Nurses with MSNs in Oklahoma are gaining recognition. For instance, an Advanced Practice Advisory Committee has been put in place to provide a range of support for advanced practice nurses. Although Oklahoma has fewer NPs and CRNAs than the national average, the number of all advanced practice nurses is growing steadily, according to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
With fewer physicians per capita than the national average, the need for NPs (particularly in primary care shortage areas) will likely increase significantly, as will salaries for these professionals. A survey published in Advance for Nurse Practitioners showed that Oklahoma NPs earn a mean salary of about $84,000 and earnings are trending upward.
Oklahoma is working to support the overall advancement of nurses with MSN-related initiatives such as scholarships for nurse educators. For more information, check out the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, the Oklahoma Nurses Association, and Oklahoma Nurse Practitioners.
Programs to consider:
Northeastern State University (Muskogee, OK / Tahlequah, OK). NSU was founded in 1846 as the Cherokee National Female Seminary. To meet the acute need for nurse educators, NSU offers a 32-semester hour online nurse educator MSN.
University of Oklahoma Health Science Center (Oklahoma City, OK). OU offers a variety of MSN tracks including advanced practice, management, and education. The College of Nursing also has a Geriatric Nursing Center to enhance learning for nurses who choose this specialty.
