Oregon Nursing Colleges, Degrees & Licenses
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“Not only has my experience at OHSU allowed me to be a more effective nurse, but it has also awakened my capabilities for patient advocacy beyond the bedside. Thanks to OHSU’s online BSN program, I have become a more conscientious nurse.”
Brandon Uribe, Medical-surgical Nurse, Graduate of the Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon has not been immune to the issues plaguing the nursing workforce in many states. A primary issue that persists is the shortage of nursing professionals and nursing education faculty. Nurses often cite insufficient compensation and burnout as factors that drive them to leave the profession.
The demand for nursing and other healthcare professionals is expected to remain robust for years. A major driving factor of demand in Oregon is the same as in many other rural states of America, namely the gap in access to care between rural and urban residents. Apart from cities like Portland, Salem, and Eugene, Oregon is largely a rural state and will continue to need new healthcare professionals to address this gap in both availability and quality of care through at least the beginning of the 2030s.
Viewed through the lens of economics, the projected and protracted high demand for nurses means it is an employees’ market for nurses. Nurses are more likely to succeed in their demands for better compensation, improved benefits and other critical elements necessary for their profession to remain sustainable.
Read on to discover Oregon’s top undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, salary expectations, and licensing requirements for nursing careers in this state.
Meet the Expert: Brandon Uribe, BSN
Brandon Uribe is a dedicated and skilled medical-surgical nurse. He holds a BSN from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and an ADN from Clatsop Community College. He has built a commendable career focused on providing exceptional acute care to general medical and surgical patients.
With a specialization that includes telemetry, Uribe’s expertise allows him to offer high-quality care to patients experiencing a wide range of conditions requiring surgical intervention and medical management.
NursingColleges.com: How has graduating from an online nursing program enhanced your career?
Uribe: Graduating from the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) online BSN program has brought real-world changes in my career in bedside nursing. The program has enhanced my critical thinking skills, resulting from my deepened understanding of the nursing process. Not only has my experience at OHSU allowed me to be a more effective nurse, but it has also awakened my capabilities for patient advocacy beyond the bedside. Thanks to OHSU’s online BSN program, I have become a more conscientious nurse.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective online nursing student?
Uribe: In this era, the educational experience may have turned virtual, but the quality remains undiluted. Pursuing further education in any format will pay lifelong dividends to you and your future patients.
Accredited Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Oregon
Oregon Health and Science University
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), through a partnership with several Oregon community colleges called the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education, offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree program. With the pooled resources available through this partnership, OHSU offers students access to clinical facilities and faculty throughout Oregon. OHSU’s BSN program is among the most popular and respected in the state. Schools that partner with OHSU include Mt. Hood, Umpqua, Rogue, Southwestern Oregon, Clackman, Portland, and several others.
OHSU offers three programs. These are the on-campus BSN program, the accelerated BSN program, and the online RN-to-BSN program. The on-campus program is a 30-semester-credit (45 quarter-credit) program that full-time students can complete in nine terms over three calendar years. Students may choose from one of five campuses to complete this option. The accelerated program is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in a non-nursing field. Students can typically complete this program in 15 months and are well prepared to advance to OHSU’s DNP or PhD programs.
Finally, the fully online RN-to-BSN program is designed for certified RNs holding an associate’s degree who seek to advance their careers. Depending on the pace of study, students can complete this option in nine months to as long as five years.
- Location: Portland, OR; multiple campuses throughout Oregon
- Duration: Nine months to five years, depending on track and pace of study
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Linfield University Good Samaritan School of Nursing is known for offering one of Oregon’s most prestigious BSN programs. An exceptional faculty inspires and challenges nursing students to develop hard nursing skills and become caring, compassionate people dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the world. The School of Nursing supports students’ success through one-on-one contact with faculty, a supportive learning community, and small class sizes in lecture and clinical training settings. Through its affiliation with many hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout Portland, the School of Nursing provides students with numerous options to complete their hands-on training requirements. Students can access a hi-fi nursing lab, study abroad programs, and multicultural nursing opportunities.
