How to Become an RN in Oklahoma With an ABSN

Nursing

How to Become an RN in Oklahoma With an ABSN

Written by: University of Tulsa • Nov 19, 2025

There is no shortage of people who are drawn to a career in nursing, even though they have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field. Fortunately, with the demand for registered nurses (RNs) on the rise, new educational pathways can help aspiring health care professionals reach their goals.

Anyone who is curious about how to become an RN in Oklahoma without pursuing a second four-year bachelor’s degree should consider an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, designed to help them enter the workforce quickly and affordably.

What Does an RN Do?

There were 53,668 active RN licenses across the state of Oklahoma as of June 2024, according to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Though that number may sound high, the demand for RNs continues to rise. RNs are the backbone of the American health care system, working in hospitals, doctors’ offices, schools, prisons, and nursing homes. Their duties and responsibilities include the following:

Examining patients to assess their complaints or concerns
Caring for patients with illnesses, disabilities, or injuries
Counseling and assisting patients and their caregivers
Supervising nursing aides and nursing assistants
Explaining medical issues and treatment options to patients and their caregivers
Helping doctors and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with procedures as needed
Communicating with other members of their patients’ health care teams to create holistic treatment plans

Steps to Become an RN in Oklahoma

Those who have already earned bachelor’s degrees in another area are often still interested in how to become an RN in Oklahoma. This rewarding, high-paying, and in-demand career can be particularly appealing to those with helpful, empathetic natures. Gaining a foundation in nursing, honing the necessary skills, and earning a nursing license in Oklahoma puts would-be nurses directly on the path to success.

Gain Education

Prospective RNs should consider the type of education they want to pursue before they obtain their license. While students can earn an associate’s degree to become an RN, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers a more comprehensive nursing education and usually yields more advancement opportunities. In fact, a 2023 report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that nearly 70% of employers strongly preferred to hire RNs with a BSN degree.

For students with a bachelor’s in non-nursing fields, an ABSN program gives credit for courses they have already taken, often allowing them to earn a BSN in around two years. This saves time and money, allowing graduates to enter the workforce more quickly.

The following core nursing courses are a critical part of ABSN programs:

Fundamentals of Nursing
Health Assessment
Theoretical Frameworks of Nursing
Population Health
Nursing Science
Nursing Care of Specialized Populations
Nursing Care of the Family
Acute and Chronic Care
Healthcare Informatics
Quality Across Health Care Systems

Develop Skills

Aspiring RNs should also hone important skills that allow them to provide the best possible care, including the following:

Communication: RNs spend much of their day speaking with patients, families, doctors, and nurses’ aides, among others. The ability to communicate clearly is crucial for giving instructions and educating others about an illness, injury, or disability.
Critical Thinking: Because they often need to make quick assessments, RNs should work to develop their critical thinking skills. Emergency triage, for example, puts these crucial skills to the test.
Organization: During a shift, nurses may see dozens of patients, each with unique medical histories. The ability to stay organized is important for privacy and delivering appropriate care.
Patience: Patients, their caregivers, and their families can feel concerned or pressured about their health, which can drive them to feel annoyed or agitated. RNs should always be patient, work to understand these concerns, and provide care that will lead to the best possible outcomes.
Physical Stamina: Many nurses spend much of their long shifts on their feet, and they may also be charged with tasks such as lifting patients or pushing heavy medication carts down hallways. Physical stamina is essential for the role.

Pass the NCLEX-RN and Earn Licensure

Finally, after completing an ABSN program and developing core skills, aspiring RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

When learning how to become an RN in Oklahoma, students should familiarize themselves with the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, the department that issues nursing licenses in the state. It is worth noting that Oklahoma is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement that means licensure in one state is valid in the other member jurisdictions.

RN Salary and Job Outlook in Oklahoma

The mean annual salary for RNs in Oklahoma was $85,800 as of May 2024, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Projections Central reports that positions for RNs in the state are predicted to increase by about 4.8% by 2032 as technology and research improve treatment options and health care access continues to expand.

Learn How to Become an RN in Oklahoma by Earning Your ABSN Degree

Oklahoma is home to tens of thousands of RNs, many of whom have completed a four-year BSN degree. If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field, you may be able to complete your nursing degree on an accelerated timeline. The University of Tulsa’s online ABSN program was specifically designed for individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees, adult learners, and working professionals.

Learn how to become an RN in Oklahoma efficiently and affordably with The University of Tulsa’s ABSN program.

Recommended Readings

The Differences Between an LPN and an RN Explained

Tips for Completing a Capstone in Nursing

Types of Nurses and Their Salaries

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, New Graduate Employment Data

Indeed, Learn About Being a Registered Nurse

Indeed, What Does a Registered Nurse Do?

Oklahoma Board of Nursing, Applications

Oklahoma.gov, Oklahoma Board of Nursing FY 2024 Annual Report on Nurse Population Data

Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections (2022-2032)