Licensure

Oregon Nursing Schools And Programs

Oregon nurses are among the best paid in the country, partly because the state is largely rural with many medically underserved areas and works hard to recrui…

state-guide

Oregon nurses are among the best paid in the country, partly because the state is largely rural with many medically underserved areas and works hard to recruit staff and faculty. The Oregon Nurses Association has also won staffing laws through the legislature that set nurse-to-patient ratios, which protects both nurses and patient outcomes. This guide covers the schools, the licensing steps, and the salary and job outlook.

Nursing Schools in Oregon

Oregon programs enroll roughly 2,600 students a year and graduate about 960 nurses. The schools below run from community college associate degrees through the BSN. Compare them on accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, cost, and clinical placement.

George Fox University (Christian) emphasizes compassionate care, with seven clinical experiences in urban, rural, and international settings. Courses include nursing care of the childbearing family, evidence-based practice, and population health.

Program: BSN
Campus: Newberg
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $38,860/year
Admission: 3.0 GPA in prerequisites and first four semesters
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.8%
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $74,307 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

University of Portland frames its 122-credit BSN around social justice for vulnerable populations. Courses cover population health, healthcare innovation, leadership, and holistic generalist care, with 765 clinical hours often completed at a partner hospital.

Program: BSN
Campus: Portland
Type: Private
Accreditation: CCNE
Tuition: $49,424/year
Admission: Chemistry and biology prerequisites
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90%
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $78,612 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

Chemeketa Community College offers a two-year RN program and an LPN-to-RN track. Graduates can transfer into Oregon Health and Science University's BSN. Courses include entry into practice, complex health problems, and urgent and community care.

Program: ASN
Campus: Salem
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACEN
Tuition: $130/credit in-state; $295 out-of-state
Admission: High school diploma or GED
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $71,734 (associate), per College Scorecard

Umpqua Community College offers an associate in nursing covering clinical pharmacology, acute and chronic care, and pathophysiology. Graduates can move into the OHSU BSN through a consortium of Oregon schools.

Program: AAS in nursing
Campus: Roseburg
Type: Public
Tuition: $104/credit in-state; $121 out-of-state
Admission: 30 prerequisite credits with minimum C grades, passing proctored essay
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.9%
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $70,736 (associate), per College Scorecard

Portland Community College provides a two-year program that partially fulfills RN requirements, with courses in clinical pharmacology and the foundations of acute and chronic care.

Program: Associate in nursing
Campus: Portland
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACEN
Tuition: $123/credit in-state; $253 out-of-state
Admission: 45 prerequisite credits with minimum C grades
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.8%
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $71,015 (associate), per College Scorecard

Clackamas Community College offers a 90-93 credit, hands-on associate degree covering chronic illness, acute care, pharmacology, health promotion, and end-of-life care. Credits transfer to OHSU's RN-to-BSN.

Program: AAS in nursing
Campus: Oregon City
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACEN
Tuition: $111/credit in-state; $277 out-of-state
Admission: Special application only
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.5%

Lane Community College runs an LPN-to-RN bridge and a 90-credit associate degree (45 general education credits) that partially fulfills RN requirements. Coursework covers clinical pharmacology and pathophysiology, with nine practicum credits.

Program: AAS in nursing
Campus: Eugene
Type: Public
Tuition: $121/credit in-state; $280 out-of-state
Admission: High school diploma or GED
Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.8%
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $68,422 (associate), per College Scorecard

Mt. Hood Community College accepts new students each fall and offers advanced placement for LPNs and military medics. Courses include perioperative nursing, and students study full time during the day.

Program: AAS in nursing
Campus: Gresham
Type: Public
Tuition: $140/credit in-state; $260 out-of-state
Admission: Nursing prerequisite courses
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.4%

Klamath Community College offers a 90-credit associate degree with prerequisites, a technical core, clinical experiences in Klamath or Lake County, and a capstone. Courses include health and illness concepts and the foundations of practice.

