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
A career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is the perfect fit for an aspiring nurse seeking rapid employment, a stable salary, and numerous opportunities for advancement. Most importantly, this career is a great fit for any individual who passionately enjoys working with and caring for people.
Overview of CNA role and training programs
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
Registered nurses (RNs) are highly valued for their confidence in the medical arena, leadership skills, and awareness of current ethical and social issues. This caliber of service requires excellent education and advanced clinical experience. Oregon’s aspiring RNs may accomplish this through one of two pathways: an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
Overview of BSN 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
A career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is the perfect fit for an aspiring nurse seeking rapid employment, a stable salary, and numerous opportunities for advancement. Most importantly, this career is a great fit for any individual who passionately enjoys working with and caring for people.
Overview of CNA role and training programs
Oregon is home to a number of universities, colleges, and vocational schools at both the public and private level. Four-year colleges and universities offer a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), master of science in nursing (MSN), and/or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) for aspiring registered nurses (RNs). Two-year community colleges and vocational schools offer certificates for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), as well as an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) for aspiring RNs.
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.
Public post-secondary institutions are funded and operated by the local state government. Residents therefore pay subsidized tuition fees to attend a public college or university. In addition to affordable tuition, state schools provide access to a large network of resources and a broad variety of program offerings.
Public universities in Oregon
Oregon’s community colleges award certificates, diplomas, and associate’s degrees in a variety of fields. One of the most popular career fields is nursing, with well over 40,000 practicing nurses across the state. Community colleges focus their nursing education on two roles: licensed practical nurse (LPN) and registered nurse (RN).
Licensed practical nursing programs
The American Nurses Association has called for the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to become the minimum level of preparation for aspiring professional nurses. The Institute of Medicine, in its recent report “The Future of Nursing,” recommended that 80 percent of registered nurses (RNs) hold this baccalaureate degree by 2020.
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