About the Oklahoma Board of Nursing
Statement of Purpose
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing was established to safeguard the public health and welfare of the residents of Oklahoma by ensuring that any person who practices or offers to practice registered nursing, practical nursing, or advanced practice nursing in this state is competent to do so. The Board also ensures that any person who practices or offers to practice as an advanced unlicensed assistance person in this state is competent to do so. The Board accomplishes this purpose through the regulation of nursing licensure, unlicensed assistance certification, nursing practice, and nursing education. The purpose, as defined in the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act, supersedes the interests of any individual, the nursing profession, or any special interest group.
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
To be a national model as a regulatory agency in fulfilling the mission of protecting the public in a highly efficient and effective manner that identifies and reduces barriers to professional licensure and practice for nurses.
Mission
Public Protection Through Nursing Regulation
Values
Innovation
Communication
Collaborative
Integrity
Accountable
Growth Mindset
Board Approved: September 2024
General Functions of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing
1. Prescribe standards for educational programs preparing persons for licensure or certification as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, or Advanced Unlicensed Assistants. A) Provide for surveys of nursing education programs according to the Rules. B) Approve nursing education programs and advanced unlicensed assistive training programs that meet the prescribed standards. C) Deny or withdraw approval of educational programs for failure to meet or maintain prescribed standards.
2. Administer the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered and Practical Nurses in accordance with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc., contract.
3. Administer the advanced unlicensed assistant certification examination in accordance with the contractual agreement with the test service.
4. Provide initial licensure and renewal of licensure of duly qualified applicants, including: A) licensure by examination for new graduates, B) licensure by endorsement for nurses licensed in other states or educated in foreign countries, and C) reinstatement of lapsed license and return to active status applications.
5. Issue/renew license to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses meeting established requirements.
6. Issue/renew Prescriptive Authority Recognition to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses meeting approved standards.
7. Maintain records of all licensed nurses and advanced unlicensed assistive persons. Provide the records for public inspection under the provisions of the Open Records Act.
8. Investigate complaints of alleged violations of the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act and Rules of the Board.
9. Conduct hearings upon charges calling for disciplinary action.
10. Maintain a Peer Assistance Program for nurses whose competency may be compromised by substance use or dependency.
11. Promulgate rules to implement the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act.
12. Provide consultation, conduct conferences, forums, studies and research on nursing education and practice.
