Complete Guide: Salaries, Programs & Fast ROI
Oklahoma LPNs earn $57,376/year while RNs earn $83,000/year—a $25,624 annual increase (45%). Oklahoma City: LPN $59k-$68k, RN $82k-$92k. Tulsa: LPN $58k-$67k, RN $85k-$95k. Travel RNs: $1,600-$2,200/week. Low cost of living makes OK salaries very competitive.
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Location: Tonkawa/Enid | Duration: 12-15 months | Cost: $8k-$11k
Website: noc.edu
Advanced standing credit for LPNs. OK Board of Nursing approved. Affordable community college.
Location: Poteau (Eastern OK) | Duration: 12-18 months | Cost: $7.5k-$10k
ACEN-accredited. OK Board approved. Hybrid format. Excellent value.
Location: Tishomingo | Duration: 12 months (accelerated) | Cost: $8k-$11k
Website: mscok.edu
Fast 12-month track. Supports career advancement for healthcare professionals.
Location: Oklahoma City (OUHSC) | Duration: 2-3 years (part-time) | Cost: $20k-$28k
Website: nursing.ouhsc.edu
BSN pathway. Fall admission only. University degree for leadership roles.
Location: Weatherford (online format) | Duration: 2-3 years | Cost: $18k-$24k
Website: swosu.edu
Online except clinicals. OK Board approved. Prepares for NCLEX-RN and leadership.
Location: Oklahoma City | Duration: 2-3 years | Cost: $28k-$38k
Website: okcu.edu
Kramer School of Nursing. Private university. LPN transition to BSN.
Location: Oklahoma City | Duration: 18-24 months | Cost: $12k-$16k
Website: osuokc.edu
Removed barriers for LPN-to-RN transition. Flexible pathways.
Prerequisites: Active OK LPN license, HS diploma/GED, A&P I & II, Micro, Chemistry, English, Psych. TEAS: 60-70%. Additional: Background check, drug screen, immunizations, CPR, health exam.
Federal: Pell Grant $7,395/year; Loans; Work-Study. Oklahoma: Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG) up to $3,000/year; Oklahoma's Promise (full tuition for eligible). Nursing: HRSA Nurse Corps, hospital scholarships. Employers: $2,000-$6,000/year (OU Health, SSM Health, Integris, Saint Francis).
RN Growth: 8-11% (2024-2034). Annual Openings: ~3,500 RN positions. Major Employers: OU Health (OKC, $80k-$92k), Saint Francis Health (Tulsa, $82k-$94k), Integris Health ($78k-$90k), SSM Health ($76k-$88k). Specialties: ICU ($85k-$102k), ED ($83k-$98k), OR ($84k-$99k).
Process: Graduate → Apply to OK Board → Background check → NCLEX-RN → RN license. Pass Rate: OK 85-88%. Renewal: Every 2 years; no CE required. eNLC: Yes—practice in 40+ states.
Competitive salaries + lowest cost of living: Your $83k goes further. eNLC: 40+ states. Affordable education: Community colleges $7.5k-$11k. Quality of life: Low taxes, affordable housing, friendly communities. Career growth: Major metros OKC & Tulsa.
Investment: ADN $10k avg; Books $1k; NCLEX $400; Licensing $150 = Total $11,550. Return: $25,624/year. Break-Even: 5 months. Lifetime: $1,024,960 over 40 years.
Now: Research programs, assess prerequisites. 3-6 months: Complete courses, take TEAS, apply for aid. Apply: 2-4 programs, background checks. Post-grad: NCLEX review, pass exam, apply for RN jobs.
ROI: 5 months. Lifetime gain: $1,024,960+.
Explore Oklahoma LPN-to-RN Programs