Polly Cottom

I am a cattle rancher’s wife from northwest Oklahoma and an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with extensive experience in geriatrics, long-term care, critical care, post-anesthesia care, and rehabilitation. Over my 26 years of teaching at High Plains Technology Center, I developed strong skills in instruction, curriculum development, and student mentorship. I now have the privilege of serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University.

It is an honor to contribute to the development of the new BSN program at Oklahoma State University—the very place where my journey in nursing began when I completed my pre-nursing courses in 1986. Returning to OSU in an instructional role feels like coming full circle, and I am proud to help prepare the next generation of nurses for meaningful and impactful careers.