School of Nursing

Purpose

The Oklahoma Baptist University School of Nursing is a baccalaureate program for the preparation of a professional nurse. The nursing faculty view nursing as a Christian ministry and as a professional practice. During nursing courses students learn to provide quality nursing care through competent practice. Our mission is to educate students to become professional, caring, and competent nurses who are prepared to integrate personal faith with the discipline of nursing while engaging in Christian service within a diverse world. Upon completion of the program, the graduate is qualified to take the national examination for licensure as a registered nurse in a state of choice.

Major and Minor Programs of Study

The School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science degree which combines professional education in the theory and practice of nursing with a basic liberal arts education. The nursing student is enrolled in nursing as the Area of Concentration. Additional minors are not required, but are offered in Cross Cultural Ministry and in Faith Community Nursing upon demand. Other minors may be completed as designated in the appropriate section of this catalog.

The School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree that may be earned as a second bachelor’s degree. Students earning a second degree must complete BSN prerequisites and supportive courses (science, math, social science), REL 3073 Biblical Ethics, and an Old or New Testament survey course. Also, a pathway is available for Licensed Practical Nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing through the LPN option.

Accreditation and Licensure

The School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Graduates 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. Additional important licensure eligibility stipulations are described in the following Oklahoma Board of Nursing section.

Oklahoma Board of Nursing

2915 North Classen Boulevard, Suite 524
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106
405-962-1800
Role/Responsibility of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing in Nursing Education Programs

The Oklahoma Baptist University College 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:

A valid, unexpired immigrant or nonimmigrant visa status for admission into the United States;
A pending or approved application for asylum in the United States;
Admission into the United Sates in refugee status;
A pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
Approved deferred action status; or
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, with the exception of felony convictions. Potential applicants to state-approved education programs, with a criminal history, may obtain an initial determination of eligibility for licensure or certification from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing for a fee. The initial determination of eligibility for licensure petition can be accessed at http://nursing.ok.gov/initialdeterm.pdf.

Dean of Business, Health Science, and Education

Larinee Dennis
Co-Interim Provost
B.S.E., Hannibal-LaGrange College, 2001
M.S.E., University of Missouri, 2003
Ph.D., New Mexico State University, 2013

Chair, Nursing

Faculty

Jaime Brantley, RN
Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Union University, 2001
M.S.N., Union University, 2007
Joined the OBU faculty in 2016.

Robin R. Brothers, RN
Associate Professor of Nursing
L.P.N., Autry Technology Center, 1996
A.D.N., Northern Oklahoma College, 1998
B.S.N., Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 2007
M.S.N., University of Oklahoma, 2009
Ph.D., Oklahoma City University, 2016
Joined the OBU faculty in 2016.

Harriet Cooper
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.A., University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 2006
M.S.N., Oklahoma Baptist University, 2019
Joined the OBU faculty in 2021.

Shaelene R. Fipps, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., East Central University, 2005
M.S.N., University of Oklahoma, 2013
D.N.P., Grand Canyon University, 2019
Joined the OBU faculty in 2016.

Laura K. Gramling, APRN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., Oklahoma City Community College, 2005
B.S.N., Midwestern State University, 2005
M.S.N., Midwestern State University, 2014
D.N.P., Frontier State University, 2021
Joined the OBU faculty in 2017.

Kathleen L. Kennedy, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., University of Oklahoma, 1994
M.S.N., Oklahoma Baptist University, 2021
Joined the OBU faculty in 2022.

Joan Klerekoper, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Avila University
M.S.N., University of Texas at Arlington
Joined the OBU faculty in 2017.

Megan Smith, RN
Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Bob Jones University, 2008
M.S.N., Oklahoma Baptist University, 2014
Joined the OBU faculty in 2014.

Dawn Westbrook, RN
Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Oklahoma Baptist University, 1989
M.S.N., Oklahoma Baptist University, 2010
Joined the OBU faculty in 2010.

Admission to Upper Division Nursing Courses Requirements

After being accepted into the University and having completed NURS 2213 , the student may apply for enrollment in the upper division nursing courses. An application for admission may be obtained on the OBU School of Nursing website.

It is important that applicants understand the following facts before being admitted to a course of study ending in a nursing license.

Immunization of health care providers is required. This is to protect compromised patients from exposure to communicable disease. OBU cannot guarantee a clinical placement for students who choose to not be immunized. Without clinical placement, the student cannot complete a nursing degree.
A urine drug screen is required. Marijuana is an illegal drug federally. Any agency receiving federal funds of any kind is prohibited from allowing marijuana use. Health care agencies receive federal funds. Additionally, health care agencies prohibit providers’ use of any substance which might impair judgment and put patients at risk. Therefore, a student who tests positive for marijuana, even if it is for medical purposes, is at risk of not receiving clinical placement in health care agencies. Without clinical placement, the student cannot complete a nursing degree.
A state and national criminal background check is required. Certain crimes prohibit individuals from holding a license to practice nursing. If these crimes are identified by the background check, the student is at risk of not receiving clinical placement in health care agencies. Without clinical placement, the student cannot complete a nursing degree. Before beginning a nursing course of study, if there a crime in an individual’s background, an Initial Determination of Eligibility for licensure can be obtained from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
Individuals who are in the country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) may test for a nursing license only in certain states. The license once received may not have reciprocity in other states.

