Story and photo by Darl DeVault, contributing editor
This year, 300 registered nurses, nurse practitioners, educators, student nurses and healthcare advocates came together in the morning on March 3 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. They were part of an Oklahoma Nurses Association (ONA) Nurses Day at the Capitol community interacting to hear about crucial legislation and listening to speakers advocating for the positive transformation of their profession.
After the meeting, the dedicated professionals traveled to the Oklahoma Capitol in the afternoon to lobby for new legislation on key topics, including protecting nurses from surgical smoke amid evolving challenges in their work environment. This year, key topics included advocating for workplace violence prevention, safe staffing levels, and patient safety.
The nursing professionals and healthcare partners also celebrated major achievements in legislative victories, such as the successful veto override of House Bill 2298, fostering pride and confidence in their collective impact.
Last year’s bill sent to the Governor granted qualified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) independent prescriptive authority, enabling them to prescribe medications without a mandatory physician supervision agreement, which directly enhances their ability to provide comprehensive care.
Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed the bill in early 2025, citing concerns over patient safety and the difference in training hours between physicians and nurse practitioners.
Oklahoma ranks 49th nationally in provider availability, particularly among prescribers such as primary care physicians and nurse practitioners, underscoring the critical need for continued advocacy and progress.
For Nurse Practitioners who often fill primary care gaps, Oklahoma ranks 4th lowest, with only about 84.66 NPs per 100,000 people as of late 2025.
Long-time lobbyist Vickie White-Rankin led the ONA’s advocacy efforts, coordinating with hundreds of nurses who went to the Capitol last year, making them feel appreciated and motivated by their vital role in expanding healthcare access.
On the final day of the 2025 legislative session, both the House and the Senate voted to override the veto, thereby making the bill law, effective November 1, 2025.
When the new law took effect in November 2025, APRNs were encouraged to submit their qualifications to the Oklahoma Nurse Portal to apply for Independent Prescriptive Authority Recognition. One of the morning’s speakers and, over the last few years, the most vocal in pushing the agenda was the first to upload her qualifications to the Portal, taking a significant step forward.
“While seeing patients, I received a call from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Most calls like that can make your heart stop — but this one was different,” MSN, APRN-CNP, Co-Chair of Advanced Practice Nurses Oklahoma – ONA Chapter Stephanie Keesee-Pipkin said. “They were calling to congratulate me on being the first APRN in Oklahoma to receive full scope of practice. I’m honored, humbled, and excited for what this means for patients, providers, and the future of healthcare in our state.”
She became the first Oklahoma APRN to earn the designation of having “Independent Prescriptive Authority” under new state regulations. Also, Keesee emphasized how nurses were newly important as world-class healthcare providers during COVID-19 at the clinic she and her team opened in 2018.
At our Corner Clinic in Holdenville, our staff of six was doing everything we could to help our patients who had mild to moderate COVID-19 infections. They were at grave risk for progressing to severe COVID-19, facing hospitalization and death,” Keese said.
The Nurses Day at the Capitol was about their nursing association’s progressive approach to disseminating important, cutting-edge information and therapies. The ONA takes great pride in keeping everyone up to date, a hallmark of delivering world-class medical care.
Keynote Speaker Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond outlined several bold legal and regulatory actions he has taken in the medical sector.
The AG has sued since 2024 to curb “needless” price increases and unfair practices by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). His securing large financial settlements centers on holding these middlemen accountable for inflating drug costs through deceptive pricing schemes and predatory reimbursement practices that threaten local pharmacies.
The first of four major lawsuits was the Insulin Pricing Lawsuit in May of 2024, in which Drummond sued major PBMs and insulin manufacturers for an alleged “unfair and deceptive pricing scheme”. The lawsuit claims these entities coordinated to artificially inflate insulin prices by more than 1,000% while production costs declined.
Several attendees remarked that the ONA’s Strategic Goals, which include advancing the profession to improve health through advocacy, philanthropy, practice, and innovation, are not just a roadmap for the future but also a source of inspiration. They aim to champion nursing’s value and increase its positive impact on health and society, inspiring all nurses to strive for excellence in their practice.
The association members are advocating for the passage of these key bills under review:
HB 3793 (Oklahoma Nursing Modernization Act of 2026): This bill aims to modernize nursing regulations and standards across the state, with an effective date set for November 1, 2026.
HB 4431 (APRN Malpractice Insurance): This legislation clarifies malpractice insurance requirements for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), specifying minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in annual aggregate.
SB 1567 (Nursing Supervision Fees): This bill modifies restrictions on supervision fees for APRNs and prohibits certain requirements previously mandated by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
HB 2298 (Implementation Follow-up): Following its passage, this bill remains a focus as it allows eligible APRNs to apply for independent prescriptive authority starting in late 2025 and moving into 2026.
HB 4462 (Prior Authorization): This measure addresses the health insurance prior authorization process, which often impacts nurse-led patient care and administrative workloads.
They are also championing broad advocacy initiatives. Beyond specific bill numbers, the ONA is prioritizing long-term solutions for the Oklahoma nursing shortage.
Rural Health Reform: Supporting the Oklahoma Rural Health Reform Act of 2026 (HB 3562) to improve healthcare access in underserved areas.
Mental Health: Tracking the Oklahoma Mental Health Reform Act of 2026 (HB 4444) to enhance behavioral health support.
Nurse Engagement: Encouraging participation in the Nurse of the Day Program, which allows nurses to meet directly with legislators at the Capitol.
