Potential nursing students may be interested to learn that Oklahoma had the lowest cost of living in the U.S., according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center's figures for the 2nd quarter of 2011. In addition, the unemployment rate was the 5th lowest in the country: 5.5 percent as of July 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nurses have been in demand in the state for several years. A 2010 study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation found that the state ranked 11th lowest in the U.S. for the number of registered nurses, with only 753 RNs per 100,000 residents. A 2008 report by the state Department of Commerce declared that Oklahoma needed all types of nurses, especially RNs and those willing to work in rural areas.

Careers for grads of online nursing schools in Oklahoma

Those interested in becoming RNs, licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses can seek job opportunities in Oklahoma. Not only is health care a major industry in the state, but health care groups like the Mercy Health System of Oklahoma or Continuous Care Centers are among the state's top employers. The BLS reported that Oklahoma RNs earned a mean annual salary of $54,340 as of May 2010, while LPNs and LVNs made $33,900; the mean yearly wage for all occupations in the state was $36,940.

Oklahoma nursing schools, online and on-campus

While various types of nursing programs can provide the training necessary to become an RN, LPN or LVN, online nursing schools in Oklahoma improve access to nursing education even in rural and remote areas while expanding faculty reach. It's important to note, however, that the hands-on nature of the profession often requires students to complete some lab-based or clinical coursework on campus or via a participating local teaching hospital or medical center. One should consider learning style and time commitments before choosing a nursing program.