Tri County Tech Launches New Program to Enhance Healthcare Training and Strengthen Oklahoma’s Workforce
Bartlesville, OK — Tri County Tech has announced the launch of its new Practical Nursing Hybrid program, an innovative, flexible training model designed to help working adults advance their careers while meeting Oklahoma’s critical need for skilled healthcare professionals. Applications are now open for the February cohort and are due by January 5, 2026.
Designed for students who are balancing work, family, and personal commitments, the hybrid program combines flexible online learning with clinical practice, instructor-guided skills labs, and on-campus checkoffs. Students may complete the program in 12 or 18 months, progressing at a pace that aligns with their individual goals and schedules.
“We are excited to launch Tri County Tech’s new Practical Nursing Hybrid program—an innovative model that blends the flexibility of online coursework with the hands-on learning and mentorship our students need to thrive in healthcare,” states Jeannette Slater, Instructional Director at Tri County Tech. “This program is designed with working adults in mind, providing them with the opportunity to balance their responsibilities while advancing toward a rewarding nursing career. We’re proud to expand access to nursing education in a way that’s flexible, rigorous, and deeply student-centered.”
While the majority of learning occurs online, students participate in a weekly on-campus session to ensure ongoing support, connection, and accountability. Additional in-person time is required for clinical skill development, lab instruction, and check-offs. Exams and skill validations are self-scheduled, allowing students to accelerate through the curriculum and graduate as soon as they meet the required competencies.
Small class sizes and individualized guidance ensure every student receives one-on-one support from faculty, including mentorship, clinical coaching, and academic assistance. To promote equitable access, Tri County Tech provides Chromebooks and internet hotspots to students who do not have the necessary technology at home.
“We are thrilled to offer a hybrid option for Practical Nursing,” states Dr. Tammie Strobel, Superintendent & CEO at Tri County Tech. “With the right support and tools, students can chase their goals with confidence. Every success they achieve strengthens their future, and our community as a whole.”
Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The launch of this program represents another step in Tri County Tech’s commitment to expanding high-quality healthcare training options across Washington, Nowata, and Osage counties and addressing the growing workforce needs in Oklahoma.
Statewide reporting highlights a growing shortage of certified nursing assistants and nurses across Oklahoma – a challenge CareerTech programs are actively addressing through high-quality, accessible training. Oklahoma CareerTech trained more than 1,400 healthcare students last year alone, underscoring the statewide demand Tri County Tech’s new hybrid Practical Nursing program is designed to meet. As Oklahoma CareerTech Director Brent Haken shared, the CareerTech system builds programs based on workforce needs, making healthcare a top statewide priority — a mission Tri County Tech is continuing with its new hybrid LPN pathway.
About Tri County Tech
We’re one of Oklahoma’s first CareerTech schools and have a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development since 1967. Our devotion to each other, our students, and the life-changing learning we provide fuels our pursuit of excellence. We call this the “Tri County Way.” We have locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, Oklahoma. Tri County Tech is part of the Oklahoma CareerTech system, which offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts and operates on 59 campuses across the state. CareerTech plays a vital role in developing a world-class workforce for Oklahoma employers and prepares Oklahomans to succeed in the workplace, in education, and life.
About Oklahoma CareerTech
Oklahoma CareerTech is often used as a model for programs across the United States and around the world. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 391 PK-12 school districts, 17 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities, and 32 Adult Education and Family Literacy service providers.