OSU nursing program graduates addressing health care shortages

OSU nursing program graduates addressing health care shortages

Friday, September 19, 2025

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | [email protected]

Medical facilities throughout Oklahoma are getting a much-needed shot in the arm.

Oklahoma State University's four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is making great strides toward closing the gap in the state and national shortage of nursing professionals, producing a new generation of highly qualified nurses equipped to lead with confidence.

Housed within the College of Education and Human Sciences, the BSN program is the culmination of years of dedication and collaboration. From its early planning stages to celebrating the first graduating class, this initiative continues to grow with purpose and momentum.

Now in its third year, the program welcomes 105 aspiring nurses to the Stillwater campus for 2025-26. Since its inception in the fall of 2023, the program has accepted nearly 250 students.

Director of nursing Dr. Alana Cluck says it has been incredibly rewarding to lead and witness the transformation of a vision into a thriving reality.

"I am immensely proud that the BSN program at OSU is built on a strong foundation of academic excellence, a supportive and compassionate learning environment, and a commitment to high expectations," Cluck said.

"We strive to empower our students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in today's health care landscape. Our nursing faculty represents a cohesive, highly experienced, compassionate and exceptionally knowledgeable team of nurse educators whose collective expertise and dedication to student success set them apart."

Substantial growth has been found in enrollment capacity, faculty size and facilities.

Five new faculty members have joined the team for the 2025-26 academic year.

Leading Edge Lab

OSU nursing students can now access a state-of-the-art simulation lab that mirrors real-world clinical environments.

This high-fidelity, hands-on training space allows students to build confidence, sharpen clinical judgment, and respond to complex health care scenarios long before they step into a hospital or clinic.

The Mary K. Chapman Nursing Simulation Laboratory was dedicated in April 2025 thanks to a $1.5 million gift from the H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Foundation in support of the initiative.

Thanks to the generous support of the Chapman Foundation, the Pedigo family and the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, among other donors through the OSU Foundation, students have the opportunity to work in a safe environment to hone their nursing skills with individual attention from their faculty.

Assistant professor Dr. Chris Fisher emphasizes that the training facility is essential to build confidence and competence in new nurses.

"This practice allows them to think and act in an environment that allows for mistakes and real-time adjustments to thoughts and actions, which is the cornerstone for clinical judgement," Fisher said. "Practicing this in the simulation center before having to do it with humans who are in need of specialized care is what sets our students apart when they are working with practicing nurses during their hands-on clinical time."

Quality Nursing

Backed by rigorous courses, hands-on clinicals and statewide support, program graduates are ready to make an impact from day one.

OSU BSN students have the unique experience of being embedded in campus life, like any other student.

Dr. Diane Cannon, assistant professor of nursing, believes this illustrates the well-rounded nature of the program.

"Yes, they're training to become highly competent, compassionate nurses in an intensive academic program. But they're also getting the full OSU experience - something many nursing students in other programs simply don't have," Cannon said.

"Our students are part of a vibrant, traditional college campus. They cheer on the Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium, join Greek life, attend concerts and cultural events, and make lifelong friendships in student organizations. They study hard but feel connected to a larger community that celebrates who they are and who they're becoming."

Just as important, they're surrounded by top-tier campus resources - from the LASSO Center and the Reboot Center, to mental health support, tutoring, academic coaching and career services. These wraparound supports ensure they don't just survive nursing school, they
thrive.

"It's not just about becoming a nurse," Cannon said. "It's about growing into a well-rounded, resilient and connected leader. That's the Cowboy way - and it's a difference you can feel."

Inaugural Graduates

The 20 degree candidates from the first class of BSN students were recognized for their achievements in May 2025 during the inaugural pinning ceremony, marking a historic milestone.

Nurse pinning ceremonies symbolize seasoned nurses welcoming new nurses into the profession. The pin is a symbol worn by nurses to indicate to the public that they have completed the rigorous training required and expected of professional nurses. The inaugural ceremony was a true celebration of the hard work of both the students and the faculty.

And it honored trailblazing students and the official launch of a nursing program rooted in excellence, compassion and innovation. With each pin placed, the graduates joined a global legacy of nurses who heal, lead and advocate.

Each graduate has been hired in nursing positions, and some are continuing their education in graduate school. Most importantly, they are passing the national licensing exam.

This first class has set the tone for generations to come - and they've made OSU history.

Investing in the Future

Tremendous early support by donors and the establishment of endowed scholarships have provided access and support for students who want to pursue a nursing degree. The availability of scholarships helps alleviate financial barriers they may have otherwise faced.

For supporters Chelsea (a nurse practitioner) and Blake Bixler, that was the driving force in establishing an endowed scholarship fund specifically for students from the rural area of northwest Oklahoma - even more so for those with a passion for returning to serve in their own communities.

From rural communities themselves, they have witnessed how critical access to quality health care is.

"Nursing school is demanding, both academically and financially. For many students from rural areas, even the dream of becoming a nurse can feel out of reach because of cost. We hope these scholarships ease that burden so students can focus on their education rather than how they'll afford it," the Bixlers said.

Scholarships send a message to students, saying, "We believe in you" - that there are individuals who want to invest in their success.

"That kind of encouragement can be just as powerful as the dollars themselves, especially for first-generation students or those from underserved areas," the Bixlers added.

OSU alumnus Patrick Wyers was compelled to establish an endowed scholarship in the name of his late wife, Joyce, who served on the nursing faculty at the University of Texas-Austin for 27 years.

Echoing the Bixlers' sentiment, Wyers hopes to alleviate the stress of trying to fund a college education.

"I hope scholarships in nursing will greatly help young women and men to fully devote their time to their studies, allowing them to be able to earn a good living, and give excellent care to their future patients," he said.

For more information about the nursing programs offered at OSU, visit nursing.okstate.edu. If you'd like to learn how to support nursing through the OSU Foundation, contact senior director of development Rachel Tribble at [email protected].

Photos by: Kelly Kerr and Ellie Piper

Story by: Kirsi McDowell | STATE Magazine