Western Oklahoma State College

Please read concerning the upcoming program evaluation by the NLN CNEA:

“The Western Oklahoma State College Associate Degree in Nursing Program (delivered via distance education) is pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487.

Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments in writing directly to:

NLN CNEA, attention Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger, NLN CNEA Executive Director, no later than September 16, 2024, to cneaaccreditation@nln.org.

About Western's Nursing Program

A career in nursing offers challenges, self-satisfaction and the opportunity to be a member of the interdisciplinary team providing care in various health care settings.

The Nursing Program at Western Oklahoma State College was established in 1981 and has focused on preparing individuals to become caring, safe, entry-level nurses for more than 40 years. Western's nursing program is offered at three campus sites: Altus, Lawton, and Elk City. There is also an online track for qualified LPNs.  Western's ADN program has several program tracks. There are face-to-face classes for both general and advanced standing entry students and online classes with a face-to-face clinical component for advanced standing students.  Students in the face-to-face tracks are able to take daytime classes at all three campuses.

For Fall 2024, Western's Nursing Program will accept new students to the following campuses:

• Altus
• Elk City
• Online for the LPN-to-RN program.  Clinical rotations sites in Altus, Elk City, Lawton, and Duncan.

The nursing program is designed for the student who plans to enter the job force immediately. After successful completion of the required curriculum, you will receive an Associate's of Applied Science Degree which prepares you for the Registered Nurse licensure exam. The program consists of a prerequisite semester in which students must have completed all prerequisite courses prior to admission to the Nursing Program. Because of the limited spaces available in this program, admission is highly competitive and completion of all general education, related, and support courses is highly recommended. To be considered for acceptance to the Nursing Program, the student must meet certain entrance standards. Contact the Nursing Department for additional program admission requirements and program details.

The minimum time to complete the program requirements is five semesters. Classroom study is combined with practical application in nursing experiences at various clinics and hospitals. The number of applicants to be accepted will reflect the availability of appropriate clinical experience.  

Classes are on Mondays and Thursdays: Daytime 09:00 am - 12:00 pm CST (all three campuses).

Clinical rotations are one (1) day per week. This varies for traditional students: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, or Saturdays with times of either 06:30 am - 3:30 pm or 2:30 pm - 11:30 pm. LPN-to-RN online students have clinical rotations either Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays. Times are 6:30 am - 3:30 pm or 2:30 pm - 11:30 pm.

Advanced Standing Students, i.e. licensed practical/vocational nurses that are currently working as an LPN/LVN and have an unencumbered license, are able to apply and enter the program either in Nursing I, Nursing II (Maternity/Pediatric semester), and/or take the HESI mobility exam in addition to the pre-nursing examination HESI A2, and if successful, enter Nursing III in the sophomore year of the program. 

By establishing admission criteria and procedures, the Department of Nursing faculty hopes to ensure that students selected for the program are capable of successfully completing the nursing program and passing the national examination. 

 Accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.

Note:  As of February 16, 2023, the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)has changed the accreditation status for all campuses of the Western Oklahoma State College Associate Degree in Nursing program to probationary status .   

As of June 21, 2023, the NLN CNEA added quality improvement conditions to the existing probationary status.  Please click here to review the WOSC Nursing Program letter regarding these conditions. 

“Update to accreditation status (June 2023). The National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) Board of Commissioners met on June 14-15, 2023 and placed the Western Oklahoma State College, Associate Degree in Nursing Program (via distance education) on probationary status for a period of one year (June 2023 – June 2024). 

Update from the NLN CNEA:  

“Update to accreditation status (February 2024). The National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) Board of Commissioners met on February 14-15, 2024 and extended the probationary status for the Associate Degree in Nursing Program with Pre-licensure and LPN-AD Tracks (delivered via distance education) at Western Oklahoma State College, Altus, OK for a period of one year (February 2024 – February 2025). Full information regarding the probationary status is provided on the NLN CNEA website, under February 2024 Board of Commissioners actions: https://cnea.nln.org/board-of-commissioner-actions.”

The letter from WOSC Director of Nursing to students explains the most recent update to the probationary status from the NLN CNEA. This link to the NLN CNEA Board Actions website provides details regarding the actions taken by the of the Board of Commissioners for the NLN CNEA. 

Eligibility for NCLEX-RN Testing

Western Oklahoma State College Department of Nursing is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Graduates of this state-approved program are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses. Applicants for Oklahoma licensure must meet all state and federal requirements to hold an Oklahoma license to practice nursing. In addition  to completing a state-approved nursing education program that meets educational requirements and successfully passing the licensure examination, requirements  include submission of an application for licensure, a criminal history records  search, and evidence of citizenship or qualified alien status [59 O.S. §§567.5 &  567.6]. To be granted a license, an applicant must have the legal right to be in the United States (United States Code Chapter 8, Section 1621). In addition, Oklahoma law only allows a license to be issued to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent resident aliens. Other qualified aliens may be issued a temporary license that is valid until the expiration of their visa status, or if there is no expiration date, for one year. Applicants who are qualified aliens must present to the Board office, in person, valid documentary evidence of: 

1. A valid, unexpired immigrant or nonimmigrant visa status for admission into the United States;
2. A pending or approved application for asylum in the United States; 3. Admission into the United States in refugee status; 
3. A pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
4. Approved deferred action status; or
5. A pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident status or conditional resident status. 

The Board has the authority to deny a license, recognition or certificate; issue a license, recognition or certificate with conditions and/or an administrative penalty; or to issue and otherwise discipline a license, recognition or certificate to an individual with a history of criminal background, disciplinary action on any professional or occupational license or certification, or judicial declaration of mental incompetence [59 O.S. §567.8]. These cases are considered on an individual basis at the time application for licensure is made. Potential applicants to state-approved education programs, with a criminal history, may obtain a determination of eligibility for licensure or certification from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing for a fee. The determination of eligibility for licensure petition can be accessed at https://nursing.ok.gov/initialdeterm.pdf

 For any students seeking licensure outside the state of Oklahoma, licensure information can be found in the table: Nursing Licensure by State

Program Outcome Data for Measurement Indicators 

Click here to view Program Outcomes.

Request Advisement Appointment

Click here for a faculty advisor closest to you to schedule an appointment.

Please continue visiting the nursing site for additional information on the nursing program.