ACNP Programs in Oregon (Online & Campus) – 2026


Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Can a degree from one of the ACNP programs in Oregon help you earn a higher salary and open up new professional opportunities for you with more job security? Definitely! As an acute care nurse practitioner in the Beaver State, you'll make $148,480 annually, and over the coming decade, your employment opportunities will increase by 53 percent. Acute care NPs are mainstays of many emergency rooms and intensive care units throughout the state. Could this nurse practitioner specialty be the right choice for you? Learn for yourself by reading this list of the 10 best ACNP programs in Oregon.



FOLLOWING ARE THE ACNP PROGRAMS IN OREGON (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online ACNP programs in Oregon.)


1. Oregon Health & Science University - Portland


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Dual Pediatric Primary and Acute Nurse Practitioner


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Are you a Registered Nurse who enjoys the fast pace and challenges that come with providing acute care to patients? Have you considered returning to school to earn a degree that offers a broader scope of practice and greater autonomy? If so, becoming an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner is an option worth considering. Depending on where you live, there are excellent programs designed to prepare you for the role of an ACNP.

For example, Oregon Health & Science University offers two pathways for nurses seeking ACNP programs in Oregon. At OHSU, you can choose to pursue the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or the Dual Pediatric Primary and Acute Nurse Practitioner pathway. Admission to each program occurs in the fall semester each year. It takes an average of three years or 11 semesters to complete the program.

One of the most appealing aspects of the BSN-to-DNP program at OHSU is that it is offered in a hybrid format, combining online coursework with in-person labs, simulations, and clinical practicums. This learning modality makes the program an ideal choice for working nurses or those who require flexible scheduling while pursuing an advanced degree.

The Adult-Gerontology ACNP program features a 106-credit curriculum. The Dual Pediatric Primary and Acute NP pathway consists of a 111-credit curriculum. Coursework for both pathways begins with advanced practice core courses, including Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology, Principles of Pharmacology & Prescribing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and Ethics for the Advanced Practice Nurse. Each pathway includes population-specific, acute care specialty courses designed to prepare you for the role of an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in either Adult-Gerontology or Pediatric Acute and Primary Care.

All post-baccalaureate DNP students complete a DNP Scholarly Project to demonstrate their ability to apply evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes. The DNP Project spans several semesters and consists of proposal, development, implementation, and dissemination. Additionally, all DNP students complete at least 1,000 clinical hours across various acute care settings. Your clinical experiences in the program are designed to prepare you to build competency in managing high-acuity patients in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an active Oregon RN license by the time you start the program. To apply, you must complete an application through NursingCAS. The application requires submission of three letters of reference, a professional resume, and answers to essay questions. You also need to submit transcripts from each college or university you previously attended. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for all college courses, including science courses, is required, as well as completion of a college-level statistics course with a grade of “B-” or better. You must also provide proof of current BLS and ACLS certifications.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• One of the most essential components of any Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program is clinical practicums. Oregon Health & Sciences University works closely with healthcare partners across the state to secure clinical contracts and to identify appropriate placements and preceptors. As a student in one of the ACNP programs, you may complete clinicals in settings, including OHSU Hospitals, regional medical centers, the VA Portland Health Care System, and specialty outpatient clinics.
• At Oregon Health & Sciences Center, you will learn from expert faculty whose goals are to advance nursing practice, interdisciplinary research, and health equity. Each faculty member is an experienced clinician and educator dedicated to your personal and professional growth and success. Most faculty remain practicing clinicians, which means they are abreast of current trends and changes in healthcare. Their dedication to clinical practice is part of why you can feel assured of being well-prepared by the program to transition to a new role as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
• According to OHSU, most graduates of the ACNP programs pass their national certification exam on their first attempt. The high pass rate on these exams supports the school’s claim that it provides a high-quality program designed to prepare each student with the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful ACNP.
• Oregon Health & Sciences Center is the only public academic health center in Oregon. The school offers unparalleled access to cutting-edge, state-of-the-art clinical environments, interprofessional collaboration, and opportunities to engage with and care for individuals in underserved populations. When you pursue your degree at OHSC, you will become part of a community of healthcare leaders committed to compassion, discovery, and lifelong learning, values that shape every aspect of professional nursing.
• An important factor to consider when seeking an ACNP program in Oregon is the amount of student support that is available. At Oregon Health & Science Center, you will have access to academic advisors, faculty, and preceptors with decades of experience. Each member of the faculty and support staff will work with you to develop individualized plans designed to meet the competencies required to sit for national certification in your chosen specialty.
• In my experience teaching nursing and allied health, I often participated in student recruitment and retention efforts. One of the main concerns of prospective students was how to finance their education. At Oregon Health & Sciences Center, over 298 grants and scholarships totaling nearly $4 million were awarded in the 2024-2025 school year. Financial aid advisors are available to help determine which types of aid for which you may be eligible. OHSU scholarships for nursing students typically range between $1,000 and $12,000.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



HOW MUCH DO ACNP GRADUATES MAKE IN OREGON?


WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF ACNP PROGRAMS IN OREGON EXPECT?


Hourly$52.52
Weekly$2,101
Monthly$9,100
Annual$109,240


HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF ACNP PROGRAMS IN OREGON EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?


