University Of Oklahoma To Announce Initiative Addressing State’s Nursing Shortage

OKC-News 9

The University of Oklahoma says it has a plan to help solve Oklahoma’s nursing shortage.

Currently, Oklahoma ranks 46th in the nation when it comes to the number of nurses per capita.

Through this new initiative, OU is hoping to change that.

State and health leaders, including Gov. Kevin Stitt and OU President Joseph Harroz, announced the details Tuesday morning at the state Capitol.

At some points last year, Oklahoma got down to 11 nurses per 1000 people.

Some hospitals, like OU Health, had nurse vacancy rates as high as 19%.

One of the biggest reasons for this shortage is the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Different hospitals across the state have tried offering incentives to keep current nurses or bring new ones on, which included sign-on bonuses and nursing degree acceleration programs.

This new initiative, through the University of Oklahoma’s Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, will hopefully help directly support the critical need for nurses across our state.