Academic Programs -
Undergraduate
Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if nursing is for me?
Often, students will indicate that they have a "calling" to nursing. This "calling" is usually based on a desire to be involved in healthcare while maintaining a focus on direct patient care. We want you to be sure that this "gut" feeling you may have is well placed. Have you spoken with a nurse about their job? Have you shadowed a nurse on the job? Are you currently working in a healthcare facility where you experience the working conditions of nurses? Or have you taken an Introductory to Health Careers course at your college? If you did not answer yes to one of these questions you may want to consider exploring the nursing profession a bit further to ensure that you know what you understand both the opportunities and restrictions that a job in nursing will provide.
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Why should I get a BSN degree rather than an Associates Degree in Nursing?
Though an associates degree program ("ADN") will provide the same core nursing education as required by the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing, you will want to consider both your immediate and long-term career goals in the nursing profession. Do you want to pursue research, management, administration, or other leadership roles in the future? Do you think you might want to continue your nursing education toward advanced practice licensure as a Nurse Practitioner or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)? If so, you will want to consider the level of education needed to ensure that you are taking the proper initial steps now to lay a strong foundation for your future!
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The program is 2 years long and only offers full-time study. Is this going to be like a job?
Yes. Nursing education varies significantly from traditional undergraduate study. Coursework is scheduled as a combination of classroom lecture, practice lab and health assessment, clinical rotations, community involvement and internet activities. Nursing students should expect to be involved in some aspect of their coursework Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and should approach their new pathway as a full-time job.
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Can I work while I go to school?
We do not recommend it. Nursing school will be dramatically different than your experience with your prerequisite courses. Though you may not be in class during the evenings or weekends you will have such a heavy workload that your free time will be significantly restricted. To achieve the best possible academic success we recommend that students focus on their studies rather than the outside demands of a side-job. We encourage students with financial concerns to contact the OUHSC Office of Financial Aid [link: http://w3.ouhsc.edu/sfs/] to discuss opportunities for assistance.
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How many students are selected each year?
Admission seats are limited by many factors. The below numbers are listed as an approximate number of seats available. The exact numbers may vary each year or by campus due to available resources.
Oklahoma City campus: 112
OCCC Collaborative campus: 24
Tulsa/Schusterman campus: 56
TCC Collaborative campus: 24
Lawton/Cameron campus: 48
Lawton/Duncan campus: 24
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What can I do to make my application more competitive?
Get advised. Make sure you will have your prerequisites complete by the spring semester prior to starting the nursing program and make sure your courses will transfer. You can speak with an advisor at your home college/university or with an advisor at the College of Nursing.
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Also, when you apply, make sure we have your records on file by checking your Application Status View [link http://ouhsc.edu/students/student_info/ApplicationSTatus/logon.cfm]. A routine reason for qualified students not placing well in the admission selection procedure is simply that we did not receive their academic records. We can only base your admission on the information you submit!
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When are admission decisions made?
The College will process each application individually after the application deadline, which is January 15th. We do not offer early admission. We will then select admitted students based on the entire applicant pool. Admission decisions are expected by April 15th but may vary depending on the volume of applications received.
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Do I need a Plan B?
Yes! Everyone needs a Plan B regardless of their academic background. Admissions to any nursing program at any school is very competitive due to the high demand by students for nursing education. Most every nursing program in Oklahoma receives more applications than they have seats available to offer. This means that you will want to make sure that you have a back-up plan should your first choice not be available to you. Your college/university counselor or an advisor at the OU College of Nursing can help you identify viable contingency plans.
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Do I need to get my CNA license or submit a resume?
No. Admission decisions are based solely on academic indicators including your prerequisite courses and GPAs. Previous licensure, community involvement or work experience are not currently reviewed in the admission procedure.
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Do I need to send in my SAT/ACT scores?
No. The College of Nursing does not currently require that you submit these test scores for admission to the program.
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What about recommendation letters?
The College of Nursing does not review recommendation letters in the admission selection process. We will only review your transcripts and class schedule.
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