The Nursing Student's Guide to Oklahoma City Education and Careers
...for students of nursing, registered nursing (RN), midwifery, hospice, and other health care fields
by Erin Hasinger
Nursing Schools.com Staff Writer
September 12, 2006
Oklahoma City saw its first great population boom in the late 1800s when homesteaders flocked here during the great Land Run. The discovery of oil brought more population growth and prosperity to the area in the 1920s, but through the majority of the 20th century, population declined and business was stagnant. After undergoing a recent exciting downtown renaissance, however, Oklahoma City has become more than just another corn-growing Great Plains city. It is home to staggering population increases, one of the south's fastest-growing entertainment districts, and cultural and recreational options to please anyone. A beacon in urban innovation, Oklahoma City is a carefully planned city, one that offers its residents an unparalleled quality of life, with a mild climate, low pollution, easy commutes, and a healthy economy.
Employment and Internships
According to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, registered nurses will see whopping 24% increase in job opportunities through 2012. LPNs should see a predicted 15% increase in the same time period.
Career and clinical externship opportunities are certainly plentiful in Oklahoma City, where students might find work with organizations such as INTEGRIS Health, Oklahoma's largest non-profit health care provider. INTEGRIS manages the city's largest medical employer, Baptist Medical Center, as well as Southwest Medical Center and Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Hospital. Oklahoma University Medical Center is Oklahoma's second-largest health care employer.
Other major employers of nurses include Mercy Health System of Oklahoma, Deaconess Hospital, and SSM Healthcare, which manages facilities such as the Bone and Joint Hospital and St. Anthony's Hospital.
Education
Students have plenty of options to consider when choosing nursing education in Oklahoma City. The University of Phoenix offers bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing programs, as well as an MBA in Health Care Administration. Oklahoma State University offers an associate of applied science in nursing degree, while Francis Tuttle Technology Center features a program in practical nursing. The University of Oklahoma has a variety of programs, including a standard RN program, bachelor of science in nursing degree, RN-BSN and LPN-BSN programs, a master of science in nursing degree, as well as an accelerated BSN program. Oklahoma City University offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree, bachelor degree to BSN program, RN to BSN program, and a master of science in nursing degree. Finally, another option is Oklahoma City Community College, which offers a program in nursing.
Financial Aid
Oklahoma offers a scholarship program for nursing students statewide. The Nursing Student Assistance Program provides students with funds to go to school in exchange for practicing nursing in the state for a certain time period, generally in a rural area. 250-300 students receive scholarships annually, with more than 4,100 nursing students receiving awards since the program began.
Similar to the Nursing Student Assistance Program, Mercy Health System offers a variety of scholarships for students who agree to fulfill a work commitment. Between $4,000 and $8,000 is available for BSN students who agree to work at least one or two years full-time in one of Mercy's hospitals, and $1,200 is available for LPN students who fulfill a one-year commitment.
St. John Health System also has a scholarship program that offers $7,000 for students pursuing a BSN, $5000 for those pursuing an associate's degree, and $2,500 for LPNs, all in exchange for a two-year work commitment.
Summary
Oklahoma City is committed to maintaining an outstanding quality of life for its residents. A low cost of living, pleasant climate, and numerous entertainment options are just a few of the highlights of what the city has to offer. Add to that great nursing education programs, lucrative financial assistance opportunities, and a healthy job market, and Oklahoma City is an ideal choice for any aspiring nurse.
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