Program: AAS in nursing
Campus: Klamath Falls
Type: Public
Tuition: $105/credit in-state; $178 out-of-state
Admission: Prerequisites with a 3.0 GPA
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%

Linn-Benton Community College emphasizes evidence-based practice and culturally sensitive care, with a campus skills lab and off-campus clinicals across settings. Courses cover care across the lifespan and drug therapy. The school maintains relationships with nearby RN-to-BSN programs.

Program: AAS in nursing
Campus: Albany
Type: Public
Tuition: $140/credit in-state; $308 out-of-state
Admission: See LBCC's nursing bulletin for prerequisites and point system
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 83%
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $71,686 (associate), per College Scorecard

How to Choose a Program

Pick the format that fits your life, then weigh tuition and financial aid, since costs vary widely. Some programs offer work-study, and the state has several nursing scholarships and grants:

A faculty shortage shapes admissions. Per the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, schools nationwide turned away 80,407 qualified applicants in 2019-2020, largely because of faculty shortages, and Oregon felt the same pressure. Two numbers tell you the most about a program's quality: its NCLEX pass rate and its accreditation. Confirm the school is accredited by CCNE or ACEN, since many state boards license only graduates of accredited programs.

Why Become a Nurse in Oregon

Portland's OHSU Hospital and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center rank nationally in adult and children's specialties. The Oregon Nurses Association actively pushes for staffing protections, including limits on mandatory overtime and a Nursing Staff Advisory Board. After ONA found in 2021 that several hospitals deviated from staffing ratios during the state of emergency, the legislature passed House Bill 3016, which tightened hospital staffing-plan rules. House Bill 403 created a nursing intern license, letting students with at least one year of school and a passed skills test provide some supervised patient care.

Two structural notes: Oregon is not a right-to-work state, and it is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an Oregon license does not let you practice across state lines.

Salary and Job Outlook

Oregon consistently ranks among the five highest-paying states for nurses. As of May 2024, RNs in the state averaged about $113,000 a year, well above the national median of $93,600, and nurse practitioners earned roughly $148,000. Projections Central puts RN job growth around 15.2% and nurse practitioner growth around 32%, below the national NP projection of 45%.

The tradeoff is cost. Oregon's cost-of-living index sits around 113 against a national baseline of 100, driven largely by housing near 149. Metro areas pay the most, with Portland, Eugene, and the Medford and Salem areas at the top, but living costs there run higher too.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Oregon

You can start as a CNA or LPN, but RN licensure requires completing an accredited ADN or BSN, then passing the NCLEX-RN. A BSN is the credential most employers prefer, and every path can ladder up to it.

RN Requirements

Complete an accredited ADN or BSN, which qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN. Apply through the Oregon State Board of Nursing, which regulates nursing education, licensure, and practice. First-time, endorsement, and renewal applications all run through the online portal. Licensure by examination and endorsement both require a national criminal background check, official transcripts, and, for endorsement, verification of your current RN license. Licenses renew every two years with continuing education that includes pain management. Confirm current fees and CE hours with the board.

APRN Requirements

Earn an accredited MSN or DNP, hold an unencumbered Oregon RN license (you can apply for RN licensure at the same time if coming from another state), and provide national certification. Submit source documents for your education and certification. Prescriptive privileges carry additional requirements and fees. RN and APRN licenses expire every two years. Confirm current fees with the board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are nurses in demand in Oregon?

Yes, especially in rural areas. A faculty shortage at nursing schools limits how many qualified applicants programs can accept each year, which keeps demand for nurses high.

How long does it take to become an RN in Oregon?

An ADN or BSN takes two to four years, and most programs require completing nursing prerequisites first.

How much does an Oregon nursing license cost?

Fees differ for licensure by examination versus endorsement, and APRN applications carry their own fee plus charges for a background check and prescriptive privileges. Check the Oregon State Board of Nursing for current amounts.

What is the average NCLEX-RN pass rate in Oregon?

Per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the first-time pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates in Oregon was 90.1% in 2020, above the national rate of 86.6%.