Advancement Opportunities for Registered Nurses in Oklahoma

Nursing

Advancement Opportunities for Registered Nurses in Oklahoma

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jul 23, 2024

A nurse manager shares information on a tablet with a nurse.

Nursing is a field full of possibilities. This can be seen in Oklahoma, where data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Projections Central shows the demand for nurses outpacing the national average. This growth translates into career advancement opportunities for registered nurses in Oklahoma. With the right degree, those passionate about health care can explore a range of nursing roles. Eager to expand your skills and take on new challenges? Consider which educational path and career suits you best.

State of Nursing in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is facing significant challenges in meeting the demand for nursing professionals. BLS and census data show that Oklahoma has about 8 registered nurses per 1,000 people compared with the national average of 9.43. This shortfall highlights potential opportunities for those looking to build a nursing career in Oklahoma.

Also noteworthy, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) forecasts that the number of nursing roles will grow significantly in the coming years. Between 2020 and 2030, the commission predicts the following increases in available nursing positions:

Registered nurses: 11.9%
Nurse anesthetists: 23.7%
Nurse practitioners: 47.6%

With this projected growth, nurses can expect greater opportunities to advance and specialize in their fields.

Educational Paths to Advance a Nursing Career

The right degree can open doors to advanced practice roles, leadership positions, and specialized nursing fields. Thoughtfully planning out an educational path can help nurses choose degree programs that align with their interests and passions. Doing so can also ensure that nurses get the specialized training they need to secure more complex and higher-paying roles in their fields.

Oklahoma offers several degree programs tailored to help nurses achieve their goals and meet the state’s growing health care needs. Many of these programs offer flexible learning options, such as online courses and accelerated tracks, making it easier for working nurses to continue their education.

Whether looking to enhance their clinical skills, move into management positions, or specialize in a particular area , registered nurses in Oklahoma and elsewhere can find a program that helps them get there. Below are some options to consider.

RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) programs are intended for registered nurses who already have an associate degree or a diploma in nursing. A BSN degree can expand career opportunities for nurses and give them the ability to specialize in various areas. Typically, prerequisites for an RN to BSN program include a current registered nurse license and a minimum GPA from previous coursework.

Often, RN to BSN programs will honor credit received for prior learning, allowing students to complete their BSN in a shorter time frame compared with traditional BSN programs.

Additionally, RN to BSN programs are often designed with working nurses in mind. This means students can expect flexible scheduling options, such as online classes, part-time study, and accelerated tracks. RN to BSN coursework typically builds on the foundational nursing knowledge and skills that RNs already possess and focuses more on advanced topics, such as leadership, management, and evidence-based practice.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs are for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field who want to transition into nursing. This intensive program allows students to earn their BSN in a shorter time frame than traditional programs, usually within 12 to 18 months. Prerequisites typically include a bachelor’s degree and completion of certain science and health-related courses.

RN to Master of Science in Nursing

The RN to Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) pathway allows registered nurses to earn both their BSN and MSN degrees in as little as 24 months. This program is ideal for nurses aiming for advanced practice roles or leadership positions. Prerequisites typically include an active registered nurse license, a bachelor’s degree (in any field), and certain foundational courses.

These programs often acknowledge prior education and experience, allowing students to complete their degrees more quickly. Similar to other nursing programs, RN to MSN degrees frequently offer flexible scheduling options, including online classes and part-time study, to accommodate working nurses.

Master of Science in Nursing

For registered nurses who hold a BSN, an MSN program offers advanced training for specialized roles, such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nurse administrator. These programs generally require a BSN, an active registered nurse license, and a minimum GPA in undergraduate coursework.

MSN degree programs build on the education and experience of BSN-prepared nurses. They frequently offer specialty tracks, such as leadership, public health, or informatics and analytics, giving students the opportunity to focus on an area of interest.

Certificate Programs

Nurses with an MSN or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree can further enhance their expertise through specialized certificate programs. These programs provide advanced training in specialties such as adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner or mental health nurse practitioner.

Typically, certificate programs build on the advanced education and experience of MSN- or DNP-prepared nurses and offer flexible learning options to accommodate working professionals. The programs usually range from 12 to 18 months, allowing nurses to gain specialized skills without committing to another full degree program.

Advanced Career Opportunities for Nurses

There are opportunities for advancement for registered nurses at every stage of their careers, whether they’re just beginning or holding an advanced degree. As nurses gain more experience and education, they also gain access to roles that offer increased responsibility, higher salaries, and greater job satisfaction.

The nursing careers below include both midlevel advancements for RNs and BSN holders as well as high-level opportunities for those with an MSN or a specialized certificate.

Nursing Manager

Nurse managers supervise nursing teams to ensure that they deliver high standards of patient care. They oversee daily operations, manage resources effectively, and ensure safe environments for both patients and staff.

Nursing Manager Median Annual Salary: Approximately $95,730, according to June 2024 Payscale data

The primary duties of nursing managers include the following:

Supervising Staff and Managing Teams: Nurse managers oversee and coordinate nursing staff, ensuring that they’re well trained, motivated, and adhering to patient care standards. This may involve conducting regular team meetings to discuss patient care protocols and other relevant issues.
Administrative Oversight: Nurse managers manage the day-to-day operations of nursing units, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation to maintain efficient workflow.
Quality Assurance and Compliance: Nurse managers ensure that nursing practices meet regulatory standards and organizational policies to uphold patient safety and quality care. For example, they might conduct regular audits of medication administration procedures to ensure compliance with safety protocols and guidelines.
Leadership and Mentorship: Nurse managers provide leadership to nursing teams, offering guidance, support, and professional development opportunities to enhance staff performance and morale. This can involve recognizing outstanding achievements among nursing staff and providing training sessions on new patient documentation protocols to ensure that everyone stays updated.

Nursing Manager Skills

Communication: Crucial to effectively conveying information to staff, patients, and other departments, and resolving conflicts
Problem-Solving: Key for addressing patient care and administrative issues in a timely fashion
Knowledge of Health Care Regulations: Required to ensure that the nursing unit complies with all relevant laws and standards, ensuring high-quality care and avoiding legal risks

Utilization Management Nurse

Utilization management nurses help ensure that patients get the most out of available care resources and that health care services are used efficiently. This focus on the strategic use of resources allows utilization management nurses to improve health care outcomes.

Utilization Management Nurse Median Annual Salary: Approximately $79,640, according to April 2024 Payscale data

The primary responsibilities of utilization management nurses include the following:

Assessment and Coordination: Utilization management nurses assess the medical necessity of various treatments and services, thoroughly examining patient records, diagnostic tests, and treatment plans to confirm that the proposed care matches the established medical criteria. This assessment process involves collaboration with health care providers, including physicians and specialists, to ensure that patients receive the right level of care tailored to their clinical needs.
Review and Authorization: Following assessments, utilization management nurses review and authorize health care services. They analyze treatment plans and medical records in detail, taking into account insurance guidelines and cost-effectiveness. This involves verifying the necessity of procedures, medications, and therapies to ensure that they meet both clinical standards and insurance coverage requirements.
Quality Improvement: Utilization management nurses monitor health care outcomes, identifying areas for improvement in patient care delivery processes.
Patient Advocacy: Utilization management nurses advocate for patients’ rights and collaborate with health care teams to ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate health care services.

Utilization Management Nurse Skills

Critical Thinking: Crucial to evaluating medical information and determining the necessity and effectiveness of treatment
Attention to Detail: Required when reviewing medical records and treatment plans meticulously, ensuring accuracy and compliance with health care protocols
Analytical Skills: Important for interpreting health care data, identifying trends in patient care, and implementing strategies to improve health care quality and efficiency

Charge Nurse

Registered nurses in Oklahoma can also explore a career as a charge nurse. These clinicians serve in leadership and coordination roles in nursing units. They manage the daily tasks of a unit to keep operations related to patient care running smoothly and efficiently.