Level of ExperienceHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Entry-Level$52.52$2,101$9,100$109,240
1-4 Years of Experience$59.42$2,377$10,300$123,600
5-9 Years of Experience$70.14$2,806$12,160$145,900
10-19 Years of Experience$78.12$3,125$13,540$162,490
20 Years or More Experience$93.35$3,734$16,180$194,170


WHAT IS THE AVERAGE ACNP SALARY IN OREGON?


Hourly$71.38
Weekly$2,855
Monthly$12,370
Annual$148,480


HOW MUCH DO ACNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF OREGON?


MetroHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Albany$74.48$2,979$12,910$154,910
Bend-Redmond$65.47$2,619$11,350$136,180
Corvallis$66.37$2,655$11,500$138,040
Eugene$67.47$2,699$11,690$140,330
Grants Pass$65.83$2,633$11,410$136,920
Medford$71.60$2,864$12,410$148,920
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro$73.63$2,945$12,760$153,150
Salem$73.75$2,950$12,780$153,390



ACNP SALARY IN OREGON VS. OTHER SALARIES


ACNP SALARY IN OREGON VS. ACNP SALARY IN THE NATION


Average Oregon
ACNP Annual Salary
Average National
ACNP Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
$148,480$131,620+$16,860+12.81%


ACNP SALARY IN OREGON VS. ACNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES


StateAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
California$165,480-$17,000-10.27%
Nevada$152,290-$3,810-2.50%
Washington$148,940-$460-0.31%
New Jersey$148,560-$80-0.05%
Oregon$148,480$00.00%
Massachusetts$147,520+$960+0.65%
New York$146,310+$2,170+1.48%
Connecticut$140,320+$8,160+5.82%
New Mexico$140,100+$8,380+5.98%
Minnesota$138,300+$10,180+7.36%
District of Columbia$138,130+$10,350+7.49%
Rhode Island$136,710+$11,770+8.61%
Hawaii$135,840+$12,640+9.31%
Arizona$135,790+$12,690+9.35%
Delaware$134,300+$14,180+10.56%
Iowa$134,010+$14,470+10.80%
New Hampshire$133,920+$14,560+10.87%
Texas$133,180+$15,300+11.49%
Wisconsin$131,460+$17,020+12.95%
Maryland$131,110+$17,370+13.25%
Utah$130,930+$17,550+13.40%
North Dakota$130,870+$17,610+13.46%
Pennsylvania$130,550+$17,930+13.73%
Illinois$129,990+$18,490+14.22%
Alaska$129,240+$19,240+14.89%
Vermont$129,170+$19,310+14.95%
Montana$127,680+$20,800+16.29%
Idaho$127,580+$20,900+16.38%
Oklahoma$127,360+$21,120+16.58%
Wyoming$126,570+$21,910+17.31%
Indiana$126,320+$22,160+17.54%
Maine$125,930+$22,550+17.91%
Ohio$125,860+$22,620+17.97%
Colorado$124,960+$23,520+18.82%
Nebraska$124,640+$23,840+19.13%
North Carolina$124,550+$23,930+19.21%
Georgia$124,100+$24,380+19.65%
South Dakota$123,930+$24,550+19.81%
Virginia$123,810+$24,670+19.93%
Michigan$123,620+$24,860+20.11%
Florida$122,630+$25,850+21.08%
Kansas$122,180+$26,300+21.53%
Louisiana$121,560+$26,920+22.15%
Mississippi$120,350+$28,130+23.37%
South Carolina$119,790+$28,690+23.95%
Missouri$119,520+$28,960+24.23%
West Virginia$116,210+$32,270+27.77%
Arkansas$116,170+$32,310+27.81%
Kentucky$113,060+$35,420+31.33%
Alabama$112,700+$35,780+31.75%
Tennessee$106,250+$42,230+39.75%


ACNP SALARY IN OREGON VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN OREGON


Type of NurseAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Nurse Anesthetist$215,260-$66,780-31.02%
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner$148,480$00.00%
Nurse Midwife$139,490+$8,990+6.44%
Registered Nurse$113,440+$35,040+30.89%
Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary$109,110+$39,370+36.08%
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse$71,180+$77,300+108.60%
Nursing Assistant$46,970+$101,510+216.12%


ACNP SALARY IN OREGON VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN OREGON


Job TitleAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Dentist$177,440-$28,960-16.32%
Pharmacist$149,550-$1,070-0.72%
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner$148,480$00.00%
Physician Assistant$141,810+$6,670+4.70%
Optometrist$130,280+$18,200+13.97%
Radiation Therapist$118,950+$29,530+24.83%
Veterinarian$115,080+$33,400+29.02%
Dental Hygienist$103,440+$45,040+43.54%
Occupational Therapist$100,910+$47,570+47.14%
Physical Therapist$100,310+$48,170+48.02%
Speech-Language Pathologist$98,900+$49,580+50.13%
Audiologist$97,880+$50,600+51.70%
Chiropractor$90,590+$57,890+63.90%



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Who Accredits ACNP Programs In Oregon?


S.No.Accrediting Agency
1Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
2Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)


2. How Many Accredited ACNP Schools Are There In Oregon?


1


3. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Hour In Oregon?


$71.38


4. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Week In Oregon?


$2,855


5. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Month In Oregon?


$12,370


6. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Year In Oregon?


$148,480


7. What Is The Job Outlook For ACNPs In Oregon?


10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030)
+52.68%


Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).



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