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University of Oklahoma Medical Center (OUMC) in Oklahoma City, OK, is the flagship hospital of OU Health. OUMC ranks No. 16 among Oklahoma’s top employers by number of employees, per the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
OUMC offers many opportunities for nurses and other healthcare professionals looking for a great workplace. Keep reading to learn more about the University of Oklahoma Medical Center to see if it could be the right fit for you.
The History of OU Health
OU Health has a long and proud history of serving the Oklahoma community dating back over a century. OU Health traces its roots back to the founding of the University of Oklahoma School of Pharmacy in 1899, the College of Medicine in 1910 and the School of Nursing in 1911.
OU Health’s facilities have a similarly rich history. In 1919, the University of Oklahoma built the original University Hospital for use as a training facility for University of Oklahoma medical, pharmacy and nursing students. Built in 1928, Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma, initially known as Oklahoma Children’s Memorial Hospital, was the second state-owned hospital managed by Oklahoma University.
Today, OU Health provides world-class care to patients from all over the state with its 23 clinics and three hospitals:
- Oklahoma University Medical Center
- Oklahoma Children’s Hospital
- Edmond Medical Center
University of Oklahoma Medical Center Campus
Located in the Medical Community district near downtown Oklahoma City, the University of Oklahoma Medical Center’s mission is “leading healthcare in patient care, education and research.” OUMC is a teaching hospital and one of the primary clinical locations for the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. It’s also the only comprehensive academic hospital and Level I adult trauma center in Oklahoma.
University of Oklahoma Medical Center has 773 staffed beds and provides care for nearly 32,000 patients annually. The medical center recently built a new tower, adding 144 new beds and 32 new operating rooms. OUMC is the largest hospital in Oklahoma City and the second largest in Oklahoma based on the number of beds, but the largest based on gross patient revenue.
OUMC provides patients with a wide range of services, including cancer care, cardiology, neurology and orthopedics. It also shares a campus with Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, the only Level I pediatric trauma center in the state.
Working and Growing with OUMC
University of Oklahoma Medical Center employs about 5,200 people, making it one of the largest employers in Oklahoma. As a comprehensive teaching hospital, stroke center and Level I trauma center, OUMC is constantly growing and evolving to meet the needs of its patients.
OUMC has a wide range of specialties, including:
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Bariatric Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Oncology/Hematology
- Orthopedics
- Palliative Care
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Plastic Surgery
- Trauma
OU Health is committed to providing opportunities for its employees to grow and develop in their careers. The health system offers a wide variety of continuing education opportunities for staff, including its nursing degree accelerator program. This competitive program aims to help nurses complete higher nursing education and pays for most of the costs associated with pursuing a degree.
OU Health also offers flexible work programs, including the Travel at Home program and weekend positions. In the Travel at Home program, nurses get paid a higher hourly rate in exchange for waiving benefits. The weekend program allows nurses to work 24 hours over two shifts every weekend and get paid for 36 hours. These programs provide nurses scheduling and pay options that you may not find elsewhere.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at OU Health
OU Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for patients, students and staff. It operates a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council and offers numerous education programs, including topics such as:
- The basics of diversity, equity and inclusion
- Managing bias
- Gender identity
- LGBTQ+ sensitivity
- Cultural competence
OU Health also encourages participation in the OKC Pride Parade, celebrating heritage holidays and participating in community service programs. Additionally, the OU College of Medicine has a local outreach program that works to combat the lack of diversity in medical schools.
Patient Care: The OU Health Difference
OU Health’s top-ranked oncology program and Children’s Hospital reflect their commitment to providing excellent patient care. In 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranked OU Health’s oncology program in the top 50 in the nation. In 2022, it ranked Oklahoma Children’s Hospital No. 43 nationwide for Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery and No. 49 for Pediatric Gastroenterology and GI Surgery.
Safety and Security at OUMC
The University of Oklahoma Medical Center is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its patients, staff, students and visitors. The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center (OUHSC) Police Department manages security at OUMC. The department implements many initiatives and plans to promote safety, including:
- Crime prevention services
- Security assessments
- Security badge and alarm monitoring
- Active shooter training
- Coffee with the Chief
- Storm ready program
- Crisis ready campus
- Severe weather refuge plan
OUHSC Police Department maintains a daily incident log to promote transparency when incidents occur. This record is accessible to the public for anyone interested in learning more about safety and security on campus.
Benefits of Working for OU Health and OUMC
OU Health is the most extensive academic healthcare system in Oklahoma, so there are plenty of opportunities for advancement and cross-training in other specialties. With a rich nursing development program and specialty areas unique to Oklahoma, OU Health is an excellent place to build a career in nursing.
In 2021 OH Health invested $50 million to provide its staff with new benefits, including paid parental leave, $20,000 in fertility services per employee, new data-driven scheduling and other initiatives focused on building a better work-life balance.
Most recently, in February 2022, the OH Health system announced an additional $25 million investment to provide pay increases for its frontline nurses and nurse supervisors. This move gave OU Health the distinction of being the region’s leader in nursing compensation.
Overall, OU Health’s benefits package is very competitive, including:
- PPO and Health Savings Account health insurance plans
- Generous retirement benefits, matching up to 9% of base pay
- Five weeks of paid time off in the first year
- Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
- Relocation assistance
- Up to 12 weeks of paid maternity and paternity leave
Working, Living and Playing in Oklahoma City
OUMC is located in the state capital, making it a great place to work if you’re looking for a vibrant, thriving metropolis. Oklahoma City is the cultural and economic center of Oklahoma. With a population of over 680,000, per the U.S. Census Bureau, it’s the state’s largest city. The cost of living is nearly 15% lower compared to the rest of the U.S., and there are plenty of things to do, whether you’re into the arts, outdoors or nightlife.
With its central location near downtown Oklahoma City, OUMC offers convenient access to nearby restaurants, apartments and parks. Some famous attractions in Oklahoma City include:
- The Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum
- The Myriad Botanical Gardens
- Bricktown Entertainment District
- The Oklahoma City Zoo
- The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
You’ll find historical sites near the hospital campus like the Harn Homestead and Saint Joseph’s Cathedral. Popular restaurants and nightlife in the area include Social Capital, Garage Burgers and Bricktown Brewery.
For sports fans, OKC is home to the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder as well as the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the Triple-A affiliate of the LA Dodgers. You can also find soccer, rugby and softball teams in the area, and the city hosts the annual NCAA Women’s College World Series.
If you’re looking for convenient ways to get around OKC, the city has a public transit system that includes fixed-route buses, the OKC Streetcar, river ferry transit and a bike share service. If you’d rather drive yourself, Oklahoma City has the third-shortest commute time among the 52 largest cities nationwide. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, one-way commutes in OKC average just over 21 minutes.
Whether you’re looking for an urban or suburban lifestyle, OUMC and Oklahoma City offer a great place to work, live and play.
OUMC: A Top Choice for Nurses in Oklahoma City
The University of Oklahoma Medical Center is a fantastic choice for nurses looking for a top-notch employer committed to career growth, serving the community and excellence in patient care. The hospital has a robust nursing development program and unique opportunities that nurses won’t find anywhere else in Oklahoma.
Additionally, Oklahoma City offers an affordable cost of living and plenty of fun things to do in your free time. If you’re looking for an employer to help you grow in your career while providing an outstanding work/life balance, OUMC might be the perfect place for you. Learn more about exciting job opportunities at OU Medical Center and other great OKC facilities by exploring Vivian’s Oklahoma City page.
