University of Central Oklahoma Nursing School Review
The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is based in Edmond, Oklahoma and awards associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The university was founded in 1890 as Territorial Normal School. The campus is over 210 acres and includes routes for wellness including routes specifically designed for wheelchairs. Over 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students obtain education at the University of Central Oklahoma each year. The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredits the University of Central Oklahoma.
Nursing Programs
The BSN (Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing) program at the University of Central Oklahoma is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. The Department of Nursing at the University of Central Oklahoma offers a career ladder and traditional BSN option. The Nursing Department at the University of Central Oklahoma has been awarding nursing degrees since 1972.
University of Central Oklahoma Undergraduate Nursing Programs
Traditional BSN Program
Students who are not yet Registered Nurses (RNs), including those with no previous college education, some college education or a degree in a field other than nursing, should apply to the Traditional program to earn the BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree. Admission requirements to the BSN program include completion of all prerequisite courses with a minimum “C” grade, letters of recommendation, a satisfactory score on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students complete two years of general education coursework, and apply to the nursing program by the deadline to begin the nursing program in their junior year of study. Upon completion of the undergraduate nursing program, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, National Council for Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses, to become a Registered Nurse (RN) and earn a BSN degree. The BSN program requires four years total to complete.
Career Ladder BSN Program
Students who are Registered Nurses (RNs) may apply to the Career Ladder RN to BSN which builds upon the student’s previous healthcare education and allows them to complete the nursing program in less time than the traditional nursing program. Students at Rose State College are eligible to attend this program through an agreement and some classes are offered at Rose State College. Students in the program should receive academic credit for all of their previous work from the NLNAC accredited RN program. LPNs are also eligible to participate in the Career Ladder program and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN upon completion of the program. To earn the BSN degree students must earn a total of 124 credits, 30 of which must be earned at the University of Central Oklahoma. RNs can normally complete the BSN program in 3 semesters.
Organizations for Nursing Students at the University of Central Oklahoma
The University of Central Oklahoma offers several options for nursing students to obtain contacts in the nursing field and network with their peers prior to graduation. Sigma Theta Tau International is a nursing honor society open to nursing students who demonstrate high academic achievement. The University of Central Oklahoma Student Nurses Association (UCOSNA) and the Fellowship of Christian Nurses are two other organizations in which nursing students may participate.
Contact:
University of Central Oklahoma
100 N University Drive,
Edmond, OK 73034