How To Become a Nurse in Oregon 2025

Becoming a nurse is a great way to start a lucrative and rewarding healthcare career. Perhaps you live in Oregon and you're interested in this career path, so you'd like to know what you'll need to do to get started.

Keep reading as we discuss how to become a nurse, including essential education and licensure requirements in Oregon. We'll also look at some top nursing schools in the state and answer some questions you may have.

What Does an RN Do?

A certified registered nurse (RN) plays a vital role in the healthcare industry. RNs work with doctors and specialists to provide patient care, education, and advocacy services. Some of their daily job duties include:

• conducting patient assessments
• providing basic treatments like starting IVs and performing CPR
• checking vital signs and administering medications
• assisting doctors and surgeons with advanced procedures and interventions
• educating patients on medical procedures and self-care

RNs commonly manage teams of entry-level healthcare professionals like certified nurse assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). They work in many different kinds of healthcare facilities, as well as for home health agencies, telehealth services, and public health organizations.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Oregon?

Various pathways can lead to RN licensure. The most common options for those with no previous college or healthcare experience are the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. It takes about two to four years to complete these programs and get licensed.

Those who already hold a bachelor's degree in any field or have entry-level healthcare experience can accelerate the process. Various types of 12-month accelerated nursing programs are available that build on learners' previous education or experience to help them earn their nursing credentials in as little as one year.

5 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Oregon

You'll need to meet a handful of educational requirements for nurses to get your RN license in Oregon. Let's take a look at the step-by-step process you can follow.

Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma or GED

All nursing programs require students to be high school graduates or have an equivalent level of education. Therefore, it's essential that you earn your high school diploma or GED before enrolling in nursing school.

Taking advanced math and science courses in high school can help you prepare for the challenges of your future nursing education. Some good courses to consider include psychology, anatomy and physiology, biology, and chemistry.

Step 2: Complete a State-Approved Training Program

After high school, you'll need to pursue formal education by enrolling in an ADN or BSN program approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Your school should be institutionally accredited, and the nursing program should maintain accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

As part of your degree program, you'll complete online or classroom-based courses, skills practice sessions in simulation labs, and hands-on clinical experiences at local healthcare facilities. This approach gives students a well-rounded education to prepare them for their nursing careers.

Step 3: Complete Clinical Experiences

Clinical experiences are a crucial part of any accredited nursing program. They provide opportunities for students to practice what they learn in real-world settings under the supervision of experienced RNs and nurse practitioners.

Your nursing instructors will help you schedule required clinical rotations, which often last for eight to 12 hours at a time. These internship-like experiences ensure nurses receive the best preparation possible for their future nursing jobs.

Step 4: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

Once you've completed your training program, you can submit a license application and fee to the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The Board will conduct a background check and ensure you completed your education; then, it will authorize you to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses.

The NCLEX-RN exam is a computer-based test consisting of multiple-choice questions that become more challenging as the test progresses. If you don't pass, you'll be able to retake the test in 45 days; if you do pass, you will receive your nursing license.

Step 5: Complete Continuing Education

In Oregon, you must complete six hours of continuing education every two years to maintain your license � three hours in suicide prevention, two in cultural competence, and one in pain management.

In addition, you must complete at least 400 nursing practice hours within two years. Those who fail to meet this requirement must complete approved reentry programs to have their licenses reinstated.

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Oregon

If you're ready to start your nursing education program, keep reading. Below, we'll look at some top schools in Oregon that provide nursing degrees, including some with online nursing programs.

1. Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon Health & Science University is a public school in Portland focusing primarily on health and medical sciences. It offers a wide range of degree programs for aspiring nurses, including online master's degrees.

Undergraduate students can pursue traditional or accelerated BSN programs, as well as an online RN to BSN, an associate to bachelor's transfer program, and a concurrent enrollment program. Graduate students can pursue master's degrees in education and leadership fields, as well as Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing degrees.

• Estimated tuition cost: $15,624 (in-state); $28,656 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. Linfield University

Linfield University is a private liberal arts school located in McMinnville, OR. It offers traditional and accelerated BSN and RN to BSN programs as well as an accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for students holding a non-nursing bachelor's degree.

These programs are tailored to the specific backgrounds of different groups of students, helping them complete their nursing education as efficiently as possible. The accelerated bachelor's program can be completed in just one year, while the accelerated master's degree is designed for completion within 15 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $50,850 (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: NWCCU

3. Bushnell University

Bushnell University is a Christian school located in Eugene. It offers three bachelor's degree programs for current and aspiring nurses: a traditional BSN program, an online RN to BSN, and an accelerated second-degree program.

Learners in the RN to BSN and accelerated programs can earn their degrees in just 12 months. Students in the traditional program typically complete general education and prerequisites during the first two years before entering the nursing program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $35,800 (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: NWCCU

4. Central Oregon Community College

Central Oregon Community College is a public two-year school in Bend. Students at this school can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in registered nursing with several pathways available.

Students with no previous experience can enroll in the program and are prepared to seek licensure as RNs within two years. Those with previous college experience or work experience as LPNs can pursue advanced standing options and graduate in accelerated timeframes.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,049 to $6,885 (in-state); $13,545 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: NWCCU

5. Portland Community College

Portland Community College is a public school offering a highly ranked ADN program with high NCLEX pass rates. This program is available in-person at the school's Sylvania campus.

Students learn entry-level nursing skills to prepare them to enter the field as registered nurses. The program admits 40 students each fall semester and is highly competitive.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,220 (in-state); $10,440 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: NWCCU

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Oregon

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that about 38,770 registered nurses are employed in the state of Oregon. The median annual salary for RNs in the state is $113,440 � which is well above the national average of $93,600.

Nationally, the job outlook for RNs is expected to improve by 6%, which is faster than average among all occupations. This is good news for nurses in Oregon and throughout the nation, who can expect positive job security over the next several years at least.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Oregon

If you still have questions about becoming a nurse in Oregon, you're not alone. Read on as we answer some commonly asked questions you may be wondering about.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Oregon?

The cost of a nursing degree varies widely depending on the type of degree you pursue and whether you attend a public or private college. Among the schools featured above, average yearly tuition rates range from around $5,000 to more than $50,000. Students are encouraged to explore online colleges that accept FAFSA, as they can earn financial aid to offset some of their costs.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Nursing programs often require students to complete certain courses before they can begin taking nursing classes. These courses are called prerequisites. Common nursing prerequisites include psychology, ethics, pathophysiology, microbiology, and math. Many schools offer self-paced nursing prerequisites online so students can complete them as conveniently as possible.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

If you recently graduated high school, the fastest way to become a nurse is to enroll in an ADN program. These programs commonly take two years to complete, whereas BSN programs take anywhere from three to four years. If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you could complete an accelerated BSN or an MSN program in one year or less, giving you a more accelerated path to a nursing career.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

The easiest nursing degree is typically considered to be an ADN program. This type of degree requires fewer credits than a BSN program and consists of the most introductory college courses; as such, ADN programs focus on essential fundamentals of nursing, whereas other programs are more advanced and contain more in-depth courses. Whatever program you decide to enroll in, choosing the best laptop for nursing students can help make your life easier as you work through your nursing courses.

Find a Nursing Degree

If you're ready to start your path to a rewarding and successful nursing career, check out the schools featured here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the colleges to find out more about their programs and to choose the best option for you.