Guide to the Best Online Nursing Schools in Oregon
Learn how to launch or advance your RN nursing career by earning a quality degree or certificate from one of the best nursing schools in Oregon.
If you live in Oregon and are interested in joining the nursing profession, now may be the best time to act with a major shortage of qualified nurses both in Oregon and across the United States. That shortage means employers are raising salaries and offering signing bonuses to attract RNs and other nursing professionals.
Before getting your Oregon nursing license and moving into one of those high-paying jobs, you’ll need a nursing degree. Below, you’ll discover how to locate a best-in-class nursing degree program from among the top nursing schools in Oregon. We’ve also included information and advice on starting and advancing in your Oregon nursing career. Dive in by considering our list of top programs.
Mt Hood Community College
Gresham, Oregon
Public
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Types of Nursing Programs Available in Oregon
Oregon nursing schools provide a range of degree and certificate programs for students with specific career goals and at different points in their career paths. With so many different programs available, sorting through them all can be overwhelming. We’ve put together the following descriptions of the most common types of nursing programs in Oregon, along with examples of each, to help you find the best program for you.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Oregon
ADN Programs
The ADN provides a quick and affordable path to eligibility for the NCLEX-RN exam. ADN degrees are offered almost exclusively at Oregon community colleges and typically require two to three years to complete. ADN curriculums include both the nursing theory courses and in-person clinical hours required for RN licensure.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with this Program
Traditional BSN Programs
With an increasing number of employers preferring to hire RNs with the additional knowledge and training that come with bachelor’s degrees, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is quickly becoming the pre-licensure degree of choice. The traditional BSN is designed for students with little or no college experience and typically requires four years of full-time study.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated (Second Degree) BSN programs are for students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees interested in starting new careers as RNs. These programs normally require 1 ½ years of full-time study and consist of the nursing theory courses and clinical practice hours required for NCLEX-RN and Oregon RN licensure eligibility.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Oregon for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and sometimes other related professionals like EMTs can become RNs through an LPN to RN or LPN to BSN program. LPN to RN programs typically take three semesters while LPN to BSN programs normally require three years or more to complete. Walla Walla University-Portland currently offers Oregon’s only LPN to BSN program.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
RN to BSN programs provide current RNs a time-efficient and cost-saving path to advanced nursing skills. One-year (full-time) and two-year (part-time) programs are quite popular and a staple of most four-year nursing schools in Oregon. Many programs are available 100% online.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
Most nursing leadership jobs require applicants have MSN degrees. RN to MSN programs offer current RNs without BSNs an efficient route to obtaining their MSNs. These programs take 2 ½ to three years, sometimes longer, depending on the choice of specialization and whether full-time or part-time study pace.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Oregon
MSN Programs
Current RNs with BSNs can opt for a traditional MSN program. MSN programs sometimes offer multiple specialization tracks, the most common being nursing leadership and nursing education. Some feature fully-online curriculums. Program length varies from 1 ½ to two years, but many allow substantially longer completion times to accommodate working professionals.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with This Program
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
There are two doctoral degree options for nurse leaders intent on reaching the highest echelons of their profession. The most common is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which prepares graduates to take on top-tier leadership roles in advanced nursing practice and healthcare administration. The PhD in Nursing prepares graduates for senior positions in advanced research and post-secondary education.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Certificates
Post-graduate certificates in nursing are designed for individuals with MSNs or nursing doctorates who wish to add a specialized area of practice to their professional knowledge base without earning another degree. Specializations available are often the same as those offered as part of MSN programs. Program length varies, but one to two years is common.
Examples of Oregon Nursing Schools with This Program
Inside Look at Online Nursing Programs in Oregon
Most nursing schools now integrate distance learning into their programs. You’ll probably not find a nursing program in Oregon without an online component. Some programs are even 100% online, at least for the didactic coursework. In most cases, online classes are accessed asynchronously at times most convenient to you. Some classes, though, may require attending at specific times. Any clinical rotation hours are still completed at hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Oregon
If you’re like the majority of prospective nursing students, you’ll need help funding your degree program. Fortunately, there’s a lot of it available in the form of scholarships and grants, fellowships and assistantships (mainly for grad students), employer tuition assistance, and work study programs. For active and retired military, there are also VA education benefits. Another valuable resource for Oregon nursing students is the state’s Office of Student Access and Completion, which awards millions of dollars in scholarships and grants to Oregon students annually.
