Nurse Science
What is nurse science?
Why nurse science?
Program pathways
There are two pathway options to prepare students to practice nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN): the traditional four-semester option for entry-level students and the career ladder option for state/compact-licensed practical nurses and state-licensed paramedics.
Program Information
- Cost of Attendance
The Nurse Science Program has additional costs not addressed on the campus' website:
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nursing student uniforms, patches, nursing pin
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special equipment such as a stethoscope and watch
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liability insurance
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application fee for licensure examination upon graduation
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Career Ladder Pathway (LPN/Paramedic) students: Advance Standing Fees per credit hour
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Clinical requirements (vaccinations, immunity titers, TB tests, American Heart Association BLS course, etc.)
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Lab fees
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Books and online programs fees
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Standardized readiness exams and resources fees
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Entrance Exams
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Criminal Background checks and urine drug screen following acceptance into the program
For assistance in applying for grants, loans, tuition waivers and scholarships, please contact a financial aid officer at (405) 945-8646.
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- Student Handbooks
- Downloadable Forms
This section provides separate, downloadable versions of the forms from the Nursing Student Handbook.
Appendix A: Attestation Forms
- Nurse Science Student Handbook Attestation and Oath of Confidentiality
- Release of Information
- Authorization for Photography and Recording of Simulation Sessions
- OSU-OKC Agreement for Simulation/Lab
- Combined document that includes all of the above forms
Appendix B: Annual Tuberculosis Screening Form
Appendix C: Hepatitis B Vaccination In-progress/Declination Form
Appendix D: Release to Return to Clinical Activity Form
Appendix E: Student Counseling and Contract Form
Appendix F: Request to Repeat a Course Form
- Frequently Asked Questions
While we try to answer a lot of the most frequently asked questions on this page, we do appreciate that we cannot list the answer to every question. If you have any questions that are not yet listed, please reach out to us at okc.nursing@okstate.edu.
Why do I need to take general and related courses?
At OSU-Oklahoma City, you will earn an associate in applied science degree with a major in Nurse Science. The general and related courses required for this degree will assist in providing you with the knowledge and skills you need to care for your patients and their families. Certain general education courses also are required by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for anyone earning a college degree.
Will courses taken at other universities transfer to the OSU-OKC Nursing Program?
Some do. General education courses, such as English Composition and Psychology, will usually transfer if they are three-credit-hour courses. Science courses must be a minimum of four credit hours and must have a lab. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Course Equivalency Project website (https://www.okhighered.org/CourseSearch) allows you to review the content area charts or you can click the searchable CEP Database on that same page to determine equivalency. For courses that are not on the transfer guides, you must obtain a course description and submit it to the nursing department.
How long will it take to complete the Nursing Program?
The program is designed with a preliminary semester of general education and four semesters of nursing courses. It takes two years to complete the nursing coursework once admitted into the Nursing Program. However, due to the current competitiveness of admission into the Nurse Science Program, most students take 2-4 semesters of courses prior to being admitted into the Nursing Program.
Can I "Fast-Track" the nursing courses?
We do not have a "fast-track" program. Additionally, you cannot double up on the nursing courses because each course builds upon the previous course. Even if you have all of your support and related courses completed or have a degree in another field, it will still take two years to complete the core nursing courses.
How do you determine who is going to be accepted?
Admission to the Nursing Program is based upon a points system. You can review the points system here.
What do I do if I am not accepted?
Many students continue to take courses while awaiting the next application cycle in one of our other health-related programs or in other areas of interest. We recommend talking with an advisor, as they can help you with next steps. You can find the advisors, with the majors they support, here.
How often does the Nursing Program admit students?
The OSU-Oklahoma City Nursing Program admits twice a year, once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester.
What are my chances of passing the State Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) after graduating from the OSU-OKC Nursing Program?
The NCLEX-RN Pass Rate at OSU-OKC is currently greater than the national and state average.
How do I apply?
- Be admitted to OSU-OKC.
