OACNS - Oklahoma Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

10/24/2025

🏆 Awards Season is HERE!

Each year, NACNS celebrates the individuals and affiliates who elevate the CNS role through exceptional leadership, innovation, research, education, and service.

✨ 13 awards are being offered this year — including the NEW Innovator of the Year Award! This award honors an NACNS member for outstanding achievement as a CNS Preceptor who demonstrates exceptional commitment to teaching, coaching, and mentoring CNS students and new CNSs to achieve excellence across the nurse, patient, and organizational spheres.

🗓️ Nomination period: October 23 – November 10, 2025
🙌 Nominate yourself or a colleague who’s making an impact in the CNS community!

🔗 Get full details, eligibility, and nomination forms here: https://brnw.ch/21wWSZV

10/22/2025

Happy National DNP Week!
October 19 – 25

This week, we proudly celebrate our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) colleagues—visionary nurse leaders who transform evidence into action, elevate clinical outcomes, and advance the future of healthcare across Oklahoma and beyond.

At OACNS, we honor the DNPs who lead with innovation, compassion, and courage—bridging the gap between research and real-world impact. Your dedication to excellence and your commitment to improving patient care inspire us all.

✨ Thank you for being change agents, mentors, and advocates for quality and equity in nursing practice.

10/15/2025

American Nurses Association Celebrates Inclusion of Nurse Staffing in Joint Commission’s National Performance Goals. Read the full statement: 🔗 https://ow.ly/PhBI50XaPZI

10/15/2025

Exciting news for NACNS members! 📣 CNSI is offering travel grants for podium or poster presentations that advocate for the Clinical Nurse Specialist role and highlight innovations and outcomes among nurse leaders.

If you’ve presented in collaboration with nurse leaders/executives or at conferences primarily attended by non-CNS nurse leaders (e.g., AONL) in the last 6 months, this is for you! For more information and the application, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wWCry

10/11/2025

Congratulations to OACNS President Brandy Burgess and OU NICU CNS Susan Bedwell!

10/08/2025

🚨 Important Update for Oklahoma APRNs! 🚨

We’ve received new information from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) and Mike Starchman, RN, CPA, Deputy Executive Director, regarding House Bill 2298. Here’s what you need to know 👇

🗓️ Go-Live Date:
The official date to submit independent practice applications will be announced soon by OBN. Stay tuned!

📝 New Application Required:
If you’re transitioning from supervised to independent practice, you’ll need to submit a new application.

🎓 Education Requirements (No Changes):
You must complete either:
• 45 “Category B” contact hours OR
• 3 academic credit hours in pharmacotherapeutic management
These must be completed within 3 years prior to your application.

⚙️ Next Steps:
OBN is awaiting the Governor’s approval of emergency rules before implementation begins.
✅ Review the FAQ and supporting documents here https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:*2F*2Foklahoma.gov*2Fcontent*2Fdam*2Fok*2Fen*2Fnursing*2Fdocuments*2Fhb2298*2520faq.pdf/1/01010199c42cf5f1-56e98a6f-3834-424e-b3ee-c309b1696131-000000/ZLrO8uygq96nxB0Bmjc11RpXCmrZXB7TTDz_0s3YBfE=426__;JSUlJSUlJSUlJQ!!GNU8KkXDZlD12Q!9S0ETwHrNTTwvzUPAdZjG4RBuG_MYVN1E1JmqCIUeVl6L9EQN68KF4ang_WMuiW8dCj6u8fEQmib7-pYyJ4HRzd-l9JQt6pJ$

📩 Questions? Reach out — we’re here to help!

Let’s continue supporting and advancing APRN practice in Oklahoma! 💪🏽

10/04/2025

OU Health is hosting the 2025 Palliative Care Summit with featured speakers Dr. Christina Puchalski and Dr. Phyllis Whitehead!
Date: October 24th, 2025
Time: 9am - 4pm
Location: Rainbolt Auditorium, Samis Education Center, OU Children’s Hospital

Register at the link below!
https://ouhsc.cloud-cme.com/course/listing?p=1000

09/24/2025

If you are attending the ONA Conference, come see us at the OACNS booth!

09/19/2025

We are incredibly proud of OACNS board members, Erica Melick and Stacie Hanes for their well deserved recognition as a Great 100 Nurses Foundation Great 100 Nurse of Oklahoma! Join us in congratulating these incredible CNSs and their contributions to improving the health of Oklahomans and mentoring future nurses and providers!

09/19/2025

09/18/2025

PCNA Event 10/8/2025