Becoming an RN in Oregon

The Oregon Center for Nursing has a slogan, “Because Oregon’s Health Depends On It”. What is it that Oregon is counting on for a healthy future? A workforce of highly qualified professional nurses! This isn’t a given. As the RN workforce ages, and as the population as a whole does, the demand for professional nurses increases. This is the premise behind the OCN, a nursing workforce site.

Interested in becoming a registered nurse in Oregon? You can earn RN licensing by completing a degree program that has been approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The degree may be at either the associate’s or baccalaureate level. If you take an associate’s level course, you will have the opportunity to bridge to a higher degree later. Nationwide, higher levels of education are associated with better patient outcomes.

If nursing is your first degree, there are a number of ADN and BSN programs to choose from. The Oregon Board of Nursing recommends that students ask about transferable credits as well as admission requirements and accreditations. Whichever program you select, you can expect to put in a significant number of clinical hours toward the end of the program. When you have successfully completed the program, you can apply to take the licensing exam, NCLEX-RN.

RN Education & Professional Pathways

The program that you enroll in now is determined by your prior education and licensing. If you have a practical nursing license, you can take an LPN to RN bridge program. There is currently one program in the state, at Carrington University.

If on the other hand, you have a degree in a field other than nursing, you have the option of enrolling in an accelerated program. Post-baccalaureate students at Oregon Health Sciences University and the University of Portland have the option of enrolling in master’s programs. These programs allow them to earn a BSN, and licensing as an RN, en route to a master’s and an advanced practice RN license.

If your current licensing is as a CNA, there are no Oregon programs designed specifically to help you bridge. However, your experience can still be very valuable. Portland Community College reports that an applicant can score a few extra points by having previous experience as a CNA, emergency medical technician, or paramedic.

Registered Nursing Career Outlook in Oregon

In 2010, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing did a nationwide survey of deans of nursing schools. The subject was employment rates of BSN and direct entry master’s students who had graduated in the previous two years. 47% of Oregon’s students had job offers at graduation. Four to six months later, the figure rose to 85%.

These figures will change from year to year. Nursing is susceptible to short term economic issues because some workers choose to pick up more shifts or delay retirement. However, the age of the RN workforce and the age of the population as a whole, are more predictable indicators long term. In 2008, the Labor Bureau predicted there would be 22% growth over the next decade.

In 2011, the Oregon Center for Nursing is reevaluating the nursing situation in Oregon and putting together recommendations for the future.

The Application Process

Applying for a professional program can be a little intimidating. There are more applicants than slots, though the ratio is not as badly skewed as was once thought. The Oregon Center for Nursing reports that many students who are at first denied admission reapply, eventually getting in. Nursing schools have gotten competitive, though, and some more so than others.

Surprisingly, some community colleges can be tough to crack. Portland Community College reported that 73% of those admitted in 2010 had some healthcare experience (including volunteer work). The average prerequisite GPA is perhaps even more startling: 3.9. A majority, but not all, had completed prerequisites in science and other areas.

You will likely want to begin the process early and apply to more than one school. When it comes time to apply for jobs, you can search on the site of WorkSource Oregon, Oregon’s general workforce site.

ADN Programs Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing

BSN Programs Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing

Oregon Health & Science University – School of Nursing

The Oregon Health & Science University – School of Nursing BSN program is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The School of Nursing undergraduate and master programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nursing, Accelerated BS with a major in Nursing, RN to BSN, Accelerated BS to MSN, Part-Time MSN, MSN – (Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing Education (offered as a Post Master’s Certificate only), Nursing Education with an emphasis in Community Health Nursing, Nursing Education with an emphasis in Gerontological Nursing, Nurse-Midwifery, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner), Post-Master’s Certificates – (Tracks: same as MSN w/ addition of gerontology and nursing education

Oregon Health & Science University – School of Nursing, 3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239

University of Portland – School of Nursing

University of Portland – School of Nursing BSN program is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The University of Portland School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

Programs Offered: BSN, MS – AEM UP (Alternate Entry master’s at UP – for students with a non-nursing degree – these students earn an MS clinical nurse leader specialty), MS degree in nursing – clinical nurse leader specialty, RN-MS – (for people with associate degree and have an RN – clinical nurse specialty), Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) – family nurse practitioner specialty

University of Portland School of Nursing, 5000 North Willamette Blvd, Portland, OR 97203