Everspring and Oklahoma City University Partner to Expand Online Nursing Education in Response to Nursing Shortage

CHICAGO and OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Everspring, a leading provider of higher education technology solutions and services, announces a new partnership with Oklahoma City University's (OCU) Kramer School of Nursing. Everspring will support OCU with marketing, admissions and student retention services for its online RN-to-BSN program and online MSN program. This partnership will support OCU in growing enrollments by providing high-quality, flexible online degrees for nurses seeking to advance their careers in the face of a nursing shortage in Oklahoma and nationwide.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of job growth for registered nurses from 2020 to 2030 is projected at 9%, with approximately 194,500 job openings per year, on average, over the course of the decade.^[1] This projected growth is due to several factors, including an aging U.S. population that requires more healthcare, an aging nursing population that is reaching retirement age, and high turnover and burnout in the nursing profession.^[2] Though the nursing shortage was already underway before the pandemic hit, Covid-19 has strained the nursing workforce even more,^[3] and the nursing shortage in Oklahoma is especially acute.^[4]

"In the midst of the nursing shortage in Oklahoma and beyond, nursing education has never been more important," Oklahoma City University President Kenneth Evans said. "In order to advance existing nurses in their careers and bring new nurses into the profession, it is vital that nursing schools provide flexible, accessible programs with the support students need to complete their programs successfully."

OCU's online nursing programs offer flexible options for nurses to pursue additional training to earn more and advance in their field. The programs include an RN to BSN degree that allows current registered nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing in one year, an MSN degree for nurses with a bachelor's degree who want to earn a Master of Science in nursing, and an RN to MSN pathway for registered nurses who want to pursue a Master of Science in nursing. Students can complete their coursework entirely online, or they can opt to take courses in-person. The programs include clinical hours, which students must perform in-person, but can do so at any approved location in the United States.

"Everspring is honored to partner with OCU to help address the critical need for nursing education," said Beth Hollenberg, president and co-founder of Everspring. "Equipping nurses with educational programs that are engaging and fit within their already demanding schedules can be a game-changer in helping them progress in their careers."

1.  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022, February 9). Occupational Outlook Handbook. Registered Nurses. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6
2. Haddad LM, Annamaraju P, Toney-Butler TJ. (2021, December 15). Nursing Shortage. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/
3.  Turale S, Nantsupawat A. Clinician mental health, nursing shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic: Crises within crises. Int Nurse Rev. 2021 Mar;68(1):12-14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33891772/
4. Nurse Journal. (2021, November 12). The U.S. Nursing Shortage: A State-by-State Breakdown. https://nursejournal.org/articles/the-us-nursing-shortage-state-by-state-breakdown/

About Oklahoma City University
Founded in 1904, Oklahoma City University is a private, independent, coeducational institution with long-standing ties to the United Methodist Church. The institution offers a diverse, inclusive culture committed to producing graduates who think critically and communicate effectively. With an enrollment of more than 2,400 students, OCU provides a liberal arts education that prepares students for a life of leadership and service. For more information, visit okcu.edu.

About Everspring
Everspring is a leading provider of education technology and services solutions for higher education. Our advanced technology, proven marketing approach, and robust faculty support and instructional design services deliver outstanding outcomes for our university partners, powering their success online. Everspring offers a range of full-service turnkey solutions, as well as standalone fee-for-service offerings, and innovative self-service products that enable universities to establish themselves as leaders in the digital delivery of higher education. Based in Chicago, Everspring serves a growing number of colleges and universities, nationwide.
Visit www.everspringpartners.com for more information. Don't just go digital. BE DIGITAL. ™

SOURCE Everspring