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Whether you’re looking for a travel nursing job or something more permanent, it’s important to learn as much as possible about potential employers before spending time filling out applications and attending interviews. Norman Regional Health System (NRHS) operates multiple hospitals and clinics in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, including Norman Regional Hospital, creating many rewarding career opportunities for nursing professionals. This guide provides an overview of the organization’s history and the benefits and perks nurses can expect as an employee of the NRHS.
Norman Regional Health System Fast Facts
Norman Regional Health System started as Norman Municipal Hospital (NMH) in 1946. During World War II, American Legion Memorial Hospital closed due to a shortage of personnel, making it difficult for residents to access care. Community leaders responded by opening NMH. In 1984, Norman Municipal Hospital became Norman Regional Hospital to reflect its service to a much broader community.
NRHS is slightly different from many healthcare employers in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas because a public trust operates it. Norman Regional Hospital Authority operates multiple healthcare facilities to serve the interests of the public. As a result, NRHS is “one of the last independent health systems in America,” meaning staff members have the freedom to deliver services according to the unique needs of area residents.
The health system has more than 3,000 employees, including over 350 staff physicians working at locations throughout the metro including Norman, Moore, Oklahoma City, Newcastle, Midwest City and Blanchard. However, NRHS has four primary facilities:
- Norman Regional Hospital in Norman is a 219-bed facility that offers a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, including cancer services, a bariatric surgery program, emergency services and general medical care.
- Norman Regional Moore in Moore has an emergency center and physician offices. Patients also come to Norman Regional Moore for physical therapy, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services.
- Norman Regional HealthPlex in Norman has 168 beds dedicated to women’s and children’s services, orthopedic surgery, spine surgery and cardiovascular care.
- Norman Regional Nine offers expanded access to emergency care to Norman’s growing population. The facility also offers many outpatient services, including physical rehabilitation, mammography, laboratory services and primary care.
In addition to its Oklahoma City metro hospitals in Norman and Moore, NRHS operates Waterview Laboratory Services, Norman Regional Wellness Clinic, Primary Care-South OKC, Primary Care-Waterview and Primary Care-West Moore. All five facilities are within Oklahoma City, making it more convenient for OKC metro residents to access care. These facilities also offer nurses and healthcare providers living in OKC shorter commutes than those within the metro but outside the city.
NRHS also runs OU Nursing at Norman Regional Health System, a satellite location for the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Mission, Vision and Values
NRHS expects all staff members to embrace its mission to serve as a community leader in health and wellness care. Norman Regional Health System’s vision is to become the provider of choice and improve the health and overall well-being of the local communities it serves.
NRHS uses the Five-by-Five Commitments to communicate its values to employees and ensure that staff members behave in accordance with those values. The five main values are integrity, communication, attitude, results and engagement, or “I.C.A.R.E.”. Each category has five associated behaviors that employees must display. For example, the integrity category requires staff members to advocate for the rights of their patients.
Awards and Honors
In 2022, U.S. News & World Report recognized Norman Regional Hospital as high-performing in five medical conditions: heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart attack. On its heart failure scorecard, the facility received an “excellent” rating for its track record of discharging a high number of patients directly to their homes instead of sending them to step-down facilities. Norman Regional Hospital received the high-performing designation in stroke and kidney failure due, in part, to its nurse staffing ratios, which U.S. News reviewers rated a 4 out of 5 in both categories.
Several organizations have recognized hospitals within the Norman Regional Health System for their high-quality care. For example, the Norman Regional HealthPlex facility was one of just 81 U.S. hospitals to receive the 2022 American College of Cardiology’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry, Chest Pain – MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award.
Norman Regional Hospital received five Best Hospitals Women’s Choice Awards in 2023. It earned honors for best Stroke Care, Heart Care and Emergency Care for the third consecutive year and received its first awards for best Bariatric Surgery and Orthopedics.
Diversity and Inclusion
NRHS prioritizes diversity and inclusion, ensuring that patients and staff feel comfortable in each of its facilities. In 2020, the health system formed the Inclusion and Diversity Council to serve as an advisory board and advocacy group. Council members communicate directly with system executives, physicians, nurses and other stakeholders to implement best practices in diversity and inclusion. The council has several key responsibilities, such as:
- Identifying opportunities to enhance diversity and make stakeholders feel more included
- Examining the system’s ability to meet the needs of a diverse patient population
- Seeking examples of unintentional exclusion and finding ways to correct them
- Educating staff members and volunteers on the importance of inclusive behavior and language
Nursing at Norman Regional Health System
NRHS has several programs that make it one of the top employers for Oklahoma City nurses. While many programs focus on recent graduates, the health system also provides career growth opportunities to support its existing nursing staff.
Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program
The Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program helps recent graduates improve their decision-making skills and become competent nurse leaders. NRHS was the first healthcare system in Oklahoma to offer this curriculum. Participants commit to attending monthly seminars for at least 1 year. These seminars provide valuable information on preventing burnout, improving your critical thinking skills and keeping patients safe. The program also includes an evidence-based practice project and mentoring opportunities.
The nurse residency program is available at Norman Regional Hospital and Norman Regional HealthPlex in the following clinical settings:
- Critical Care
- Med/Surg Nursing
- Antepartum and Postpartum Care
- Stepdown
- Operating Room
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Care
- Rehabilitation
Nurse Externship Program
NRHS’ nurse externship program provides valuable opportunities for nursing students as well as experienced nurses. Participants complete scheduled rotations in critical care, emergency services, telemetry, orthopedics and other clinical areas. The minimum commitment is 28 hours per month, but nursing students may pick up extra shifts as sitters or nursing assistants. Experienced nurses play an important role in the externship program, supervising participants and answering their questions about patient care.
Student Nurse Partner Program
The SNP Program is separate from the nurse externship program, as it’s reserved for students enrolled in their final semester of nursing school. Started in response to healthcare staffing shortages in Oklahoma, this unique program pays nursing students to complete the clinical hours they need to graduate. Participants are also required to work as nursing assistants in their assigned facilities, which helps ease the shortage of qualified healthcare workers. Nurses who completed the SNP Program before starting full-time jobs at NRHS have a retention rate that’s higher than the national average — 88% versus 72%.
Career Growth
Brittani McGill, Chief Nursing Officer of Norman Regional Health System, has previously stated on NRHS’ website that nurses are the “driving force” behind the system’s excellent patient care. NRHS recognizes the value of its nurses and provides many opportunities for career growth. For example, benefits-eligible nurses receive up to $3,000 in tuition reimbursement each year. If you’re interested in completing an RN-to-BSN program or obtaining a master’s degree, you may be able to use this benefit to advance your education at a reduced cost.
Travel Nursing Opportunities
If you prefer a short-term assignment versus living in Oklahoma and taking a permanent staff position, Norman Regional Health System has travel nursing opportunities. Based on Vivian Health’s employment data for the week ending December 31, 2022, NRHS had the greatest need for PCU and cardiac cath lab travel nurses in various medical facilities.
Employee Benefits and Perks
NRHS offers a wide range of employee benefits and perks. Standard benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, generous PTO, a 457(b) retirement plan and employer-paid life insurance. Benefits-eligible employees also have access to supplementary life insurance, catastrophic insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance and an employee assistance program.
The health system even offers a PTO bridging program for rehired employees. As part of this program, eligible staff who return to NRHS after a period of employment elsewhere can accrue PTO at their previous rate instead of starting over as if they’re new to the system.
Facility Amenities
NRHS offers free parking for all employees. Its four main facilities are easy to access from Oklahoma City, Moore, Norman and surrounding areas. If you live in OKC, you can be at Norman Regional Hospital in about 30 to 45 minutes. Norman Regional Moore is approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Downtown Oklahoma City, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to get from Oklahoma City to Norman Regional Nine and Norman Regional HealthPlex. The Oklahoma City metro area has public transit available for those wanting to skip the drive.
Norman Regional Hospital has several dining options if you’d rather buy meals than bring your own from home. The Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with a broad range of items, from soups and hot entrees to salads and desserts. The Café also has a 24-hour vending area, giving you access to snacks and drinks when scheduled to work overnight.
Each of the four primary Norman Regional hospital locations has The Daily Grind on its premises. This coffee shop offers an assortment of beverages, bagels, baked goods and bagged snacks. The Normal Regional HealthPlex also has its version of The Café.
Norman Regional Hospital is also conveniently located near several restaurants, giving you additional dining options if you don’t feel like cooking after a long day at work. Tarahumara’s Mexican Café is just 2 blocks away, while Van’s Pig Stands — a popular barbecue restaurant — is about five blocks from Norman Regional.
Contact Information
Norman Regional Hospital
901 N. Porter Ave.
Norman, OK 73071
(405) 307-1000
Norman Regional Health System Website
