INTEGRIS Health Partners With Oklahoma Christian University For Nursing Program

According to INTEGRIS Health officials, there was a nursing shortage in Oklahoma long before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Oklahoma ranks 46th in nurses per capita across the country,” INTEGRIS Health chief nurse executive Kerri Bayer said. “This is something that didn’t happen because of the pandemic but the pandemic highlighted how critical and how important our nurses are in providing patient care.”

Bayer said this has led to nurses being overworked. Many of them are even more burnt out after working through the pandemic.

“There is that added concern, as we are starting to get out of the fog of war, to be honest with you of what that is going to look like for the nursing work force,” Bayer said.

INTEGRIS Health is now joining forces with universities for “The Certified Nurse Assistant to Registered Nurse Program.”

The pilot phase, at Oklahoma Christian University, employs students with INTEGRIS Health and offers them school credit while also earning a paycheck.

“We know that many of our students have to work as well so I think it provides a really strong balance so that you can work while getting your degree,” Bayer said.

Students will also attend online classes at Oklahoma Christian University.

“We want to make it as easy for you to get your foot in the door, and many people just don’t know how to start, so we want to make that as easy as possible,” Bayer said.

Those interested in applying for the program need to apply on the INTEGRIS Health website and the Oklahoma Christian University website.