Nursing is a noble profession, and where you earned your nursing degree can affect your career options. That is why attending any of the nursing schools in Oregon can be one of the best things to happen to you.
So, if you desire to enjoy a promising career as a nurse in Oregon, consider getting a degree from a nursing school in Oregon.
Nursing Career in Oregon
In almost all professions, they often associate higher education with higher wages and employability. Nursing is no exception, and with a national nursing shortage, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Registered Nursing (RN) qualification can embark on a long, high-paying career.
However, not all nursing programs in Oregon offer a BSN, and some only offer an associate degree to prepare you for the NCLEX. If you choose one of these programs, you can always continue your education later, possibly through an online RN-BSN program.
Is Oregon a Good Place to Study Nursing?
Although Oregon currently has approximately 31,000 licensed nurses working, the U.S. Department of Health has forecast a shortage of around 6,000 nurses by 2025 – particularly in border counties and rural areas of the state.
For people with a passion for patients in need, Oregon’s nursing industry is growing and promising exciting opportunities for rewarding careers.
Prospective students studying this area of health can use the following guide to explore the nursing schools in Oregon and learn about licensing requirements within the state.
Nursing Programs in Oregon
There are 3 major programs you can pursue to get a nursing degree in Oregon before getting licensed to practice in the state. These include Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN); their tuition cost, admission requirements, and length of the program.
ADN Programs in Oregon
The first step to take if you are considering becoming a nurse is to graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN). This program lasts approximately 2 years and is commonly offered at junior and technical colleges across the state.
Once you’ve completed an ADN program, you can take the license exam to become a nurse.
Tuition for ADN Programs in Oregon
There are a few things to consider when considering the cost of an ADN program. Tuition is the major cost and can vary from school to school.
You also need to think about additional costs such as books, uniforms, and various mandatory fees that may or may not be included in your school’s tuition price.
The ADN program has an estimated program cost of $11,500 to $13,800.
BSN Programs in Oregon
Those who want more opportunities in their nursing careers gravitate towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
This traditional 4-year program is usually offered at larger universities and is more extensive than an ADN program. Graduates with a BSN degree move to more advanced nursing positions and earn more.
There are also RN-to-BSN programs for licensed nurses looking to advance their careers.
BSN program length in Oregon
A traditional BSN pre-license program lasts 4 years from start to finish. However, some schools offer accelerated BSN programs for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field.
These accelerated programs can only last 16 months. RN-to-BSN programs are usually shorter too, around 2 years old.
Admission Requirements for the BSN Program in Oregon
While each school has its own admission requirements, here are a few examples of what to expect:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- SAT scores for critical reading and math from 940 to 1140 or ACT scores from 21 to 26
- Completion of all required courses
Tuition and Costs for BSN Programs in Oregon
Understanding the cost components of a can turn your head. The costs for BSN program will include mandatory costs including textbooks, lab fees, and more.
For example, the total cost of the program for traditional BSN is approximately $ 50,000 for residents and nearly $ 80,000 for non-residents
MSN programs in Oregon
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a truly advanced nursing degree for those looking to reach the peak of a registered nursing career.
An MSN can lead to jobs such as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, and Nurse Practitioner, among others.
These advanced nursing professions also tend to pay much higher salaries.
MSN program length in Oregon
It takes about 2-3 years to complete an MSN from start to finish. Many MSN programs are designed to fit busy nurses’ schedules. Hence, things like night and online classes are the norm in many schools.
If you have schedule requirements, it is a good idea to see what types of course options are available at a potential school offering an MSN.
Eligibility requirements for MSN in Oregon
Admission requirements for the program may vary. The following are general requirements:
- BSN from an accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Graduation from GRE
- Personal interview with the faculty
Tuition and Costs for MSN Programs in Oregon
The MSN program in Oregon will cost approximately $54,083.37 for domestic students.
Nursing Schools in Oregon
Here is the list of the Nursing Schools in Oregon like Oregon Health & Science University, Concordia University-Portland, University of Portland; which you can take advantage of to give your nursing career a great start.
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Concordia University-Portland
- Bushnell University
- University of Portland
- Linfield College – School of Nursing
- George Fox University
- Treasure Valley Community College
- Portland Community College
- Chemeketa Community College
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has multiple locations across Oregon at other facilities so nursing students can choose the Oregon area to study in.
Each campus offers the same three options: a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, and an RN-BSN graduation program (which can also be completed online).
OHSU is also an excellent graduate school, so nursing students are interested in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Ph.D. can complete their entire school years through OHSU.
Tuition Fee: $14,114
Acceptance Rate: NA
Graduation Rate: NA
Student-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Online Campus: Available
Concordia University-Portland
Close to downtown Portland is Concordia University, a private Lutheran school. Students do not get access to government tuition fees, but 98% of Concordia students receive a financial assistance.
This can make the maintenance program a lot more affordable than it seems on paper. All course work at the BSN takes place in the junior and senior years. However, the Freshman Advantage Pre-Nursing program allows new students to get started on basic biology and chemistry courses early.
Tuition Fee: $26,390
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Graduation Rate: 43%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Online Campus: Available
Bushnell University, Eugene, Oregon
As a Christian school, Oregon residents do not have access to state tuition at Bushnell University. Students also cannot complete a traditional nursing program, despite the fact that the NCU hosts one of the best RN-BSN programs in the state.
The RN-BSN is fully available online, and current RNs studying full-time can complete this program in just one year. Some students continue studying while at work and typically complete the program in just over a year.
