Career and School Info for Registered Nurses in Oregon

Schools Concentrating On Registered Nurses

• Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Lane Community College, Portland Community College, Linfield, and Chemeketa Community College.

Fastest Response From Schools

• Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.

Student Body

• Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Concordia and George Fox.
• Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Linfield.
• Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Blue Mountain Community College, Lane Community College, Portland Community College, and Chemeketa Community College.
• Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Oregon Coast Community College, Columbia Gorge Community College, Rogue Community College, and Umpqua Community College.

School Setting

• Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of University of Portland, Concordia, George Fox, and Columbia Gorge Community College.
• Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of University of Portland, George Fox, Linfield, and Concordia.

Excellence

• SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at University of Portland.
• Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Oregon Health & Science University, Linfield, University of Portland, and George Fox.

Working as a Registered Nurse in Oregon

Registered nurses (RNs) are responsible for providing direct care to patients and making many decisions about their health, including developing or following a plan of care. RNs supervise the work of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and other staff. Read a detailed Registered Nurse job description and schools overview.

The Oregon Nurses Association can provide additional professional development resources.

State Requirements

The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) requires that registered nurses be licensed before beginning orientation at a place of employment. Requirements for licensure include:

• Graduation from a state-approved nursing program with a practical nursing diploma, certificate or associate's, bachelor's or master's degree in nursing.
• Proof of at least 960 hours of professional experience in the last five years at the level for which they are seeking a license, OR graduation within the last five years from a state-approved nursing program at the level sought for licensure also meets this requirement OR completion of an OSBN-approved re-entry program within the last two years.
• Written verification of a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) or the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) before 1988.
• If applicable, written verification of licensure from the state in which the licensing examination was taken and the state in which the applicant is now practicing or most recently has practiced nursing.
• An academic transcript or other documentation that proves English language proficiency.
• A national criminal background check.