Dr. Nikole Hicks named NOC Nursing Division Chair

Northern Oklahoma College has hired Dr. Nikole Hicks as the Nursing Division Chair.

Dr. Hicks has over thirty years of experience in nursing, including clinical, education, and supervisory/management roles, clinical expertise in maternal/child, adult health, and perinatal education.

She has over 20 years of experience in academic nursing education, including program and curriculum development and assessment; accreditation; administration; graduate, undergraduate, traditional, hybrid, and online teaching.

Her scholarly interests include online teaching strategies, curriculum development, test construction, and faculty development.

“This is a transformational time in academic nursing education,” Hicks said.  “I am excited to work with the excellent faculty and staff at NOC to prepare the next generation of nurses to improve the health of Oklahomans in our region.”

Dr. Hicks comes to NOC from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva where she was an Associate Professor in the Nursing Division. Prior to moving to Oklahoma, she was Dean of Nursing at Kentucky Christian University.

“Dr. Hicks joins NOC at a time of great change in higher education, but she and the nursing faculty have all been working hard from the start to address new opportunities for providing experiential learning with different modes of delivery,” said Dr. Pam Stinson, NOC Vice President for Academic Affairs.  “We are so pleased to have her part of the NOC faculty.”

Dr. Hicks oversees 11 full time master’s prepared faculty members at three locations in Tonkawa, Enid, and Stillwater.  The NOC program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

All nursing locations have a high-fidelity computerized simulation mannequin that mimics real-life human functions and at least four mid-fidelity simulators including an adult, a birthing simulator that provides students with the ability to experience labor and delivery, a pediatric client and a neonate.  The mid-fidelity simulators give the student the ability to assess vital signs. master nursing skills and identify changes in a client’s status.

NOC also provides health fairs, vital sign and handwashing clinics, health education to public and volunteer hours in the Tonkawa, Enid, and Stillwater areas.

NOC also works with Career Technology Centers to provide LPNs the opportunity to further their education.

NOC’s nursing program focuses on preparing students for the work force.  In fact, over 90 percent of NOC students are employed before they graduate with 94 percent staying in Oklahoma after graduation.

Dr. Hicks received her BSN from the University of Iowa, an MSN from the University of Phoenix, and a PhD in Nursing Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

Dr. Hicks replaces Cammie Bradley.

Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services which create life-changing experiences and develop students as effective learners and leaders within their communities in a connected, ever changing world.

NOC, a public two-year community college, serves 5,700 students on the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater, online, and the University Center in Ponca City. Of these students about 60% receive financial aid and/or scholarships.

NOC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science.  The associate degree fulfills lower-division course work which is applicable towards a bachelor’s degree.

Call (580) 628-6200 for more information about Northern Oklahoma College or visit www.noc.edu .