Maria Delgado, RN
June 24, 2025
Oregon’s health system relies on Certified Nursing Assistants who use their abbreviation as CNAs for their fundamental role in patient care. Through this position students, career shifters, and recent high school graduates can access a healthcare career path. The combination of flexible working hours and direct patient interactions alongside consistent job availability throughout the state makes CNA training an efficient path toward employment stability while serving as a starting point for future nursing career advancement.
Oregon City, OR - Public 2-Year - clackamas.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Clackamas Community College's Nursing Assistant 1 program provides an accelerated pathway into healthcare, delivering comprehensive training within a single term. Students engage in an intensive curriculum combining 72 hours of lecture and lab instruction with 45 clinical experience hours. Designed for aspiring healthcare professionals, the program offers an affordable $1,573 total cost and prepares graduates to successfully challenge the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam. Ideal for individuals 18 and older with a high school diploma, this limited entry program positions students to enter a rapidly expanding field projected to grow 20% by 2030, offering versatile career opportunities across diverse healthcare settings.
Coos Bay, OR - Public 2-Year - socc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Southwestern Oregon Community College's Advanced Nursing Assistant Career Pathway Certificate offers a robust healthcare training program designed to rapidly prepare students for professional nursing roles. Through a strategic blend of theoretical classroom learning and intensive clinical practice, students master critical patient care techniques, medical documentation, and healthcare communication skills. The comprehensive curriculum leads to Oregon State Board of Nursing-approved Level 1 and Level 2 CNA certifications, ensuring graduates are immediately employable. With 19 credit hours and advanced health information technology integration, the program positions students for immediate healthcare employment and potential future nursing education pathways.
Klamath Falls, OR - Public 2-Year - klamathcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Klamath Community College's Nursing Assistant Training Course offers a strategic pathway into healthcare through its comprehensive 5-credit HEA 100 program. Meticulously designed to align with Oregon State Board of Nursing requirements, the course transforms students into skilled CNAs ready for diverse medical environments. Trainees master critical competencies like patient care techniques, infection prevention, and professional communication. With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, students gain practical skills that directly translate to hospitals, clinics, and sub-acute care facilities. The program's robust curriculum ensures graduates are well-positioned for a rapidly expanding healthcare sector, boasting a projected 12% employment growth and a promising median salary of $48,420 in Oregon.
Newport, OR - Public 2-Year - oregoncoastcc.org
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Oregon Coast Community College's Nurse Assistant Level 1 Training Program provides a robust healthcare career pathway through an innovative hybrid learning model. Students engage in a comprehensive 120-hour curriculum spanning online lectures, hands-on skills laboratory training, and a critical 40-hour clinical practicum. The program's strategic design meets Oregon State Board of Nursing certification requirements, equipping participants with comprehensive patient care techniques, ethical considerations, and practical bedside skills. Learners develop competencies in client interaction, medical documentation, and fundamental healthcare protocols, positioning graduates for immediate employment in diverse healthcare environments.
Roseburg, OR - Public 2-Year - umpqua.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Umpqua Community College's Nursing Assistant Level One program stands out as a rapid and intensive pathway into healthcare. Students complete a concise 11-week curriculum that seamlessly blends classroom instruction, hands-on skills laboratory training, and crucial clinical experiences. The program's exceptional strength lies in its high-performance outcomes, with remarkable 93% first-time knowledge exam pass rates and 89% skills evaluation success. Learners receive comprehensive preparation for the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification, ensuring graduates are immediately employable in diverse healthcare settings. Strategic coursework focuses on essential patient care techniques, medical terminology, and practical clinical competencies.
Oregon does not allow full online CNA training because direct patient contact during hands-on training remains essential. The majority of education providers now combine web-based delivery of lectures and readings with physical campus-based skills practice and clinical hours. The training schedule includes online module completion throughout the week followed by practice sessions for blood pressure checks and patient transfers which lead to weekend clinical rotations at local care facilities. Students who want to attend daytime classes can choose the traditional classroom format.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Clackamas Community College |
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| Umpqua Community College |
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| Southwestern Oregon Community College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | Complete a Board-approved CNA program within one year, hold CPR and cultural competency certifications, clear a fingerprint background check, and meet health requirements |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Oregon State Board of Nursing – Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | 155 hours total (80 classroom/lab including skills lab, 75 supervised clinical) |
| Exam and Application Fees | No state application fee, vendor-set exam and fingerprint fees apply |
| Certification Exam | Pass the written/oral knowledge test and a five-skill practical evaluation within one year |
| Registry Activation Time | Added to the registry within three business days of passing both exam components |
| Renewal Requirements | Every two years, complete 400 hours of paid CNA work under RN/LPN supervision |
| License by Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs with active certification and 400 work hours transfer via reciprocity without retesting |
New CNA employees in Oregon typically earn eighteen dollars per hour when working in long-term care facilities but their hourly rate reaches twenty dollars or more with hospital jobs or experience and night shift duties. Urban areas of Portland and Bend typically offer higher average salaries compared to rural regions since they reflect both the higher cost of living and increased competition for workers. According to state labor projections Oregon will maintain a steady employment demand because the aging population generates hundreds of annual new positions or replacements. The shortage of available positions within the industry gives job candidates increased bargaining power when discussing work hours and benefits with their employers.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Oregon | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $40,399 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $19.42 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$48,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $40,399 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$31,390 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~4,000 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Clackamas Community College |
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| Klamath Community College |
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| Umpqua Community College |
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A CNA certificate provides the first step toward continuous healthcare career advancement. Aides who move on to Licensed Practical Nurse programs complete one year of study to obtain increased responsibilities and higher compensation. Admission committees at various nursing degree programs evaluate CNA experience because it demonstrates students’ comfort with patient care. Hospitals together with clinics and long-term care facilities provide support for professional growth through tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling, and mentorship programs. The specialty positions of restorative aide, medication aide, and care coordinator allow CNAs to build leadership abilities.
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