Each applicant is considered by a committee composed of faculty from the School of Nursing. Admission to and continuation in the nursing program requires a professional review by the faculty. Criteria for admission to and progression in the Nursing Area of Concentration are listed below.

Prior to the first day of class in NURS 3294 (due date designated by School of Nursing), students must provide certification of the following:

Immunizations/Titers

Hepatitis B
Varicella (chicken pox)
Measles,
Mumps
Rubella (MMR)
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
Corona Virus (COVID) Vaccination or request for waiver

TB testing (PPD, IGRA)
CPR Certification
Background Check
Drug Screening
Confidentiality Statement
Student Handbook Signature Page
NESA Mandatory Education
Health Insurance

For more detailed information, see the Clinical Practicum Requirement Policy in the OBU School of Nursing Student Handbook.

Criteria for Admission in Upper Division Nursing Courses

The following criteria must be met for conditional admission into the nursing program.

Complete online application and pay application fee.
Earn a minimum 2.80 overall GPA including a minimum 2.80 GPA in all prerequisite courses.
A student must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of “C”: BIOL 3274 , BIOL 2354 , BIOL 2364 , CHEM 1124 , MATH 1163 , MATH 2003 , NURS 1101 , NURS 2013 , NURS 2213 , SOCI 1223 , and PSYC 1223 .
A student may repeat any of the following courses only one time: BIOL 3274 , BIOL 2354 , BIOL 2364 , CHEM 1124 , MATH 1163 , MATH 2003 , NURS 1101 , NURS 2013 , NURS 2213 , SOCI 1223 , and PSYC 1223 .
A student cannot repeat more than two of any of the following courses: BIOL 3274 , BIOL 2354 , BIOL 2364 , CHEM 1124 , MATH 1163 , MATH 2003 , NURS 1101 , NURS 2013 , NURS 2213 , SOCI 1223 , and PSYC 1223 . If a student must repeat more than two of the courses at any institution to achieve a grade of “C”, the student will not be able to apply for admission to the OBU School of Nursing
Achieve a minimum average of 70% on exams in all courses with NURS prefix.
Completion of all Clinical Practicum Requirements.
If the student has attended any nursing programs previously, submit a letter from the Dean/Director stating the student was in good academic standing. This must accompany the application.

The following criteria must be met for full admission into the nursing program.

Upon admission to the upper division nursing program, the applicant may have a maximum of 9 non-nursing credit hours to complete (not including those in the degree plan). The outstanding 9 credit hours cannot include courses required for admission to the School of Nursing. The student must have these outstanding credits completed by the start of the Senior I semester to continue progression into the senior year of the program.
Completion of all conditional requirements.
For courses taken during the summer session at another college or university, all official transcripts must be in the Academic Center no later than August 15, or student will not be considered for admission.

General Criteria for Progression in Area of Concentration Courses

Once a student has been admitted to the School of Nursing, the following progression criteria must be met to remain in the program.

Earn a minimum of “C” in all Nursing Area of Concentration courses.
A student is limited in the numbers of prerequisite, supportive, and Nursing Area of Concentration courses that can be repeated. (See list of prerequisite and supportive courses in the Admission Criteria.) If a student is unsuccessful in a third prerequisite, supportive, or Nursing Area of concentration course which has been taken at any institution, at the time of the third failure, the student will not be able to continue working toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at OBU.
A student may repeat any course only once.
Achieve a 95% score on a medication safety exam each semester.
Achieve a minimum average of 70% on exams in all nursing courses.
Maintain as specified current Clinical Practicum Requirements.

Section 504 Statement

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, any student who has a documented disability (or would like to pursue documenting a disability) should contact the Student Services Office as soon as possible to discuss potential accommodations. Identification is the responsibility of the student.

In order to be admitted or retained in the program after admission, all applicants will possess:

Sufficient visual acuity, such as is needed in accurate preparation and administration of medications, and for the observation necessary for client assessment and nursing care.
Sufficient olfactory acuity to detect the presence of unusual odors, such as a wound infection.
Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from clients and members of the health care team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as stethoscopes, IV infusion pumps, fire alarms, and other monitors which emit audible signals.
Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills required in meeting the safety needs of a client. These include, but are not limited to, the manipulation of equipment, performance of CPR, assisting a client with daily hygiene, positioning and ambulating clients, and administration of medications.
Sufficient communication and language skills (speech, comprehension, reading, and writing) to communicate effectively with clients, families, and members of the health care team, as may be necessary in the client’s interest and safety.
Sufficient intellectual functioning and emotional stability to plan and implement care for clients.
Ability to manage personal health status.

Students who have a need for services due to disabilities, please contact the Dean of Students. Student will also need to notify the College of Nursing faculty in writing that a disability exists at the time of admission to the upper division nursing courses or if a disability occurs during enrollment in the nursing program. Documentation from a qualified professional will be requested to validate the student’s ability to provide safe nursing care. Continuation in the nursing program will be based on the student’s ability to provide safe nursing care to clients.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Faith Community Nursing Minor