Oklahoma Center for Nursing

08/21/2026

Nurses: Plan to vote on Tuesday, August 25th.

08/20/2026

There's an election coming up on August 25, and we want to make sure you and your peers know about it.

Every registered Oklahoma voter will have SQ 844 and SQ 846 on their ballot. Depending on where you live and how you're registered, you may also have local races or party runoff races.

Take 30 seconds to check your sample ballot—and help someone else remember to check theirs.

Whether you've voted for years or haven't cast your first ballot yet, you belong in this. And if someone in your life doesn't know about this election, this is a good chance to send them a quick reminder too.

https://okpolicy.org/august2026elections/

08/20/2026

Time to highlight a dynamic duo: Caitlin Dressler and Catherine Harris - these two sisters are part of our ONFA Cohort 1 scholars. Both are working on their PhD in Nursing 🤯 Both currently teach undergraduate nursing students 🥳 Imagine how proud their parents must be!

Catherine and Caitlin: Thank you for contributing to nursing science and nursing education in our great state! We are proud to have you in ONFA.

08/19/2026

Very excited to watch this professional organization form an Oklahoma chapter! Great job to these 14 founding members!

On Monday evening, 14 individuals across Oklahoma came together with a shared purpose: to bring the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) to our state. Together, we voted to establish Oklahoma’s very first NAHN chapter.

Today, we are proud to introduce its founding members.

From student to bedside to educator, representation matters across the nursing continuum.

It matters in our classrooms, in healthcare leadership, and in the communities we serve. Especially as Oklahoma’s Hispanic population continues to grow.

We believe there is an opportunity to create something meaningful in our state: a space where nurses, nursing students, and allies can connect, mentor one another, grow professionally, and work together to support, advocate for, and serve Oklahoma’s Hispanic community.

We are now moving forward as a chapter, completing the bylaws, state and federal filings, and organizational requirements that come with building a strong foundation for what is ahead.

There is still paperwork to complete, but something big has begun in Oklahoma.

Fourteen individuals came together Monday night, but this chapter is being built for so many more.

This is only the beginning.

As we continue building, growing, and navigating this new chapter together, we invite you to join us on this journey.

Whether you are a nursing student, CNA, bedside nurse, educator, advanced practice nurse, leader, or ally to our mission. There is a place for you here.

08/18/2026

The Oklahoma Education Security Commission is seeking eligible employers who can benefit from up to $500K of funding to strengthen healthcare talent pipelines. This is a great opportunity that could fund a Nurse Extern Program, Nurse Intern Program, or reimburse a small business for training cost associated with hiring nurse technicians or nurse aides. The first step is becoming an eligible employer through OESC. More information here: https://guild.com/oktalent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

08/18/2026

Question to all the nurses out there: How did you decide which specialty was the right fit after graduation? What advice do you have for job-seeking new grads?

Some students start nursing school with a clear career path in mind, while others are still exploring their options. The good news? Nursing students do not have to figure it out alone.

The Oklahoma Center for Nursing has a free AI-powered assessment designed to help nursing students and new nurses discover clinical specialties that align with their unique personality traits and strengths.

Explore your perfect nursing fit today. Take the quiz and see where your future could lead:

Participate Now in the FREE OKCN Project: Personality-based Career Pathways for New Graduates / NursesThis may be part of a research study reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without penalty. HOW IT WORKS BY TEXT M...

08/17/2026

08/17/2026

We're proud to spotlight Claressa Patyon - an Oklahoma Nurse Faculty Academy (ONFA) Scholar who is already making an impact as a future nurse educator. This fall, Claressa is teaching at Oklahoma Baptist University, bringing with her a passion for mentorship, lifelong learning, and creating psychologically safe environments for nursing students.

She shared that her biggest takeaway from the ONFA in-person meeting was learning strategies to foster psychological safe learning environments and connecting with experienced educators who offered invaluable insights and encouragement.

Psychological safety is more than a concept. When nursing students feel safe to ask questions, learn from mistakes, and seek support, they develop the confidence and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in practice. Investing in supportive learning environments today helps strengthen the nursing workforce of tomorrow.

We're excited to see all Claressa accomplishes and how she'll pay her ONFA experience forward to future nurse educators.

08/13/2026

Meet some of the mentors behind the Oklahoma Nurse Faculty Academy.

Great nurse educators don't just teach. They inspire, guide, encourage, and invest in those who follow in their footsteps.

Our ONFA Mentors are accomplished nurse educators who are generously sharing their knowledge, experience, and passion with early-career faculty across Oklahoma. Through one-on-one mentorship, they are helping cultivate confidence, excellence, and the next generation of nurse educators.

When we support nurse educators, we strengthen nursing programs. When we strengthen nursing programs, we help build a healthier future for Oklahoma.

08/12/2026