-educated nurses in their hiring and promotion decisions. Oklahoma is home to well over a dozen RN-to-BSN programs. We highlight below three of the state’s top programs.
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma’s nursing schools are experiencing increased demand for their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs. This is driven by employer preference: the state’s healthcare providers increasingly favor BSN-educated nurses in their hiring and promotion decisions. While Oklahoma’s registered nurses (RNs) earn an attractive median salary of $56,870, those with BSN degrees frequently earn top-quartile pay of $67,460 or more.
In Oklahoma, most associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) programs focus on licensure for aspiring registered nurses (RNs). However, a handful of associate’s degree programs offered by Platt College prepare candidates to work as licensed practical nurses (LPNs). In either case, the associate’s degree requires just two years of fulltime study, much briefer than traditional four-year degree programs. Oklahoma’s registered nurses can look forward to an attractive median income of almost $57,000 upon graduation. We highlight below a few of the top ADN programs in the state.
Registered nurses (RNs) are the critical cogwheel in the healthcare system, serving as a liaison between medical staff, more junior nurses, and the patient. Oklahoma has two types of prelicensure RN programs: a two-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The state’s RNs earn a median annual salary of $56,870. Below we’ve profiled three of Oklahoma’s top RN programs in depth.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) holds many responsibilities in assisting sick, injured, and elderly patients. LPNs usually work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). The LPN role is especially attractive to students who wish to enter the workforce quickly, since most candidates pursue a brief 12- to 18-month certificate. The lengthier option to pursue a two-year associate’s degree is also available in Oklahoma. The state’s LPNs earn a median annual salary of $36,900. We profile below several of the top LPN programs in Oklahoma.