Oklahoma is in the midst of a primary healthcare crisis. The state currently has just 75.6 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents; the national average is 91.0 docs per 100,000 residents. Primary healthcare physicians are especially scarce in the rural parts of Oklahoma - which is a big problem, because 47 percent of that state's residents live in rural areas.
Lack of access to healthcare appears to be negatively affecting the health of those living in the state. Heart disease rates in Oklahoma are higher than the national average; residents of Oklahoma also die at higher rates and younger ages than their peers living in other states. The specific problems seem to vary by geography. Rural residents are more likely to die of cancer, but urban residents experience a higher incidence of both stroke and diabetes.
Oklahoma's nurse practitioners deal with these problems every day. They provide care in both rural and urban communities. Often, they are a patient's connection to the larger healthcare community. Nurse practitioners provide basic primary and preventative care; they also work with patients and other healthcare providers to improve health outcomes.
Nurse practitioners in Oklahoma can practice autonomously, though a collaborative agreement with a state physician is required before the NP can prescribe medication. Oklahoma's almost 1000 nurse practitioners typically earn between $74,000 and $82,000 per year according to Salary.com.
NP programs for Oklahoma nurses include:
- University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. This Oklahoma City school offers master's-level nurse practitioner programs aimed at RNs who have either a BSN or non-nursing Bachelor's degree. Students can select the family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner or adult nurse practitioner track.
- Oklahoma City University. Oklahoma City recently began offering a BSN-to-DNP family nurse practitioner program. By 2015, all new NPs will have to have a doctoral-level degree for entry into practice. Full-time students can expect to complete the program in two to three years; part-time student typically finish in four years.
- Georgetown University. Georgetown offers online NP programs that are accessible to nurses in Oklahoma. Students can select either a Family Nurse Practitioner program or the Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program. Classes are web-based; Georgetown faculty help students to arrange clinical experiences close to home.
Accredited schools with NP programs in Oklahoma:
