Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond offers a unique nursing program that combines
faith and firsthand experience preparing students with a well-rounded education.
“Our first graduating class was 2008, and now we have an enrollment that’s nearing just over 450,” Dr. Toni Davis, DNP, RN, Oklahoma Christian University Chair of Nursing, Assistant Professor of Nursing said. “We are unique in the fact that we are a small Christian school. We have a diverse population of students, and we have a diverse population of faculty. We have 10 students to one professor. That is pretty good.”
OC offers a Nursing (B.S.N., Pre-Licensure) program with both on-campus and online learning. An OC graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will:
1. Exemplify Christian principles of compassion, service, integrity, and respect for the well-being of clients, peers, and self.
2. Synthesize critical thinking skills for professional nursing practice.
3. Communicate clearly, effectively, and appropriately with clients and other healthcare providers to promote positive client outcomes.
4. Provide appropriate and safe nursing care (clinically competent) to clients.
5. Demonstrate a leadership style consistent with academic preparation while adhering to the standards of the nursing profession.
6. Provide nursing care based on knowledge and appreciation of unique cultural variations.
Students must complete a minimum of 123 hours including the major, core, and minor if required. Additional elective hours may be required to reach a total of 123 hours.
Davis said OC offers a state-of-the-art simulation lab for nursing students.
“We have an amazing simulation lab,” she said. “We’re able to teach students about how to take care of patients with mannequins. That is unique for a small school like ours.”
Davis said OC nursing students can earn their degree online, if desired.
“We have an online program that’s one of a kind,” she said.
“There’s not one like this anywhere where a student can get a four-year degree in nursing all online. We have three starting dates. You can start in the fall, you can start in the spring, and you can start in the summertime. The online program does allow for those who are working adults to have the flexibility to take classes online. They do have to come on campus to do some validation of skills and go to clinicals in the hospitals. Over 660 hours of clinical hours that’s required for Oklahoma Christian for these students to graduate and be ready for the workforce. That’s for both online and in-person.”
Davis said OC nursing students can learn through mission trips.
“We offer international and domestic mission trips for all students to have that opportunity to do that, which is unique as well,” she said.
Davis said OC tackles specialties of nursing, namely critical care, pediatrics, and obstetrics.
“We cover most medical specialties,” she said. “Med-Surg nursing, critical care, pediatrics, mental health. There are schools that combine those classes. Not Oklahoma Christian. We have those classes one at a time.” Davis said OC does community health services.
“We serve the community. We do school screenings, we work at public health agencies across the state,” she said.
OC nursing students do clinical training.
“They’re getting in and doing the job. When these students go to clinicals, they’re assigned a nurse every clinical shift, which can be between eight- and 12-hours shift,” Davis said. “It is not really a following or a shadowing. The clinical training is where they do the work as a nurse under the supervision of their clinical instructor and the preceptor, the nurse they’re assigned.”
Davis said before a student is accepted to the OC nursing school, they must take four introductory classes.
“That’s when we introduce the simulation lab to them,” she said. “We’ve got four introductory courses that we give them teaching the early skills of taking care of patients. It is hands-on from the beginning. We teach them how to take care of patients before they enter the nursing program. That is unique.”
Gabriel Jeter, an OC senior, said the OC School of Nursing is the most supportive faculty on campus.
“I’ve never met a group of professors who have cared more about their students, their health and their overall well-being,” he said. “I will be a better nurse because of my experience here at OC!”
Davis said faith plays a key role in OC’s students’ lives.
“It’s no secret everywhere that nursing is tough,” she said. “What makes us unique, though, is that we instruct our students not really to bear it but just to seek Christ
in all of your endeavors and all the things that you do with patients. That sets us aside from everyone else.”
For more information about OC visit https://www.oc.edu/academics/college-of-sciences-education/nursing
