Nursing Program Accreditation and Approval

The Bachelors of Science (BSN) Degree in Nursing program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University located in Alva OK, Enid OK, Woodward OK, and University Center in Ponca City OK is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for the Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The Northwestern Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. The BSN-to-DNP Nursing Program for the preparation of Family Nurse Practitioners has received full approval of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.

Oklahoma Board of Nursing
2915 N. Classen Blvd, Suite 524
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 962-1800

For questions regarding the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program accreditation, write to:

Northwestern Oklahoma State University's Nursing program participates in articulation agreements with selected career technology centers within its region, as listed below.

These agreements apply only to students who have earned a nationally recognized certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). A total of 25 credit hours toward the BSN degree and a student may test out of an additional three (3) credit hours. 

• Northwest Technology Center
• Autry Technology center
• High Plains Technology Center
• Pioneer Technology Center

Northwestern Oklahoma State University's Nursing program has established RN-to-BSN Pathways for students who wish to obtain their BSN after completing their Associates degree nursing programs and obtaining their Registered Nurse License with the Community Colleges listed below.

These RN-to-BSN pathways decrease barriers for degree completion and allows students access to interim courses to help with enrollment and plan of study progression.

• Northern Oklahoma College
• Redlands Community College

Course Rotations

• BSN Program
• Online RN-to-BSN Program
• BSN-to-DNP Program

Plans of Study

• Traditional BSN - Freshman Student
• Traditional Nursing - BSN with existing AA or Bachelors
• LPN-to-BSN - LPN Grads with Articulation Agreement
• LPN-to-BSN - LPN Grads without Articulation Agreement
• Online RN-to-BSN Program
• BSN-to-DNP - 3 Year Program - Full Time
• BSN-to-DNP - 4 Year Program - Part Time

• Traditional BSN and online RN-to-BSN programs
• 100% job placement for BSN students
• 95% NCLEX pass rate (2024)
• Dedicated faculty who have an open-door policy and are always willing to go above and beyond for their students
• Employers seek out NWOSU nursing students during school and after graduation with job opportunities
• A caring nursing division that ensures graduates are holistically prepared
• Oklahoma LPN students may receive advanced standing for multiple courses, extended credit options for area tech-center graduates
• Student representation on faculty committees
• To stay current with their areas of expertise, faculty complete continuing education hours in addition to professional development hours each year

Northwestern Nursing Simulation and Skill Laboratories

Each Division of Nursing location includes a Simulation and Skills laboratory. The Wymer Lab, located on the second floor of Carter Hall on the Alva Campus provides support to Northwestern Oklahoma State University nursing students with high fidelity simulators across the lifespan and other equipment and supplemental items used for skills and assessment training for the BSN and DNP programs. The Wymer Lab is used for CPR training, tours for visitors of all ages, and is home to the DNP Residency sessions.

The Ketteman Lab, located on the Enid Campus, provides support to the clinical education of nursing students and healthcare staff in northwest Oklahoma. Students of all ages, allied health and medical personnel tour the lab or attend an American Heart Association Basic Life Support class, or a specific simulation designed to meet the students' learning outcomes. The Ketterman Lab is also equipped with high fidelity simulators across the life span and other equipment and supplemental items used for skills and assessment training for the BSN and DNP programs.

The Simulation and Skills Laboratory at the University Center in Ponca City is equipped with an adult and pediatric simulator, as well as many equipment and supplemental items used for skill and assessment training.

The Alexander Lab at the NWOSU Woodward campus includes high fidelity simulators across the lifespan and many equipment and supplemental items used for skills and assessment training. The Alexander Lab is used for tours of visitors of all ages and a career exploration location for students that visit the Woodward Campus.

Each lab can be configured as a hospital ward or private room settings depending upon the simulation scenario. Each lab has SimMed cabinets for medication dispensing to allow students to practice and gain experience safely preparing patient medications. The labs also include seating at tables for students, a SMARTBoard^® and Zoom board in each lab as well as a computer. Each lab contains space for the simulation experience as well as prebriefing, debriefing, skills practice, and class sessions. 

The high-fidelity adult, child, maternity, and infant simulators along with additional training equipment and supplies allow practice of nursing skills and communication in a safe learning environment.Simulation practice prepares nursing students for the clinical setting by increasing confidence. Students experience a variety of simulation situations which may or may not be commonly present in the clinical setting. Simulation by health care professionals improves patient outcomes in the health care setting.

To arrange or schedule a tour or class in any of the Nursing Simulation and Skills Lab settings, contact the Skills Lab Coordinator.

Contact Information:

Dr. KeEra Byrd CHSE^®-Alva and Woodward Locations
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing
Northwestern - Alva
(580) 327-8498
kmbyrd@nwosu.edu

Mrs. Crystal Gillett CHSE^®-Enid and Ponca City Locations
Instructor
Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing
Northwestern-Enid
(580) 213-3156
csgillett@nwosu.edu

The Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing at Northwestern Oklahoma State University values its role and recognizes its responsibility in preparing baccalaureate-prepared nurses for northwestern Oklahoma and the surrounding areas. The Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing is proud to share its program outcomes with our stakeholders:  

• 2023-2024 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2022-2023 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2021-2022 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2020-2021 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2019-2020 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2018-2019 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2017-2018 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2016-2017 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2015-2016 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2014-2015 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes
• 2013-2014 NWOSU Nursing Program Outcomes

Scholarship opportunities are available for students in this department.

Current students have until March 15 for academic scholarships using the Continuing Student Scholarship Application.

For departmental scholarships you will need to fill out a form provided by the department chair by February 15.

Departmental scholarships available in this area and more can be found at at https://ournorthwestern.org/make-an-investment/scholarships, including numerous miscellaneous unspecified scholarships.

All incoming freshmen or transfers are encouraged to fill out their respective scholarship forms: Freshman Scholarship or Transfer Scholarship along with the Application for Admission to the University. The incoming freshman deadline is May 15, while the transfer student deadline is July 15.

For additional information, please visit Scholarships, as well as contacting Dr. Jennifer Mahieu at jlmahieu@nwosu.edu.

NWOHEC Scholarship
NW Oklahoma Healthcare Coalition
2929 E. Randolph, Rm 130
Enid, OK  73701
Carol Williams, 580-747-197

State Board Statutes - July 1, 2024