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Top Oklahoma RN to BSN Programs

As the U.S. healthcare system continues to go through a period of significant change, more is being expected of registered nurses. Today, the vast majority of employers want their RNs to hold a bachelor's degree at the very least. In fact, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 46 percent of healthcare employers require new registered nurse hires to have a BSN degree, while 88 percent who were surveyed expressed having a strong preference towards those with BSN degrees. As a result, RNs who wish to stay in front of the rapid changes that are occurring in the healthcare field, are headed back to school to earn their bachelor's degrees. With a seemingly limitless number of schools offering RN to BSN programs, sifting through them all to find the best one can be a challenge. To help make that process smoother, we've compiled a list of the top RN to BSN programs across the state of Oklahoma.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Oklahoma

Nurses looking to enroll in an RN to BSN program in Oklahoma should consider the following factors before settling on a program:

  • Program acceptance and retention rates
  • Cost of tuition and fees
  • Instructor/faculty experience
  • Gainful employment data upon graduation from the program
  • Class/cohort sizes
  • Hospital partnerships and internship opportunities
  • Program accreditation and/or awards
  • Age of school and program
  • Scholarship/financial aid/grant opportunities

Testing and Certification

No further licensure or certification exams are required upon graduation from an RN to BSN program. Students are required to have already taken and passed the NCLEX-RN prior to enrolling in an RN to BSN bridge program.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Oklahoma

1. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences

Founded in 1971, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences is a public university in Oklahoma City which serves as the state's main place of instruction for healthcare professionals. UOHS offers a 30 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that features primarily online curriculum but also has optional in-class attendance hours on weekends. Students who enroll full-time can complete the program in just nine months, while those that attend part-time can finish in two years. During the program, students will have the privilege of frequently engaging with nationally certified faculty, often with doctorates, for one-on-one consultation and instruction. In addition to didactic coursework, students must complete an on-site practicum.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City
  • Select Specialty Hospital - Oklahoma City
  • Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma

Tuition:

While Oklahoma residents can expect to pay around $11,538 plus additional fees to attend UOHS's RN to BSN program, non-residents can expect to pay approximately $26,919 plus fees.

2. University of Central Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma, more than 130 years old, is a public university situated in the city of Edmond and is the third-largest university in the state. UCO offers a 30 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that does not require students to take any exams. Courses are delivered in 8-week formats, with students who are enrolled full time often completing the program in just two semesters. Full and part-time options are both available and new cohorts are admitted into the program during both fall and spring semesters.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • OU Medical Center Edmond
  • Mercy Westbrook Edmond
  • INTEGRIS

Tuition:

While in-state students can expect to pay around $7,740 plus additional fees to attend UCO's RN to BSN program, out-of-state students can expect to pay about $18,630 plus fees.

3. Southwestern Oklahoma State University

First established in 1901, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is one of six Regional University System of Oklahoma members and has campuses in Weatherford and Sayre. SOSU offers a 31 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that has been designed to support nurses' professional growth and leadership abilities. During the program, students will take courses like Nursing Research, Pharmacology, and Child Health Nursing, among others. New classes are accepted every spring, summer, and fall semester.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Weatherford Regional Hospital
  • Sayre Memorial Hospital
  • Great Plains Regional Medical Center

Tuition:

For current information on SOSU's RN to BSN program tuition, contact them at (580) 774-3261.

4. Oklahoma Christian University - Oklahoma City

Founded in 1950 by members of the Churches of Christ, Oklahoma Christian University is a small, private, Christian university that's located in Oklahoma City. OCU offers students an online RN to BSN program that can be completed in just 12 months. The program's coursework is designed to equip students with 45 competencies that are divided into nine categories. Some examples of those competency categories include Lifesaving Critical Thinking, Servant Leadership, Healthcare Advocacy, and Managing Successful Nursing Teams, to name a few. What sets OCU's program apart from others in the state is that it allows students to test out as many courses as they can in four months for $4,000.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Select Specialty Hospital - Oklahoma City
  • Oklahoma City VA Health Care System
  • Community Hospital

Tuition:

Many students who attend OCU's RN to BSN program complete the degree in 12 months and pay a total tuition cost of $12,000.

5. Oral Roberts University

Originally established in 1963, Oral Roberts University is a private evangelical university located in Tulsa. ORU's 31 semester credit RN to BSN program is delivered entirely online and can be completed in just 12 months if students are enrolled full-time. Courses that students will take while enrolled in the program include Determinants of Health, Health Informatics, and Community Health, among many others.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Hillcrest Hospital South
  • Saint Francis Hospital
  • Oklahoma State University Medical Center

Tuition:

Depending on how quickly students complete the program will determine how much they pay. However, tuition and fees at ORU's RN to BSN program can cost students $13,364. Discounts for veterans and active military personnel are also available.