Almost all college-bound students, however, use student loans to fill funding gaps. Student loans are available from many public and private sources, but the biggest source by far is federal student loans. The federal government sponsors several student loan repayment opportunities through the Health Resources and Services Administration as well.
To learn more about funding a nursing program in Oregon, check out EduMed’s nursing scholarship guide, financial aid guide, and guide to graduating from nursing school debt-free.
How to Become an RN in Oregon: Licensing Information and Requirements
The RN licensure process in Oregon is administered by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN). There are two ways to meet the OSBN’s requirements for RN licensure. Applicants with current RN licenses from another U.S. state or jurisdiction will likely obtain their Oregon RN licenses through endorsement. If you’re applying for an RN license for the first time, you’ll obtain your license by examination. Here’s a look at the steps you’ll take to do that:
Complete your pre-licensure RN nursing degree program
To qualify for the NCLEX-RN and Oregon RN licensure, you must complete an OSBN-approved or non-Oregon state-approved RN degree program. For many students this will be an ADN or BSN program offered by one of the Oregon nursing schools mentioned in this guide. Check any current program’s approval status against this list of OSBN-approved nursing programs.
Submit your RN license by examination application
Start the application process via the OSBN Licensing Portal. The process includes submitting a complete application form, providing fingerprints for a criminal background check, and paying the application fee. You’ll also need to supply a copy of your nursing program transcript to the OSBN upon graduation. Students about to finish their RN degree programs should begin the application process four to six weeks before graduation.
Register for and schedule your NCLEX-RN
You’ll register for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE, the exam’s exclusive administrator. Once you complete the registration process and your RN license application is processed, Pearson VUE will email you an Authorization to Test (ATT). You can then schedule your exam via your Pearson VUE online account.
Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
The NCSBN provides helpful advice for preparing to take the NCLEX-RN. You’ll sit for your exam at any of Pearson VUE’s domestic or international testing locations. Official exam results will be forwarded to you by the OSBN approximately six weeks after taking the exam. However, you can access unofficial results two business days after the exam.
After you pass the exam and meet all other licensure requirements, you’ll receive a notification email from the OSBN with your RN license number. The OSBN does not issue a physical license. If you did not pass, you can retake the exam every 46 days. You must, however, re-register with Pearson VUE and re-apply with the OSBN each time.
Keep your Oregon RN license current
Oregon RN licenses expire at midnight on the day before the licensee’s birthday every two years (odd-numbered years for those born in odd-numbered years and even-numbered years for those born in even-numbered years). There’s a one-time requirement of seven continuing education hours on the subject of pain management with no other CE requirements needed for license renewal.
Salary and Job Outlook for RNs in Oregon
In Oregon, there will be an 11.60% increase in jobs for registered nurses statewide, making it a good time to consider pursuing this career. In fact, every year, an additional 2,930 jobs will be added to the RN workforce, helping to address employers’ nursing shortages. Nationwide, there will be a 5.60% increase in jobs, resulting in 193,100 positions created annually. If you're concerned about potential earnings, the information we’ve compiled illustrates salary potential. In Oregon, registered nurses earn between $86,730 and $136,950, with an average salary of $110,940. However, specific locations around the state have different salary ranges. In Eugene, RNs earn between $83,810 and $131,640, with an average salary of $100,780. In Salem, professionals earn between $85,440 and $127,640, with an average salary of $107,080. For more useful information, review the tables below.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $86,730 | $110,940 | $136,950 |
| Albany, OR | $87,230 | $103,960 | $128,980 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | $90,200 | $115,580 | $138,380 |
| Corvallis, OR | $91,380 | $110,140 | $129,400 |
| Eugene, OR | $83,810 | $100,780 | $131,640 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $85,130 | $98,800 | $124,330 |
| Medford, OR | $87,440 | $107,650 | $127,080 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $94,630 | $116,850 | $137,870 |
| Salem, OR | $85,440 | $107,080 | $127,640 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Oregon | 42,720 | 47,680 | 4,960 | 11.60% | 2,930 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