Linfield offers three undergraduate track options. These options are the pre-licensure BSN program, the accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, and the online RN-to-BSN program. The prelicensure BSN program is a two-year (four-semester) transfer-only program for students who have completed their prerequisites and most of their general education requirements. The ABSN program trains those already holding a bachelor’s degree who seek to transition into a nursing career. This 12-month program consists of ten-week accelerated semesters. The online RN-to-BSN program is designed to train working nurses to become effective community leaders. This program is a 12-month, part-time program designed to accommodate the needs of both new and experienced nurses.
- Location: Portland, OR
- Duration: One to two years, depending on track
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
George Fox University (GFU) is a Christian-based university that offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree program. GFU’s nursing program is guided by a holistic focus in which students learn to care for the health of their patients’ minds and bodies. The curriculum, designed to provide Christ-centered nursing education, teaches students the critical scientific knowledge necessary for providing effective treatment responsive to the needs of diverse populations and the important art of compassionate caregiving.
GFU boasts one of the highest NCLEX-RN pass rates in Oregon. As recently as spring 2023, GFU students had a one hundred percent pass rate. The school also has a low attrition rate. In addition, GFU is known for its outstanding faculty. Finally, GFU has a successful study abroad program available to its nursing students. More than half of all undergraduates will participate in a study abroad program sometime during their GFU studies. Many GFU graduates will go on to work on behalf of organizations such as Doctors Without Borders at some point in their careers.
- Location: Newberg, OR
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The University of Portland (UP) is a private Catholic university based in Portland, Oregon. The university, founded in 1901, is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross, which founded UP’s sister school, the University of Notre Dame. The UP School of Nursing and Health Innovations offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree program designed to prepare professional nurses who will practice with integrity and a commitment to social justice for vulnerable client populations across the continuum of healthcare delivery.
In recognition of the complexity of present-day healthcare, the UP BSN program features a concept-based curriculum. This curriculum comprises active, hands-on classroom learning, high-quality simulation learning, and a range of clinical settings. Each nursing course is designed to explore specific concepts that ultimately build on one another throughout the entire degree program. The curriculum has three types of nursing courses, namely classroom courses, clinical reasoning seminar (CRS) courses, and professional practice courses. The CRS courses act as a bridge between the theoretical foundations students learn in classroom courses and their professional practice experience. Through this diverse set of courses, students build knowledge and skills in population health, leadership, holistic generalist nursing care, healthcare innovations, evidence-based practice, and social justice.
- Location: Portland, OR
- Duration: Five semesters
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs in Oregon
Bushnell University (Online)
Bushnell University, founded in 1895, is guided by a mission of offering its students a Christ-centered learning environment. Its academic programs encourage students to develop wisdom, nurture their faith, and find value in lives of service to others. Students who feel guided by their religious faith to make a lasting contribution to their church and community can expect to find significant opportunities at Bushnell University.
The Bushnell University School of Nursing offers an online 30-credit master of science in nursing (MSN) degree with a concentration in nurse leadership in health systems. This program trains students for leadership roles commonly found in various healthcare settings. Major coursework topics include leadership, communication, healthcare systems, and finance. The curriculum within this and other Bushnell nursing programs is designed to prepare ethical nurse leaders and educators committed to applying evidence-based practices to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Students develop leadership skills and confidence through their participation in varied clinical or project-based practice experiences throughout the local community and acute care settings.
- Location: Eugene, OR
- Duration: 18 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Oregon Health Sciences University
As noted above, Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) is a well-respected center of academic education in Oregon. It is also one of the few providers of graduate-level nursing education in Oregon. The OHSU School of Nursing offers a master’s degree program featuring two track options. These are the online nursing education (MNE) program and the health systems and organizational leadership (HSOL) program. Regardless of track, students can expect a high-quality education in which they will be trained in developing critical thinking and judgment, health systems and economics, and interdisciplinary care.
The 48-quarter-credit MNE program is designed for bachelor’s trained nurses interested in pursuing a career as a nurse educator. Graduates of this program often will find roles as faculty members in a school of nursing or in staff development positions.
The 47-quarter-credit HSOL program is an online track that prepares professional nurses for leadership roles in various settings, including acute care, long-term care, community care, and still more. In addition to the aforementioned programs, OHSU offers MSN programs to RNs in several other specializations. These specializations include adult gerontology acute care, family nurse practice, psychiatric mental health nursing, and nurse-midwifery.
