We've organized a comprehensive list of Oregon nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major Oregon city.
More than 30 college campuses in Oregon offer accredited nursing programs. Most nursing programs focus on prelicensure education for one of three key roles: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or registered nurse (RN).
Certified nursing assistant
An aspiring licensed practical nurse (LPN) must be confident in the medical environment, passionate about caring for patients, and able to operate independently and effectively. LPNs administer medications, measure blood pressure and other vitals, and provide direct care to patients. To master these skills, Oregon’s LPNs must complete an education and training program at one of the state’s nursing schools.
LPN programs in Oregon
Portland is home to the state of Oregon’s largest medical center, Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. This facility is ranked regionally and nationally, and it provides a framework of resources and infrastructure for surrounding nursing institutions. The hospital is part of the larger Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), which offers baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degree programs on a wide array of nursing topics.
Portland degree programs
If you want to build a successful nursing career in Medford, Oregon, earning a degree or certificate from an accredited nursing school will start you off on the right foot. Fortunately, the metropolitan area is home to several schools that offer highly regarded nursing programs.
Healthcare professionals in Salem, Oregon, are well paid. The city’s certified nursing assistants (CNAs) earn a median annual income of $26,800, while licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are paid roughly $45,000 per year. Salem’s registered nurses (RNs) do even better, earning in excess of $75,000 annually. Local advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), who must hold a graduate degree, routinely earn $95,000 and above. Employment figures show ample room for growth over the coming decade.
Overview of Salem’s nursing programs
Portland is home to the state of Oregon’s largest medical center, Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. This facility is ranked regionally and nationally, and it provides a framework of resources and infrastructure for surrounding nursing institutions. The hospital is part of the larger Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), which offers baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degree programs on a wide array of nursing topics.
Portland degree programs
Registered nurses (RNs) are the backbone of the U.S. nursing profession. Oregon’s RNs must obtain either an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). This rigorous training distinguishes them from licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), who need only earn a certificate.
RN training
For many registered nurses (RNs), pursuing a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree is the next logical step after completing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. The MSN program builds on the medical knowledge and clinical experience that RNs have acquired in the classroom and workplace. Graduate students have the opportunity to build expertise in a variety of advanced fields, including nursing administration, nursing anesthesia, nursing midwifery, nursing education, and family practice nursing.
Advanced practice registered nursing
Oregon’s nursing students have two distinct pathways for pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. The traditional BSN is a comprehensive program that prepares aspiring registered nurses (RNs) to enter the nursing profession. The RN-to-BSN program enables existing nurses with just an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) to earn their baccalaureate degree, often while working at the same time.
Overview of the traditional BSN
The associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) is the most common licensure pathway for registered nurses (RNs). Because of its short duration, flexible schedule, small class size, and attractive career prospects, the ADN is a highly sought-after degree in Oregon.
ADN program overview
An aspiring licensed practical nurse (LPN) must be confident in the medical environment, passionate about caring for patients, and able to operate independently and effectively. LPNs administer medications, measure blood pressure and other vitals, and provide direct care to patients. To master these skills, Oregon’s LPNs must complete an education and training program at one of the state’s nursing schools.
LPN programs in Oregon
Although it can be pricey, a degree or certificate in nursing is an extremely worthwhile expense. Students of Oregon’s nursing schools should budget for several significant costs, including tuition, books, clinical supplies, living expenses, and transport. If the student is not a local resident, room and board must also be budgeted. Fortunately, Oregon’s nursing schools offer high-caliber programs that prepare students for success in the state’s rapidly changing healthcare industry.
The investment
Oregon is home to a dozen private institutes, colleges, and universities that offer accredited nursing programs. These private schools can be either non-profit organizations, like University of Portland and Linfield College, or for-profit entities, like Pioneer Pacific College and ITT Technical Institute. Both types of private schools tend to charge higher tuition than their public counterparts.