- Have an active student account (OKEY) and can receive emails to your official okstate.edu email address.
- Have completed the required courses listed below.
- Have completed the Accuplacer or appropriate Career Ladder Mobility Exam.
- Complete the application
Both Career Ladder and Traditional applications are found under downloadable forms. The application, additional requirements, and all required materials are to be submitted together by their respective deadlines.
What are the pre-requisite courses?
In order to apply for the Nursing Program, you must have successfully completed CHEM 1154 or 1315, ENGL 1113, NSCI 1113, and PSYC 1113.
If you are an LPN or Paramedic, you must have successfully completed BIOL 2214, CHEM 1154 or 1315, ENGL 1113, NSCI 1113, PSYC 1113, and PSYC 2213 in order to apply.
What other courses are required?
For the traditional program, required courses that may be taken concurrently with the nursing courses are BIOL 2214, ENGL 1213, HIST 1483 or 1493, MCRO 2124, POLS 1113, PSIO 2314, and PSYC 2213.
For the LPN or paramedic, required courses that may be taken concurrently with the nursing courses are ENGL 1213, HIST 1483 or 1493, PSIO 2314, MCRO 2124, and POLS 1113.
I’m an LPN/Paramedic, how long is the program for me?
Once you’ve completed the pre-requisite courses, you will have three semesters of nursing courses.
I’m an LPN. How does the new Memorandum of Understanding between Higher Education and Career Tech help me?
The MOU's focus was to remove barriers to transitioning from LPN to RN. It removed the requirements for the LPN program to be accredited, it removed placement testing requirements, and it includes awarding up to 18 credit hours of prior learning credit for your LPN license. The MOU did not change admissions requirements or the requirement for certain courses to be completed prior to being eligible to apply for admission. We were also approved to apply this to our Paramedic-to-RN students, as both LPNs and Paramedics can benefit from this opportunity. This is how the changes impacted processes at OSU-OKC:
- We do not require the applicant's program to be accredited. We are only interested in the LPN Licensure or the Paramedic Licensure and/or National Registry. (This was not a change for us.)
- We removed the admissions testing requirements.
- You must still meet other admissions requirements to be eligible to apply for admission.
- Completion of NURS 1314 with a "C" or better awards 17 credit hours of prior learning credit.
For more information, you can read the press release about the MOU at https://okhighered.org/2024/02/state-regents-careertech-sign-statewide-nursing-articulation-agreement/.
Once in the nursing program, what does the schedule look like?
The schedule varies depending on track and semester. Click the link for more information about the typical schedule for a Traditional student or a Career Ladder student.
Program Commitment
It takes generally two years to complete the nursing coursework once admitted into the Nursing Program. However, due to the current competitiveness of admission into the Nurse Science Program, most students take 2-4 semesters of courses prior to being admitted into the Nursing Program.
You will spend about five hours a week in class and 9 hours a week in labs/clinical/simulations. Our classes, labs, and simulations are during the day. Clinical experiences can be during the day or evening, based on clinical slot availability. When combined with the recommended 1-3 hours study per credit hour taken, one can expect to spend at least 25-30 hours a week on school-related work.
OSU-OKC does not offer a "fast-track" program for Nurse Science. Additionally, you cannot double up on the nursing courses because each course builds upon the previous course. Even if you have all of your support and related courses completed or have a degree in another field, it will still take two years to complete the core nursing courses.
For LPN/Paramedic students, you will have three semesters of nursing courses once you have completed the prerequisite courses. Your first course is NURS 1314. Upon successful completion of this course, you will progress into the next two semesters of the traditional program.
Accreditation
The Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City Nurse Science Program is fully approved by:
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
2501 N Lincoln Blvd., Suite 207
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 962-1800
https://nursing.ok.gov
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
info@acenursing.org
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners is
for continuing accreditation.
For more information, contact:
440 N. Portland Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
(405) 945-3210
okc.nursing@okstate.edu