- Location: Portland, OR
- Duration: 1.5 to two years, depending on pace of study
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Nursing School Accreditation
Nursing school programs are approved by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). These organizations ensure that nursing programs meet certain standards and provide students with a useful, evidence-based education.
In Oregon, nursing program graduates obtain their licenses through the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Applicants must have satisfactorily completed an appropriately accredited nursing program to be eligible for licensure. Additional steps applicants typically need to complete include passing a criminal background check, completing the Oregon State Board of Nursing application for licensure, and passing the NCLEX exam. There is a second way nurses can obtain a license. Nurses with an active license valid in another state may apply in Oregon by submitting an endorsement application. Licensing requirements differ by state. It is, therefore important for prospective nursing students and graduates of such programs to thoroughly research the options they are interested in.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Oregon?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of April 2024.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 630,250 | 4,150 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,790 | $71,180 |
| 10th percentile | $45,670 | $59,210 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,730 | $71,040 |
| 90th percentile | $77,870 | $84,300 |
Registered Nurse Salaries
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 3,175,390 | 38,770 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $94,480 | $113,440 |
| 10th percentile | $63,720 | $86,730 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,070 | $110,940 |
| 90th percentile | $132,680 | $136,950 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 47,810 | 390 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $214,200 | $215,260 |
| 10th percentile | $139,980 | $128,320 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $212,650 | $224,520 |
| 90th percentile | >$239,200 | >$239,200 |
Nurse Midwife Salaries
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 6,960 | 110 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $131,570 | $139,490 |
| 10th percentile | $87,320 | $118,400 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,650 | $141,340 |
| 90th percentile | $177,530 | $157,440 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
| United States | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 280,140 | 2,410 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $128,490 | $144,950 |
| 10th percentile | $94,530 | $110,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,260 | $137,440 |
| 90th percentile | $168,030 | $182,650 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Oregon requires LPN license candidates to:
|
Oregon LPNs are required to renew their license every two years. To do so, they must have one of the following:
At the time of renewal all applicants must verify they have completed one hour of pain management continuing education and two hours of Cultural Competency continuing education. To renew, nurses must submit a renewal application and pay the $145 renewal fee. |
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Oregon requires RN license candidates to:
|
RNs in Oregon are required to renew their license every two years. To do so, they must have one of the following:
At the time of renewal all applicants must verify they have completed one hour of pain management continuing education and two hours of cultural competency continuing education. To renew, nurses must submit a renewal application and pay the $145 renewal fee. |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Licensure in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In the state of Oregon, CNSs are licensed as APRNs. The eligibility requirements are:
| License renewal for CNSs in Oregon is biennial. RN and APRN renewals are due at the same time and the applicant may use a single form to renew multiple credentials. To renew, candidates must have an active national certification or 45 hours of continuing education and 92 hours of practice as an NP in the past two years. Renewals cost $105. |
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Licensure in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In the state of Oregon, CNMs are licensed as APRNs. To be eligible for a license, the applicant must have the following:
|
CNM license renewals in Oregon are biennial. RN and APRN renewals are due simultaneously, and the applicant may use a single form to renew multiple credentials. To renew, candidates must have an active national certification or 45 hours of continuing education and 92 hours of practice as an NP in the past two years. Renewals cost $145. |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensure in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Oregon licenses NPs as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). To be eligible for a license, the applicant must have the following:
|
License renewal is biennial. RN and APRN renewals are due at the same time, and the applicant may use a single form to renew multiple credentials. To renew, candidates must have an active national certification or 45 hours of continuing education and 92 hours of practice as an NP in the past two years. Renewals cost $145. |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) Licensure in Oregon
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In the state of Oregon, CRNAs are licensed as APRNs. To be eligible for a license, the applicant must have the following:
|
License renewal in Oregon is biennial. RN and APRN renewals are due at the same time and the applicant may use a single form to renew multiple credentials. To renew, candidates must have an active national certification or 45 hours of continuing education as well as 92 hours of practice as an APRN in the past two years. Renewals cost $145. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.