Tuition Fee: $21,808
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 46%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Online Campus: Available
University of Portland, Portland, Oregon
With an incredible cliff-top location overlooking Portland and the Willamette River, nursing students may be drawn to the University of Portland for its campus.
UP is also one of the top schools in the region and offers an incredible BSN program. The traditional BSN is the only option for nursing students, although transfer students are regularly accepted into the program.
UP’s partnership with Providence Health and Services also resulted in the creation of the Providence Scholars Program, which covers over 80% of the cost of the BSN while guaranteeing student employment after graduation.
Tuition Fee: $38,350
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 82%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Online Campus: NA
Linfield College – School of Nursing, McMinnville, Oregon
With just over 2,500 students enrolled, Linfield College is one of the smaller four-year institutions on this list. However, the Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing is one of the highlights of the college, so nursing students are guaranteed to receive excellent nursing education.
The traditional BSN program offers clinical class sizes of only eight students and theory courses, not more than 40. Other nursing options include an online RN-BSN and a 15-month accelerated second-degree program.
Tuition Fee: $29,664
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 65%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Online Campus: Available
George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon
George Fox University has just over 4,100 students spread across four campuses in Portland, Salem, Redmond, and Newberg. However, students enrolled in the traditional BSN will study on the Newberg campus.
This four-year program accepts transfer students through Running Start, a program that allows high schoolers from Oregon to graduate to college.
Upon completion of the program, students find positions in a variety of nursing fields, including acute care, cardiology, obstetrics, oncology, and pediatrics.
Tuition Fee: $31,510
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 67%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Online Campus: Available
Treasure Valley Community College
Treasure Valley Community College is a regionally recognized two-year institution in Ontario, Oregon. With only 3,000 students, TVCC is one of the smaller OCNE Community Colleges, with amazing students.
From 2015 to 2017, 100% of the associate degree program graduates found a job. After completing the three-year nursing staff, students can switch to OHSU to complete their BSN.
Students can also take and pass the NCLEX-RN and then complete an RN-BSN program elsewhere.
Tuition Fee: $10,707
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 36%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Online Campus: Available
Portland Community College
Portland Community College is a two-year institution that has nearly 73,000 full-time students. This makes PCC by far the largest post-secondary school in Oregon.
Students interested in becoming nurses could benefit from PCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (ASN). Students taking the ASN can take a BSN through either OHSU or Linfield College. So this can be an inexpensive way to start your journey towards a BSN.
ASN graduates are well on their way to becoming RNs and could also join an RN-BSN program.
Tuition Fee: $7,920
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 25%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Online Campus: Available
Chemeketa Community College
While state tuition fees at Chemeketa Community College are low, many students attend the school without paying tuition fees.
Students looking for an affordable way to earn a BSN may want to start at Chemeketa, complete the two-year nurse degree, then either switch to a BSN program or pass the NCLEX-RN and join an RN-BSN program.
Chemeketa even connects graduates to online RN-BSN programs with reduced tuition at Linfield College and the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay.
Tuition Fee: $4,295
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Graduation Rate: 19%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Online Campus: Available
Getting an Oregon Nursing License
The Oregon State Board of Nursing has set criteria that you must satisfy and submit for licensing through review or confirmation.
For admission by examination, an application, fees and the following information must be submitted:
- Official Sealed Protocol – sent to the State Board by the School of Nursing
- Passport photo – 2 “x 2”, signed / notarized and dated
- Registration for NCLEX – possibly receiving a score
- Fingerprint-based verification of criminal background
- Confirmation of licensing can be obtained by providing the following documentation:
- Education Review – official protocol sent directly to the State Board via the facility
- Review of the NCLEX exam
- Verification of the license – either on request using forms in the application or NURSYS (if applicable)
- National criminal background review
How Much Do Nurses Make in Oregon?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual salary for an Oregon registered nurse at $83,800, while nurses with MSN earn a median annual wage of $92,960.
This makes it a profitable career choice and makes Oregon the fifth highest-paid state for nurses in the nation.
Oregon employs 36,660 nurses, which is 19.23 nurses per 1,000 workers. This shows that Oregon employs more nurses per capita than its neighbors Washington and California, which means it could be an excellent place to start your career.
Nursing Schools in Oregon-FAQs
How long does it take to become an RN in Oregon?
It takes just one year to complete an LPN program, but job prospects and salaries are much lower. Hence, the common choice is to become an RN by either completing a 2-year associate’s degree (ADN) program, or a four-year bachelor’s degree (BSN).
Can you go to nursing school for free?
You work for a healthcare facility with a dedicated program that helps you transition from student to professional nurse. You work for a healthcare facility and they offer continuing education classes at no cost.
Does University of Oregon have a nursing program?
Graduates of the associate’s degree program in nursing are provisionally accepted into the Linfield College School of Nursing’s RN to BSN degree program.
Conclusion
As one of the highest-paid states for nurses, Oregon is a top destination for many nurses. Oregon also employs more nurses per capita than some of its neighbors, so finding jobs in Oregon might be easier than in nearby states.
That is why it will be in your best interest if you enrolled in any of the Online or Offline Nursing Schools in Oregon to obtain an ADN, BSN, or MSN degree and secure a promising future for yourself in the profession.
Reference
- nurse.org › education › top-10-best-nursing-schools-in-…
- www.registerednursing.org › state › oregon
- www.ohsu.edu › school-of-nursing
- www.niche.com › Colleges › Best for Nursing
- www.nursingschoolsalmanac.com › articles
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