Western Oklahoma State College

Welcome, Future Students! 

Western Nursing is here for you to begin your nursing journey!

• HESI Admission Testing, December 2, 2024 to March 11, 2025. For information on HESI testing, please send an email to nursing@wosc.edu.
• Please click here for the Western Nursing 2025 Application. 
• DUE DATE for the application and all associated paperwork:  March 14, 2025.

ONLY FOR LPN STUDENTS

Advanced Standing Students, i.e. licensed practical/vocational nurses:  UPDATE!

• On February 28, 2024, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the guidelines for public two-year colleges to award student credit for prior learning in practical nursing programs at Oklahoma technology centers. 
• Because of the memorandum, LPNs who have received the LPN certification through an Oklahoma technology center aligned with that memorandum and who are entering the WOSC nursing program will receive 18 hours of nursing credit hours (for NURS 1119 and NURS 1129) through prior learning assessments.
• These students must still meet all other admission requirements that general students are required to meet. 
• For LPNs who have received LPN certification through a technology center outside of the state of Oklahoma, please contact the WOSC Department of Nursing at (580) 477-7829.
• For LPNs who have not received any certification through a technology center, advance standing for NURS 1119 will be granted because of the LPN license.  To gain advanced standing for NURS 1129, HESI LPN-to-RN mobility testing will be required.  Please call the nursing office.  

If you are interested in applying for Western's nursing program for next year, please do the following:

• Meet with a nursing program advisor by visiting the WOSC Nursing Faculty Page and make an appointment. 
• Ensure that you have the necessary pre-requisite courses by August 2025.  This includes:
  • Functions and Modeling or College Algebra
  • General Chemistry or Introduction to Chemistry
  • Anatomy and Physiology (Physiology can be taken in the first semester of nursing if you are a general student), or Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Anatomy and Physiology 2 (A&P 2 can be taken in the first semester of nursing if you are a general student).  Please note that you may be required to take Biology first before taking Anatomy at WOSC.  Please check with your advisor or with Admissions. 
• You must take co-requisite courses before entering the nursing program. This includes:
  • English 1 and English 2
  • General Psychology or Introduction to Psychology
  • American Government
  • American History
• Prepare for HESI Admission Testing.  This will be offered in December 2024 and continue through March 11, 2025.  You will be tested in Reading, Math, Vocabulary, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Critical Thinking.  You must make a minimum score in Reading of 82 and a minimum score in Math of 74.  
• A grade of "C" or better is required for all required courses.  A cumulative GPA of 2.25 is also required.
• Please review the Application Packet for all the details of the admission process.  

Traditional track:  The following campuses will be accepting students for the nursing program that will start FALL 2025:

• Altus
• Elk City
• Lawton
• Clinical rotations in Altus, Elk City, Lawton, or Duncan.

LPN-to-RN track:  Students applying for this track may choose the following:

• Online LPN-to-RN program with clinical rotations in Altus, Elk City, Lawton, or Duncan.
• Traditional track:  Start Nursing 2229 in Fall 2024 with face-to-face classes at Altus, Lawton or Elk City campuses.  (Clinical rotations in Altus, Elk City, Lawton, or Duncan). 

Testing for Entrance into Nursing for 2025:

Begin testing in December 2024!  

All students: For the HESI A2 (Admission Exam), please send an email to

nursing@wosc.edu.  

 Request instructions for the exam that you wish to take and if you are taking it for the first or second time.  

The WOSC Nursing Program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation. Upon graduation, students are qualified to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for RN).

For fall start, LPN-to-RN program options include:

• Online LPN-to-RN Program- Nursing courses will be taught online in an asynchronous format for this option. Clinical rotations will be conducted one day each week as assigned at one of the clinical sites utilized by Western. The student must be able to attend clinical rotations as assigned. The student must also be able to attend orientations to clinical sites before the rotations begin. Students must take the LPN-to-RN transition course in the Summer. This is a four-week course that is a hybrid course, meaning most coursework will be completed online but will require the student to attend for three days, with the schedule to be announced.  
• Face-to-face options:  The student may select the face-to-face option at the Lawton campus or the Elk City campus if space is available.  Class times are Monday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon each week.  Clinical rotations will be conducted one day each week as assigned at one of the clinical sites utilized by Western.  The student must be able to attend clinical rotations as assigned. The student must also be able to attend orientations to clinical sites before the rotations begin. Students must take the LPN-to-RN transition course in the Summer.  This is a four-week course that is a hybrid course, meaning most coursework will be completed online but will require the student to attend for three days, with the schedule to be announced.  

For spring start, LPN-to-RN options are available:

• Face-to-face option: The student who does not wish to take the HESI LPN-to-RN Mobility Exam or who does not meet the minimum scores on that exam can opt to begin Nursing II (Pediatrics and Maternal/Newborn Nursing) in January 2024.  This option will be available on the Altus, Elk City, and Lawton campuses if space is available. Class times are Monday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon each week.  Clinical rotations will be conducted one day each week as assigned at one of the clinical sites utilized by Western.  The student must be able to attend clinical rotations as assigned. Students must take the LPN-to-RN transition course in the Fall.  This is a four-week course that is a hybrid course, meaning most coursework will be completed online but will require the student to attend for three days, with the schedule to be announced. 