Charge Nurse Median Annual Salary: Approximately $82,010, according to June 2024 Payscale data

The primary responsibilities of charge nurses include the following:

Clinical Leadership: Charge nurses supervise and delegate tasks to nursing staff to ensure that patient care meets specific standards. They assess the individual care needs of patients and schedule nursing staff to best match those needs.
Patient Advocacy: Charge nurses ensure that patients receive fair treatment. This includes ensuring that patients’ preferences are respected and their privacy is protected. Charge nurses collaborate with health care teams to address concerns patients may have about treatment options, pain management, and other issues. They work to quickly resolve any issues that affect patients’ overall experiences.
Quality Assurance: Charge nurses monitor how well patients are recovering and how satisfied they are with their care. This requires ensuring that all staff members follow proper procedures for activities such as administering medications and taking measures to prevent infections. Additionally, charge nurses work to continuously improve care by organizing regular training for staff and updating care practices based on the latest medical guidelines.
Team Collaboration: Charge nurses encourage everyone to work together, communicate openly, and support one another. They come up with strategies that allow nurses to share information quickly, help one another with tasks, and solve problems effectively. Charge nurses also focus on creating a workplace in which nurses feel valued and motivated, boosting staff morale.

Charge Nurse Skills

Leadership: Essential for guiding and motivating nursing staff, making critical decisions during patient emergencies, and encouraging teamwork
Communication: Required to effectively convey care plans, instructions, and updates to nursing staff, physicians, and other health care professionals, ensuring coordinated care delivery
Clinical Expertise: Critical for assessing patient conditions, recognizing changes in health status, and implementing appropriate interventions to ensure patient safety and well-being

Chief Nursing Officer

Chief nursing officers (CNOs) are C-suite level executives responsible for overseeing the nursing staff across an entire organization. They act as crucial links between nursing teams and the upper-level management of health care organizations. This involves communicating nursing staff needs to hospital administrations and relaying administrative policies and goals back to staff. A CNO’s work focuses on ensuring high standards of care by implementing nursing policies that promote best practices and improve the efficiency of a facility’s daily operations.

CNO Median Annual Salary: Approximately $144,120, according to June 2024 Payscale data

The primary responsibilities of CNOs include the following:

Strategic Planning and Policy Development: CNOs develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that nursing departments run smoothly and that nursing practices adhere to the latest health care standards and regulations. For example, a CNO might spearhead the development of a new patient safety protocol to reduce hospital-acquired infections.
Leadership and Staff Development: Leadership is integral to a CNO’s job. These executives mentor and support nursing leaders, offering guidance on their professional development. For example, a CNO might initiate a leadership training program for nurse managers to develop their management skills.
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety: CNOs oversee programs to improve patient care and outcomes. They analyze data and implement changes to enhance safety and effectiveness. For example, a CNO might lead a task force to address a rise in patient falls and develop targeted interventions to reduce fall risks.
Budget Management and Resource Allocation: Effective resource allocation also falls under a CNO’s purview. CNOs manage budgets and make strategic decisions about staffing and equipment purchases. This could mean advocating for additional nursing staff during flu season to handle increased patient volume.

Chief Nursing Officer Skills

Leadership: Crucial to inspiring and guiding nursing staff, making strategic decisions, and driving the organization toward its goals
Financial Acumen: Required to manage budgets, make informed financial decisions, and ensure that resources are used efficiently to support patient care
Regulatory Knowledge: Key to compliance with health care laws and standards, maintaining high-quality care, and avoiding legal issues

Medical Director in Community Health

Registered nurses in Oklahoma who become nurse practitioners and gain the required experience can advance to the position of medical director in community health organizations. These high-level nursing roles involve developing and implementing medical policies designed to address the health care needs of the local communities they serve. The larger goal of medical directors in this context is to improve access to quality health care and boost the health of the community at large.

