STILLWATER, Okla. (OBV) – Oklahoma CareerTech and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are working together to expand nursing education credits in two-year colleges and ultimately get more nurses in the state’s workforce.
CareerTech and the State Regents signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish guidelines for two-year colleges to award students credit for prior learning in practical nursing programs at technology centers throughout Oklahoma.
“When we come together for the benefit of Oklahoma students, the sky is the limit,” said Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders. “I applaud the State Regents and Oklahoma CareerTech for working to remove barriers and uplifting the next generation of nursing students. Through this partnership, we’re investing in the future of healthcare in Oklahoma by expanding opportunities for students now.”
CareerTech working with higher education will substantially help nursing students and expand the pipeline for finding jobs in the healthcare industry, according to House Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow.
“The transferability of credits is both time- and cost-effective for our nursing students. This partnership is a fantastic avenue to get more nurses into the field at an accelerated pace to help meet a vital need in our state,” Hilbert said.
CareerTech officials and state higher education representatives formed the Oklahoma Statewide Nursing Pathways Advisory Group and met over the past year to develop strategies for increasing the number of nurses in Oklahoma.
They agreed to a solution which allows licensed practical nurses to earn college credit by completing the practical nursing program at a participating Oklahoma technology center, according to CareerTech officials.
“As a state, our health outcomes are impacted by an ongoing shortage of medical professionals,” said Jack Sherry, chairman of the State Regents. “This initiative to expand course articulation between technical and collegiate nursing programs will provide additional educational opportunities for nursing students and improve workforce development in this critical sector.”
The following colleges will now award up to 18 college credit hours to CareerTech students who pass the LPN NCLEX exam:
- Carl Albert State College
- Connors State College
- Eastern Oklahoma State College
- Murray State College
- Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
- Northern Oklahoma College
- Oklahoma City Community College
- Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
- Redlands Community College
- Rose State College
- Seminole State College
- Tulsa Community College
- Western Oklahoma State College
Applicants to those above colleges who are seeking to obtain the 18 credit hours must have a valid, unencumbered practical nursing license to practice in Oklahoma and meet all college or program admission requirements.
“Our public colleges and universities are focused on supporting student success and increasing degree completion in high-demand fields,” said Chancellor Allison D. Garrett. “The new nursing articulation agreement reflects the shared commitment of our state higher education and CareerTech systems to create streamlined pathways between practical nursing and associate degree nursing programs, which benefits both individual Oklahomans and the state labor force.”
The new memorandum supersedes previous MOUs between colleges and technology center partners, according to CareerTech officials.
The following 28 technology centers offer practical nursing programs and are participating in the new articulation agreement:
- Autry Technology Center
- Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center
- Canadian Valley Technology Center
- Central Technology Center
- Chisholm Trail Technology Center
- Francis Tuttle Technology Center
- Gordon Cooper Technology Center
- Great Plains Technology Center
- Green Country Technology Center
- High Plains Technology Center
- Indian Capital Technology Center
- Kiamichi Technology Centers
- Meridian Technology Center
- Metro Technology Centers
- Mid-America Technology Center
- Mid-Del Lewis Eubanks Technology Center
- Moore Norman Technology Center
- Northeast Technology Center
- Northwest Technology Center
- Pioneer Technology Center
- Pontotoc Technology Center
- Red River Technology Center
- Southern Oklahoma Technology Center
- Southwest Technology Center
- Tri County Technology Center
- Tulsa Technology Center
- Western Technology Center
- Wes Watkins Technology Center
“This new agreement does a better job of coordinating strategies to alleviate the pressures on Oklahoma’s nursing workforce and making the state’s health care system more equitable and stable,” said Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken. “Applying credit from CareerTech’s LPN programs to degree programs will lead to an elevated workforce and a more stable and reliable health care system in Oklahoma.”
The State Regents’ Undergraduate Transfer and Articulation of Courses policy enables students to transfer between higher education institutions and career tech centers. The Credit for Prior Learning policy allows institutions to award credit for demonstration of knowledge upon professional licensure, CareerTech officials said.
The new articulation agreement goes into effect July 1.
“The specific number of college credit hours awarded for prior learning to LPNs who complete a practical nursing program at a participating technology center will vary depending on the course structure at the awarding institution, up to a total of 18 credit hours,” CareerTech officials said.
Visit the State Regents’ Show What You Know website for more information on how adults who have attended a career technology center, hold industry-recognized credentials, have completed military study and training or hold advanced standing scores can earn college credit and complete a degree program.
