Individuals without a formal nursing background interested in working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Oklahoma must complete a state-accredited LPN Oklahoma program and pass the national NCLEX-PN examination.
Federal law dictates that every U.S. state must approve and regulate its own licensed practical nurse (LPN) training programs. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing is the body responsible for approving the numerous LPN OK schools located throughout the state.
This article shows students exactly which schools offer state-approved Oklahoma LPN training, and explains the state's licensing requirements.
LPN Oklahoma Licensing Requirements
Those who have never been licensed to work as a nurse nor earned an accredited nursing degree must fulfill the following requirements before being allowed to work as an LPN in Oklahoma:
- Graduate from a state-approved LPN OK school
- Pass the NCLEX-PN licensure examination
- Pass a criminal history background check
Oklahoma does not participate in the Nursing Licensure Compact, a group of states that recognize LPN licenses from other member compact states. However, Oklahoma does accept applications for endorsement from individuals who either have an active LPN license from another state or graduated from an accredited nursing school.
For more information, including information on how to receive an application for endorsement, contact the Oklahoma Board of Nursing at 405-962-1800.
LPN OK Program Characteristics
While each state-approved Oklahoma LPN program differs slightly depending upon the educational provider, all programs must contain the following minimum elements:
- Be a full academic year in length
- Provide theoretical learning opportunities
- Provide clinical learning opportunities
In the theoretical component of LPN Oklahoma programs, students learn a number of important skill areas in the classroom, including:
- Mental health nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Maternity nursing
- General adult and elderly nursing
- Psychology
- Physical sciences
In the clinical practice component, students work with real patients in local hospitals and medical facilities under the supervision of a medical supervisor. This clinical work both trains students for their future LPN careers and prepares them for the NCLEX-PN examination.
Finding Oklahoma LPN Programs
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing approves dozens of LPN OK programs throughout the state, most of which are located in technical centers and vocational colleges.
For a full listing of currently-approved practical nursing programs, reference the state's approved LPN school list.
Benefits of LPN Oklahoma Training
Students who complete a state-accredited Oklahoma LPN program and pass the national licensure examination are eligible to work as an LPN in Oklahoma.
With the state's aging population, LPN positions are expected to be in high demand for many years to come, making an investment in LPN training a wise professional move.
For information on more educational opportunities in Oklahoma and elsewhere, see also:
The Best Nursing Programs Online
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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