Medical Director in Community Health Median Annual Salary: Approximately $224,170, according to December 2023 Payscale data

The primary duties of medical directors in community health include the following:

Policy Development: Medical directors design medical policies that address community health priorities, such as vaccination campaigns, chronic disease management programs, or maternal health initiatives. They may also establish protocols for preventive screenings to combat prevalent local health issues, such as diabetes or hypertension.
Program Implementation: Implementing health programs in the community requires oversight. Medical directors might launch initiatives to improve access to mental health services, promote healthy lifestyle choices through educational campaigns, or set up mobile health clinics in underserved areas.
Collaboration and Advocacy: Medical directors often collaborate with local health care providers, government agencies, and community organizations to advocate for public health needs. For example, they might work with schools to bolster sexual health education programs or partner with nonprofits to expand outreach efforts for vulnerable populations.
Public Health Preparedness: Medical directors play a critical role in emergency preparedness and response. They develop strategies and protocols to respond effectively to public health crises, such as pandemics or natural disasters. This helps minimize the impact of the emergency on public health and ensures a coordinated and effective response to protect the community.

Medical Director in Community Health Skills

Communication: Required to effectively convey medical information, advocate for community health needs, and foster partnerships
Strategic Thinking: Critical to planning and adapting health care strategies to best address community health disparities
Public Health Knowledge: Needed to design and implement programs that address health issues prevalent in diverse communities and effectively promote better health and well-being across the community

Chief Nursing Informatics Officer

Chief nursing informatics officers (CNIOs) strategize ways to use technology and data to improve patient care delivery and nursing workflows. They oversee the integration of nursing informatics into clinical practice, ensuring that the nursing staff has access to the tools and systems needed for efficient and effective patient care.

CNIO Median Annual Salary: Approximately $120,000, according to September 2019 Payscale data

The primary duties of CNIOs include the following:

Technology Integration: CNIOs lead efforts to integrate nursing informatics systems into clinical workflows, ensuring that the technology seamlessly supports the tasks that nurses perform to care for their patients. CNIOs may implement electronic health record (EHR) systems, nursing documentation software, and tools that provide nurses with information to help them make better decisions quickly.
Data Management and Analysis: CNIOs oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of nursing data to improve patient outcomes. They develop protocols for data capture, quality assurance, and reporting to support evidence-based nursing practices and clinical decision-making.
Policy Development: CNIOs collaborate with nursing leaders and health care executives to develop policies and standards for nursing informatics. These policies ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while promoting efficient and secure use of health care technology.
Training and Education: The use of informatics tools and technologies requires training. CNIOs educate nursing staff and support professional development initiatives that develop nurses’ ability to effectively use informatics systems.

Chief Nursing Informatics Officer Skills

Strategic Leadership: Critical to driving the adoption and integration of nursing informatics and setting clear goals that can improve patient care
Analytical Thinking: Key to interpreting nursing data to drive continuous improvement in practice and patient care
Health Care Technology Expertise: Key to understanding and implementing advanced technologies, including EHR systems, clinical decision support tools, and nursing informatics applications

Broaden Your Career Possibilities With an Advanced Nursing Degree

The numerous opportunities that nursing offers for growth and specialization present a promising future for those in the field. As the state continues to face shortfalls, registered nurses in Oklahoma stand poised to advance their careers through further education.

The RN to MSN pathway offers a direct route for nurses to expand their skills and qualify for leadership roles, advanced practice positions, or specialized fields in nursing. Whether your passion lies in patient care, management, or innovation through informatics, an advanced degree can give you the expertise to excel.

Discover how The University of Tulsa’s online RN to MSN pathway can open the door to a host of career possibilities.

Recommended Readings

Becoming a Nurse Executive

Nurse Leader vs. Nurse Manager: Differences and How to Advance

Nurse Advancement Opportunities for RNs

Sources:

American Nurses Association, Charge Nurse vs. Nurse Manager: What’s the Difference?

American Nurses Association, How to Be a Good Nurse Manager

American Nurses Association, What Is Nursing Informatics?

American Nurses Association, What Is a Utilization Management Nurse?

Becker’s Hospital Review, “How the CNIO Role Has Evolved”

Bureau of Health Workforce, “Nurse Workforce Projections, 2021-2036”