NOC nursing program meets needs of rural Oklahoma

TONKAWA — The Northern Oklahoma College Nursing Program plays a vital role in the delivery of health care services to the citizens of Oklahoma, especially in rural areas.  The NOC program, headed by Division Chair Cammie Bradley, is future-oriented, learning-focused, connected, and distinctive.

“NOC provides high quality nursing education to our local communities by providing up-to-date clinical knowledge with the help of our partnering local health facilities, as well as regional healthcare facilities in the Oklahoma City area,” Bradley said.  “We want our students to understand the importance of advanced clinical judgement and the future of nursing.  For the 18^th year in a row, Americans have voted nursing the most trusted profession and we would like to think that we are instilling that legacy into our students.”

NOC’s 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.

Bradley oversees 11 full time master’s prepared faculty members at three locations.  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.

Northern offers 14 scholarships available specifically for nursing students, along with many other scholarship opportunities.