Southwestern Oklahoma State University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025
Requirements for Graduation Each student must meet University requirements for a bachelor's degree. The minimum number of credit hours required for graduation is 124 semester hours, the last 30 hours of which must have been completed at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Each M.S.N. student must meet University requirements for a master’s degree. The number of credit hours required for an M.S.N. in any of the three tracks is 33 hours. All hours must have been completed at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Requirements for Licensure to Practice Profession The Southwestern Oklahoma State University Department of Nursing is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Graduates of this state-approved program are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for (registered or practical) nurses. Applicants for Oklahoma licensure must meet all state and federal requirements to hold an Oklahoma license to practice nursing. In addition to completing a state- approved nursing education program that meets educational requirements and successfully passing the licensure examination, requirements include submission of an application for licensure, a criminal history records search, and evidence of citizenship or qualified alien status. Applicants for practical nurse licensure must also hold a high school diploma or a graduate equivalency degree (G.E.D.) [59 O.S. §567.5 & 567.6]. To be granted a license, an applicant must have the legal right to be in the United States (United States Code Chapter 8, Section 1621). In addition, Oklahoma law only allows a license to be issued to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent resident aliens. Other qualified aliens may be issued a temporary license that is valid until the expiration of their visa status, or if there is no expiration date, for one year. Applicants who are qualified aliens must present to the Board office, in person, valid documentary evidence of: 1. A valid, unexpired immigrant or nonimmigrant visa status for admission into the United States; 2. A pending or approved application for asylum in the United States; 3. Admission into the United States in refugee status; 4. A pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States; 5. Approved deferred action status; or 6. A pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident status or conditional resident status. The Board of Nursing has the right to deny a license to an individual with a history of criminal background, disciplinary action on any professional or occupational license or certification, or judicial declaration of mental incompetence [59 O.S. §567.8]. These cases are considered on an individual basis at the time application for licensure is made. An individual with a felony conviction needs to review rule 485:10-11-4: Licensure or Certification of Individuals with Criminal History section establishes the criteria utilized by the Board in determining the effect of criminal history on eligibility for nursing licensure or Advanced Unlicensed Assistant (AUA) certification and implements the requirements of Oklahoma Statutes Title 59 Sections 567.1. et seq. and 4000.1 (2019). This section applies to: (1) all currently licensed nurses and holders of an AUA certificate; (2) all individuals seeking to obtain a nursing license or AUA certificate; and (3) all individuals seeking an initial determination of their eligibility for nursing licensure or AUA certification. The rule is located at: https://nursing.ok.gov/rules19.pdf
Careers in Nursing Since health care delivery is constantly changing, the role of the nurse in the delivery of health care continues to change. Emphasis in nursing is placed on the changing role of the professional nurse. Men and women who enter the nursing profession have numerous opportunities as generalists in a variety of settings, as well as have a foundation to continue in graduate education for specialized areas of nursing. Careers in nursing cover many diversified areas. Nurses today work with many different individuals and groups, such as, infants, children, adults, and the elderly in a variety of settings including hospitals, communities, schools, homes, clinics, industry, prisons and military installations, both home and abroad .
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