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91Ӱ��’s Nursing program has reached a record enrollment of more than 500 students this fall, the highest in its history. With demand for nurses on the rise, 91Ӱ��’s program continues to play a vital role in preparing Oklahoma’s future healthcare professionals.

91Ӱ��’s Nursing program has reached a historic milestone with more than 500 students enrolled this semester, marking the highest number in the program’s history. Enrollment for the Nursing program this Fall stands at 518 students.

91Ӱ�� Dean of Health Sciences Jenny Fields, DNP, said the growth reflects the strength of 91Ӱ��’s program and intentional steps taken to elevate it.

“I am so proud of our Nursing faculty and staff as they continue to support students through a time of record enrollment,” said Fields. “By expanding and modernizing our facilities and equipment, we have positioned 91Ӱ�� to grow in ways that directly impact our community’s access to healthcare.”

Last Spring, 91Ӱ�� unveiled major renovations to its Nursing and Allied Health facilities to support program capacity. At the Metro Campus, new Nursing labs, an expanded Nursing Medical Surgical Simulation Lab, and new faculty offices were designed to equip students with state-of-the-art training and expand the College’s ability to prepare more graduates for the healthcare workforce.

91Ӱ��'s Nursing (RN) program offers Traditional and Career Mobility tracks. The Career Mobility Track allows LPNs and paramedics to become RNs, while the Traditional RN Track is for those new to nursing. Depending on the track, the program takes three to four semesters to complete, and coursework prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, the final step to becoming a registered nurse.

Stafenie Williams is in her final semester in 91Ӱ��’s Nursing program. She has worked in healthcare for seven years, including roles as a technologist in medical-surgical care, inpatient rehab, and the ICU.

Williams first earned an associate degree in Pre-med from 91Ӱ�� in 2014 and later a bachelor’s in Biology from OSU before deciding on Nursing. She returned to 91Ӱ�� to pursue Nursing because of the program’s affordability, flexibility, and strong reputation.

“I looked up different programs, and I came back to 91Ӱ�� because they were the most affordable and feasible for my schedule and everything I needed,” Williams says. “I applied and I got in, and I was super happy.”

She was drawn to the hands-on care and the impact Nursing provides for patients.

“Being able to see the care nurses give and then the actual changes, it’s very therapeutic. Being a nurse is therapeutic for not only the nurse but the patient as well,” says Williams.

At the helm of the Nursing program is Lauri Jones, Ph.D., Associate Professor and first-year Program Director. Jones is a graduate of the University of Tulsa and spent much of her clinical career in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit before joining 91Ӱ��’s Nursing faculty full-time in 2014.

She said her goal is to welcome more students into the program while ensuring they receive the support needed to complete their education and succeed in the workforce.

“I hope to support faculty and students to be successful, and work to assess and evaluate our program outcomes, such as NCLEX pass rates and what we can do to keep those close or above the national average. At the same time, I will always be looking for opportunities to grow our program,”

“I am thrilled to have Dr. Jones step into the role of Program Director for Nursing. She’s been a dedicated faculty member of the College and has consistently demonstrated strong leadership. I’m excited to see the great things our nursing program will accomplish under her guidance,” said Fields.

The need for nurses continues to grow, with national job growth projected at 5% from 2024–34, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also reports the annual yearly salary for registered nurses in Oklahoma is $85,800.