
Maria Delgado, RN
June 26, 2025
Oregon’s nursing education offerings span a full spectrum of career levels, from foundational certification to advanced clinical practice. Whether you’re beginning your journey as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from a Registered Nurse (RN) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or preparing for advanced practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s community colleges, universities, and healthcare systems blend rigorous academics with immersive clinical experiences. With options for hands‑on practicums at accredited healthcare facilities and flexible online coursework tailored to busy schedules, Oregon’s nursing programs equip graduates with the skills, professional credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to excel across diverse care settings.
McMinnville, OR - Private 4-year - linfield.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Linfield University's BSN program provides a comprehensive nursing education that distinguishes itself through a unique commitment to social justice and holistic healthcare preparation. Students benefit from an innovative curriculum spanning four semesters with flexible fall and spring admissions. The program strategically integrates advanced technology with rigorous nursing theory, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for complex healthcare environments. Emphasizing care for underrepresented populations, students develop professional skills tailored to national licensure requirements. With state-of-the-art facilities and a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge and practical experience, Linfield prepares nurses who are not just clinically competent, but socially conscious healthcare professionals ready to make meaningful contributions to patient care.
Portland, OR - Private 4-year - sumnercollege.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Sumner College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program delivers a comprehensive pathway to registered nursing through an innovative hybrid model. Students benefit from a flexible 32-month curriculum that eliminates traditional prerequisites and offers rolling enrollment. The program uniquely combines online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for Oregon's growing healthcare landscape. With a remarkable 98% retention rate and CCNE accreditation, students can anticipate strong job prospects in a field projected to grow 15.2% regionally. The admission process includes TEAS exam evaluation, panel interviews, and essay assessments, providing a holistic approach to student selection. Affordable tuition at $510 per credit and the ability to transfer up to 25% of credits enhance the program's accessibility.
Eugene, OR - Private 4-year - bushnell.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bushnell University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers a comprehensive educational pathway for aspiring nurses, grounded in a Christian worldview. Students benefit from a rigorous curriculum emphasizing evidence-based practice, leadership development, and quality improvement. The campus-based program provides extensive hands-on clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings, enabling students to develop critical professional skills. With a focus on ethical leadership and compassionate care, graduates are prepared to excel in dynamic healthcare environments. The program requires applicants to demonstrate academic potential and a genuine commitment to nursing as a calling. Small class sizes ensure personalized learning and mentorship opportunities.
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Bushnell University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) represents a fast-track nursing education designed for career changers and motivated learners. This intensive 12-month program boasts an impressive 100% NCLEX pass rate and 93.85% completion rate. Students engage in comprehensive clinical rotations across acute care hospitals, community clinics, and specialty healthcare facilities. The curriculum combines rigorous academic preparation with practical skill development, emphasizing ethical leadership and evidence-based practice. With competitive tuition at $1,225 per credit and multiple financial aid options, the program provides an accessible pathway to nursing licensure. Two annual start dates offer flexibility for prospective students seeking an accelerated nursing career.
Klamath Falls, OR - Public 2-Year - klamathcc.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Klamath Community College's online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) represents a strategic solution for registered nurses seeking degree advancement with minimal disruption. Targeting working professionals, the program requires only 60 additional credits, enabling nurses to progress academically while maintaining employment. Specifically designed to address nursing shortages in rural regions, this innovative curriculum supports RNs with associate degrees to complete their bachelor's efficiently. The program's six-college consortium approach and flexible online format make higher education accessible, with a total 180-credit requirement and transfer-friendly policies that ensure no credit loss for incoming students.
Portland, OR - Private 4-year - warnerpacific.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Warner Pacific University's Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers an immersive educational journey for aspiring healthcare professionals in Portland. Accredited by CCNE, the program emphasizes comprehensive nursing education with a strong focus on holistic patient care. Students engage in a curriculum rich with advanced clinical training, covering critical areas like anatomy, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice. The program requires a 2.5 GPA for admission and includes a mandatory nursing application essay. Graduates are strategically prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and excel in diverse healthcare environments, with an emphasis on leadership, ethical practice, and compassionate patient interaction. ACT or SAT entrance exams are typically required for admission consideration.
Oregon’s LPN programs combine coursework in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. Students develop practical skills administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and earning Oregon licensure, graduates bolster the practical nursing workforce, improving access to quality care from Portland’s urban centers to the state’s coastal and mountain communities.
Oregon’s CNA programs deliver six to twelve weeks of focused training in patient hygiene, infection control, and vital‑sign checks, accompanied by supervised clinical practicums. Participants refine their ability to assist with daily‑living activities, maintain accurate records, and communicate effectively with nursing staff. Once certified, CNAs reinforce care teams in hospitals, long‑term care homes, and clinics. Their efforts ensure that patients receive consistent, compassionate support.
Oregon’s RN to BSN offerings equip licensed nurses to advance their practice through a mix of interactive online coursework, covering clinical leadership, population health, informatics and health policy, and hands-on practicums in both coastal hospitals and high-desert clinics. Designed for working professionals, these bridge programs come in flexible part-time and accelerated formats, so you can continue your job while earning a bachelor’s degree. Completing a BSN sharpens skills in evidence-driven care coordination and systems thinking, aligns with employer and accreditation requirements, and unlocks roles in specialty certification, management and community health across Oregon.
Oregon’s Nurse Practitioner programs take nurses with a BSN into advanced-practice roles by combining in-depth graduate coursework with robust clinical immersions, generally completed over two to four years, in specialties like family health, pediatric care, and psychiatric-mental health. Delivered through on-campus cohorts, hybrid models, and fully online tracks at universities and health systems statewide, these MSN and DNP pathways equip graduates for APRN certification and Oregon licensure. Once credentialed, NPs step into vital roles as primary care providers, chronic illness coordinators, and telehealth practitioners in Portland-area hospitals, community clinics in the Willamette Valley, and rural coastal and mountain communities. By broadening the pool of highly trained clinicians and extending advanced nursing services into underserved regions, NP programs are key to strengthening Oregon’s healthcare network.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Available, many linked to BSN via OCNE partnerships, BSN strongly preferred |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Oregon |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 state, BSN-prepared nurses preferred, strong RN-to-BSN support |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs practice independently statewide |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs practice independently statewide |
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