Maria Delgado, RN
June 4, 2025
LPNs provide crucial bedside care for patients by following orders from registered nurses or physicians. LPNs serve as crucial healthcare personnel throughout Oregon especially in facilities that provide long-term care and rural healthcare services. The LPN’s work duties include checking patient health status and helping with personal care while keeping track of any changes in patient condition. The combination of Oregon’s aging population with its healthcare system growth makes LPNs essential for delivering prompt and compassionate patient care.
Portland, OR - Private 4-year - sumnercollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Sumner College's Practical Nursing Program in Portland is a 50-week diploma offering, approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing and accredited by ABHES. It emphasizes hands-on training to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam and licensure as practical nurses. With no concentration specified, the program focuses on comprehensive clinical skills. Admissions involve meeting specific criteria, and financial aid is available for eligible students. This campus-based program ensures readiness for entry into the nursing workforce.
Klamath Falls, OR - Public 2-Year - klamathcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Klamath Community College's Practical Nurse Certificate is a one-year intensive program preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam to become LPNs. It uniquely emphasizes rural community nursing through a concept-based curriculum, focusing on deep understanding of patient care concepts. Admission is competitive, requiring a 3.0 GPA and prerequisites in science, communication, and health sciences, with no entrance exam specified. The program includes 48 credit hours, clinical practice, and advanced placement opportunities, ensuring comprehensive preparation for healthcare roles.
Roseburg, OR - Public 2-Year - umpqua.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Umpqua Community College's Practical Nursing program in Roseburg is OSBN-approved, offering a campus-based curriculum that emphasizes clinical training in modern facilities. It prepares students for the PN-NCLEX exam to become Licensed Practical Nurses, focusing on evidence-based practice, critical thinking, teamwork, and ethical care. Part of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education, the program includes competency-based learning and financial aid opportunities, ideal for those committed to healthcare careers without a specified concentration.
Bend, OR - Public 2-Year - cocc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Central Oregon Community College's Practical Nursing program is a two-year certificate that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and licensure. It features a unique pathway allowing progression to RN training after the first year. Prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, ensuring a solid foundation in clinical skills and patient care. With a total cost around $2,800 and selective admission, it emphasizes hands-on training and quality healthcare delivery, approved by the Oregon State Board. No entrance exam is required for this practical nursing program.
Salem, OR - Public 4-Year - chemeketa.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, offers a campus-based Practical Nursing Certificate program focused on preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, safety, and ethical practices, with hands-on clinical experience in healthcare settings. Admission requires prerequisite courses, a criminal background check, drug screening, and immunizations. The program is known for high completion and NCLEX-PN pass rates, supported by scholarships and financial aid options, making it an accessible and effective pathway into nursing.
Oregon does not provide fully online LPN programs because nursing education requires practical clinical training. Some educational institutions in Oregon provide students with hybrid learning options which combine virtual classroom study with direct patient care experiences at medical facilities. Students can complete their theoretical education through online learning while completing their clinical and laboratory requirements in person. Different programs provide varying levels of flexibility through their schedules which include part-time and evening or weekend classes for working students. Students complete their theoretical work through online lectures, quizzes, and assignments while they attend laboratory and clinical sessions at specific facilities.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Chemeketa Community College |
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| Sumner College |
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| Klamath Community College |
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| Certifying Board | Oregon State Board of Nursing |
|---|---|
| Certification | National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) via Pearson VUE |
| Educational Prerequisite | Graduation from an OSBN-approved practical nursing program, with official transcript and affidavit of graduation submitted by the school |
| Application & Fees | $160 state licensure-by-exam fee, $200 Pearson VUE NCLEX-PN exam fee, $70.50 digital fingerprint/background check fee, $9 Nursing Advancement Fund surcharge, $4 Workforce Data Analysis Fund surcharge |
| Application Processing Time | Eligibility review and Authorization to Test issued in 1–2 weeks, permanent license generally issued 2–3 weeks after passing NCLEX and receipt of all requirements |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal on your birth date with a $145 renewal fee plus applicable surcharges |
| Continuing Competency | Completion of required pain management and cultural competency education for initial licensure and per Board requirements at renewal |
| Licensure by Endorsement | $195 endorsement fee, primary-source verification of a current unrestricted LPN license via NURSYS, proof of recent practice or equivalent, fingerprint/background check |
The wages LPNs receive in Oregon exceed the countrywide average. LPN professionals in Oregon receive an average annual compensation of about $73,000 although this amount depends on their experience level and location as well as their workplace setting. LPNs working in cities and specialized care centers tend to receive higher salaries compared to those who work in rural areas. The high demand for healthcare services in Oregon creates secure employment conditions and multiple job openings within the sector. Long-term care facilities together with outpatient clinics and home health services maintain their position as leading employers of LPNs throughout the state.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Oregon | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual LVN Salary | $58,325 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $28.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$65,183 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $58,325 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$52,577 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | 20.3% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~2,900 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Central Oregon Community College |
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| Umpqua Community College |
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| Chemeketa Community College |
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LPNs working in Oregon possess multiple professional advancement choices which become available after completing additional education or specialized training. The standard progression for LPNs involves entering an LPN-to-RN bridge program which leads to obtaining an associate degree in nursing and resulting RN licensure. Students can complete these programs more quickly because the programs provide prior learning credit for both coursework and experience. The pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in nursing provides LPNs with additional career opportunities beyond their current scope.
Additional Nursing Programs in Oregon
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