Oklahoma Board of Nursing and Licensure Information 

The Western Oklahoma State College Nursing Program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN).** 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 including fingerprinting, 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 of their visa status, for one year.  Applicants who are qualified aliens must present to the Board office, in person, valid documentary evidence of:

1. A valid, unexpired immigrant or nonimmigrant visa status for admission into the United States;
2. A pending or approved application for asylum in the United States;
3. Admission into the United States in refugee status;
4. A pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
5. Approved deferred action status or
6. 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.  Potential applicants to state-approved education programs with a criminal history may obtain a determination of eligibility for licensure or certification from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing for a fee. 

The Petition for Determination of Eligibility for Licensure or Certification form can be accessed at:  https://oklahoma.gov/nursing/criminal-history.html

The Oklahoma Board of Nursing
Mailing address: P.O. Box 52926
Oklahoma City, OK 73152

Physical address:
2501 N. Lincoln Blvd., Ste. 207
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 962-1800

General Admission Requirements for General Students and Transfer Students

For general entry to the program for all students see the general information packet and schedule an appointment to speak with your faculty advisor.

Pre-Admission Nursing Examination Testing 

• HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam

Who is required to take this exam?  It is required for all applicants- General and Advanced Standing Entry for LPN students.

What will be on the exam? What are the minimum scores?  The HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam tests applicants in six areas:

• Reading
  • The applicant must achieve a minimum score of 82 or higher
• Math
  • The applicant must achieve a minimum score of 74 or higher
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Biology
• Vocabulary
• Critical Thinking 

Though there is no minimum required scoring for the Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, and Vocabulary sections of the exams, a minimum score of 65 or better is preferred as a minimum passing score, and entry into the program is highly competitive and is based on a point-based system in which applicants acquire some of their points from the admission examination.

A minimum score of 760 or better is highly desirable on the critical thinking portion of the exam, however, there is no minimum require scoring for this section.

How does one prepare for the HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam?  Prepare for the HESI Admission Test!  

• You can purchase a preparation book for the HESI Admission (A2) Exam through Elsevier's website or other academic/book/purchase websites. 

How often can one take the exam? You can take the exam two times during the application process.  If you take the exam and you wish to take it a second time, you must wait at least three weeks between the two exams.  

How does one take the HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam?  Western utilizes Proctor U to administer the exams. Please contact Western's nursing department at nursing@wosc.edu  to request instructions for taking the exam.

When can one take the exam?  The HESI Admission Exam can be taken in late fall and early spring.  Exams taken after March 15, 2024 will not be taken into consideration unless prior arrangements are made with the Director of Nursing Education. 

How much does the HESI A2 with Critical Thinking Nursing Admission Exam cost?  The cost of each exam is $99 (cost subject to change).  Instructions for paying for the exam will be included in the instructions you receive upon request from the email listed above. 

Criminal Background Checks

Once accepted by the WOSC Nursing Department, all students will be required to submit information in order for a criminal background check to be completed. If an applicant admitted to the nursing program possesses any one of the following: a felony conviction, arrest, pending charges, judicially declared incompetence or disciplinary action should be aware this might affect eligibility for registered nurse licensure. Various clinical agencies also have restrictions regarding individuals with a criminal record. Criminal background information is reviewed, and decisions are made based on the clinical agency’s policies and guidelines.

Students Seeking Licensure Outside of the State of Oklahoma

For any students seeking licensure outside the state of Oklahoma, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure he/she meet all requirements for licensure in the state in which they reside. Contact information for all nursing licensing boards can be found at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website at https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm.

How to Apply for Admission into the Nursing Program

Schedule an appointment with one of the faculty advisors at one of the three campuses- Altus, Elk City, or Lawton. Or Click on the Admission page for more information.

Applicants will be ranked to determine acceptance into the nursing program based on completion of the application process, the student's Cumulative GPA on required general education and nursing support courses, and a pre-admission RN examination with designated decision scores. Please refer to the Admission Selection Score Sheet for additional information.

General Admission Requirements for General and Transfer Students:

• Minimum cumulative GPA must be 2.25 or higher at time of application. 
• Applied and accepted to Western Oklahoma State College.
• Successfully completed Nursing Admission Exam with a minimum score of 82 in Reading and 74 in Math, all other areas recommend a minimum score 65 or better. 
• Completion of pre-requisite courses with a minimum of a "C" or better in each course.
  • Science courses must be completed within the last 10 years

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Transfer credits from an ACEN or a CNEA accredited nursing school will be considered on an individual basis. There will be no more than one academic year between the successful completion of the last nursing course for transfer into the WOSC Nursing Program. Please review the current Transfer Policy and Procedure for additional information.

Students in good standing in a current nursing program may apply for transfer credit entry into the nursing program in the fall semester for NURS 2219, nursing III, and/or the spring semester into NURS 1129, nursing II.  Click HERE for application deadlines.

Please review the Policy & Procedure for Nursing Students seeking transfer credit.  Applicants interested in transferring to the WOSC nursing program, please contact the Director of Nursing Education, Mrs. Diane Fairchild, via email at nursing@wosc.edu for further information and guidance on transfer needs. Additional testing may be required for transferring students. 

International Students 

Applicants classified as an international student using an F-1 Student Visa may attend at one of Western’s three campuses. However, all initial processing & paperwork must be completed with the Office of Registrar at the Altus campus. 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. For more information regarding this matter, applicants can contact the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.

All applicants to the program for whom English is a second language must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test.

Contact Us

WOSC pre-nursing students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with their nursing faculty advisor at least once a semester. Appointments can be made by calling any of our campuses or emailing one of the advisors closest to your hometown:

All Campus Nursing Fax# - 1-580-477-7862