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
Jumpstart a meaningful healthcare career with Clackamas Community College's Nursing Assistant 1 program. In just one term, students gain comprehensive skills to provide compassionate patient care through 72 lecture and lab hours plus 45 clinical experience hours. The affordable $1,573 total program cost prepares graduates to take the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam, positioning them in a field projected to grow 20% by 2030.
Coos Bay, OR - Public 2-Year - socc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Advanced Nursing Assistant Career Pathway Certificate prepares students for comprehensive healthcare roles, equipping them with critical nursing skills and professional certifications. Students gain hands-on clinical experience, learning essential bedside nursing techniques, patient care documentation, and medical record management. The program combines classroom instruction and practical training, leading to Oregon State Board of Nursing-approved CNA Level 1 and Level 2 certifications. Graduates are positioned for immediate employment in healthcare settings, with opportunities to pursue further nursing education.
Klamath Falls, OR - Public 2-Year - klamathcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Klamath Community College's Nursing Assistant Training Course provides comprehensive preparation for the Oregon State Board of Nursing CNA exam. This 5-credit program equips students with essential skills for entry-level healthcare positions in hospitals, doctor's offices, and sub-acute centers. Students learn critical skills including personal care, infection control, safety protocols, and interpersonal communication, positioning themselves for a growing healthcare career with promising job prospects.
Newport, OR - Public 2-Year - oregoncoastcc.org
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Oregon Coast Community College offers a comprehensive Nurse Assistant Level 1 Training Program designed to launch healthcare careers. This 120-hour, 7-credit course meets Oregon State Board of Nursing certification requirements. Students gain essential skills through online lectures, skills lab training, and 40-hour clinical experience in healthcare facilities. The program prepares students to provide compassionate patient care, develop critical bedside nursing skills, and understand client rights across various healthcare settings.
Roseburg, OR - Public 2-Year - umpqua.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Umpqua Community College's Nursing Assistant Level One program provides comprehensive training for healthcare careers. In just 11 weeks, students gain essential skills through classroom, skills lab, and clinical experiences. The robust curriculum prepares learners to take the Oregon State Board of Nursing exam, boasting impressive 93% knowledge and 89% skills first-time pass rates.
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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