How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Oklahoma
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Dec 12, 2025
Experienced health care professionals are highly sought-after nationwide. In states like Oklahoma, nurse practitioners are in demand and have the opportunity to take on a wide range of roles in both rural and urban areas. The state needs 38.3% more nurse practitioners each year between 2023 and 2033 to meet demand, according to The Journal Record.
Becoming a nurse practitioner requires extensive and advanced training. For students interested in learning how to become a nurse practitioner in Oklahoma, pursuing an advanced degree such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can offer the knowledge and skills to take control of their careers.
What Is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners are highly skilled advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Similar to registered nurses (RNs), many nurse practitioners provide clinical and bedside care but are also qualified to take on more complex procedures and senior roles. The basic duties of nurses include the following:
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Providing care and medication to patients
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Monitoring patients’ conditions
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Maintaining accurate records
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Providing education and support to patients and their loved ones, as well as the community
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Coordinating with other care professionals to determine and administer care plans
Students become interested in how to become a nurse practitioner in Oklahoma for various reasons. Their motivations can include career advancement, workplace autonomy, and the ability to provide more comprehensive care or specialize in an area of nursing.
Nurse practitioners’ duties and requirements can vary by role and specialty. In senior roles, they may include the following responsibilities:
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Coordinating with senior management or board members to guide a facility’s nursing program
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Hiring and training nurses
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Shaping organization protocols, goals, and budget
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Monitoring and allocating resources
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Diagnosing and providing comprehensive care to patients
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Prescribing and administering medication (in states with full practice authority)
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are qualified to perform advanced and complex procedures that require them to be held to a high standard and complete extensive training. Prior to becoming nurse practitioners, students must:
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Earn a foundational degree such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
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Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
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Earn an RN license and certification as required by their state
The next step in how to become a nurse practitioner in Oklahoma requires graduate-level training. This can be done through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
Typically, MSN programs require two years of full-time study, while DNP programs usually require four. The additional two years of study required for a DNP can allow graduates to develop advanced practical skills. DNP programs can also be a better choice for nurses looking to specialize as NPs and earn additional licenses or specialized certifications as APRNs. Furthermore, by completing an additional two years of practical training, DNP-prepared NPs can make themselves more desirable candidates, key to stepping into coveted leadership roles.
After completing a graduate degree, nurses must pass a nurse practitioner certification exam from an accredited certification board to begin practicing as nurse practitioners. Licensure is awarded depending on the specialty by different accreditation boards, including the following:
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American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
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American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
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American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Corporation
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Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
Nurse Licensure and Certification in Oklahoma
Nurses researching how to become a nurse practitioner in Oklahoma should note that Oklahoma is one of many states participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This means that nurses in good standing who’ve met nursing licensure renewal requirements and the NLC’s Uniform Licensure Requirements (ULRs) are also able to work in other participating states. These requirements include the following:
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Passing the NCLEX-RN exam
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Obtaining a degree from an accredited and board approved nursing program
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Maintaining an active, unencumbered nursing license without active discipline
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Passing an English proficiency exam if English isn’t their first language
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Undergoing a clean federal and criminal background check
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Obtaining a nurse practitioner certification in their specialty from an accredited certification board
Oklahoma is a restricted practice authority state, meaning that nurse practitioners require physician supervision to perform all the duties that are typically within their purview. However, with the passage of House Bill 2298, Oklahoma will become a full practice authority state in November 2025, allowing nurses with at least 6,240 hours (approximately three years) of supervised clinical practice with prescriptive authority to apply for independent prescriptive authority licensure.
Nurse Practitioner Salary and Career Outlook in Oklahoma
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for nurse practitioners in Oklahoma was $126,670 in May 2024. For nurses who transition into senior management roles such as director of nursing, nursing manager, or chief nursing officer (CNO) — positions that DNP-prepared nurse practitioners often fill — the BLS reports that as of May 2024, the median annual salary was $117,960 for medical and health services managers and $206,420 for chief executives.
Nurse practitioners have ample opportunities both nationwide and across Oklahoma. The BLS projects a 46% overall increase in employment for nurse practitioners between 2023 and 2033 — an increase of over 135,500 jobs over the decade. In Oklahoma, Projections Central expects long-term occupational growth for nurse practitioners to increase by 38.6% between 2022 and 2032.
Become a Leader in Nursing in Oklahoma With a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree
Skilled nurse practitioners can have a meaningful impact on patients and the facilities where they provide care. With their advanced training and specialized skills, many nurse practitioners bridge the gap between doctors and nurses, providing much needed care.
For students interested in learning how to become a nurse practitioner in Oklahoma, an advanced degree such as the online Family Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice (FNP, DNP) from The University of Tulsa can be instrumental in helping them reach their goals. This online program features both practicum hours and an interdisciplinary approach to nursing and is designed to train capable nursing leaders.
Find out how TU can help you achieve your career dreams as a nurse practitioner in Oklahoma.
Recommended Readings
Chief Nursing Officer vs. Director of Nursing
A Nurse’s Role in Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Care
Types of Nurses and Their Salaries
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet
American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification
American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Oklahoma
American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Standards of Practice for Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Nurse Practitioners, State Practice Environment
American Nurses Association, How to Go from Registered Nurse (RN) to Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Indeed, “How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in 7 Steps (Plus FAQs)”
Oklahoma State Legislature, Bill Information for HB 2298
Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections (2022-2032)
The Journal Record, “Critical Care: Retiring Nurses Join Patient Rosters, Leaving Staff Shortages”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Practitioners
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Maps
