Oklahoma is currently facing a significant shortage of nurses, a challenge that is impacting hospitals, clinics, and patient care across the state—especially in rural and underserved communities. As demand for healthcare services continues to grow, the need for well-trained, compassionate nursing professionals has never been greater.
In response, the Chickasaw Nation has developed a nursing externship program designed to help bridge this gap. The program provides nursing students with hands-on, real-world experience in clinical settings, allowing them to apply their education while working directly with patients and healthcare teams. This type of immersive training not only strengthens clinical skills, but also builds confidence and prepares students for a smooth transition into full-time nursing roles.
“The Chickasaw Nation’s nursing externship program gave me hands-on experience with patients, and it’s invaluable experience,” says nursing school senior Dalon Lehenbauer.
By investing in workforce development and practical training opportunities, the Chickasaw Nation is playing a vital role in strengthening Oklahoma’s healthcare system. Programs like this are helping ensure that more qualified nurses are ready to step into critical roles—ultimately improving access to care and health outcomes for communities across the state.