Kramer School of Nursing Offers Innovative Programs, Cutting-Edge Environment

Oklahoma City University’s Kramer School of Nursing offers a wide range of innovative undergraduate and graduate programs, and has recently invested in a new simulation center.
In addition to a traditional bachelor of science in nursing program, KSN offers a path to a nursing career even if one’s first degree is in another field. Those who have an associate of arts or science degree from a regionally accredited institution and have taken a course equivalent to World Religions at OKCU, as well as those who have earned full undergraduate or graduate degrees, completely meet the university’s general education requirements. Students who choose accelerated coursework can complete a BSN in just 16 months.
The RN-BSN program honors working nurses by awarding them 94 credit hours for their RN licensure, certifications, and continuing education as they enter the program. No additional math or science courses, nursing exams, care plans, or clinical hours are required. RN-BSN students meet in person for just four hours per week and can complete their degrees in just two semesters. Not only are classes held at the Oklahoma City campus, but the RN-BSN faculty travel across the state as well. The program currently features classes at Mercy Hospital Ardmore and at Norman Regional Hospital.
Many students who complete their BSN at Kramer School of Nursing choose to stay and earn a graduate degree. In addition to a Master of Nursing (MSN) degree with emphasis in leadership or education, KSN offers a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) specialization. The CNL is a relatively new role which serves as advanced generalist and interdisciplinary team leader, particularly in complex healthcare organizations. Other graduate programs include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) in which nurses with a BSN a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in just four years of part-time study. A DNP-completion program with emphasis in administration or clinical specialization is also available, as well as post-master’s FNP and AGACNP certificates which help nurses transition between advanced practice fields. Advanced nursing programs also require advanced nurse educators, so KSN further offers PhD and BSN-PhD programs.
The school recently completed a $1 million renovation to create the new Meinders Simulation Center. Designed to look and feel as close as possible to an actual hospital, the facility features seven high-fidelity simulators which are used to provide enhanced educational experiences to students. The manikins create extremely life-like behaviors and reactions including pulse, breathing, pupil dilation, internal sounds, and vocal sounds which can present a wide range of normal and abnormal pediatric, obstetric, medical/surgical, and intensive care scenarios. The manikins can also be manipulated during a simulation exercise to demonstrate reactions to medication or other interventions. Undergraduate and graduate students will use the simulation center during their courses of study.
More information about Kramer School of Nursing can be found at okcu.edu/nursing or by calling (405) 208-5900.