3 Best Accredited BSN Programs in Oregon – 2024

Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Oregon will prepare you for a career as an RN. If you are considering this education path, qualities like dedication, the desire to help others, and a strong work ethic will serve you well. It is a lucrative career choice as RNs with BSNs in OR earn an average of $112,410 annually. What’s more, 13,580 positions for BSN degree holders will be added in the next 5 years, driving demand for well-educated RNs. To help you move forward on your path to become an RN in Oregon we have ranked the 3 best out of the 12 Oregon State Board of Nursing approved BSN programs.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS

Why BSN is the Most Preferred Nursing Program for RNs in Oregon?

Oregon Annual Salary	BSN	ADN	Difference
	$112,410	$97,950	+$14,460
(Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Per a report released by the Oregon Center for Nursing in 2016 called the Characteristics of the Nursing Workforce, the number of practicing RNs with BSN degrees surpassed the number of practicing RNs with ADN degrees in 2011. Since that year, the gap continues to widen as more employers across the state hire RNs with higher education. The additional knowledge and skills afforded by the in-depth BSN program makes these RNs more valuable, especially in terms of patient outcomes. What's more, RNs across Oregon earn significantly higher salaries when they have BSN degrees, and they enjoy better job security, as well.

What Will I Learn During my BSN?

Earning your BSN degree in OR will provide you with the skills you need to provide quality ethical healthcare to children, adults, and the elderly in various situations. You will learn to take medical histories, use critical thinking skills to diagnose illness and injury, assist in the creation of care and treatment plans, and communicate effectively with patients, their caregivers, and other medical staff. You will also learn how to care for patients compassionately as you maintain their privacy and dignity.

Typical Oregon BSN Program Information

Program Length: BSN programs in OR take between three and four years to complete.

Program Cost: The cost of your BSN program in the state of Oregon will vary depending on the school you choose. On average, you will pay anywhere from $126,351 to $191,384 total for all four years. These totals include both your tuition and the additional costs associated with books and supplies. Smaller schools typically offer more affordable programs; state universities and colleges are costlier.

Tuition & Fees	$122,023 - $180,993
Books & Supplies	$4,328 - $10,391
Total Cost	$126,351 - $191,384

(Source: In-House Research)

Curriculum: The state of Oregon requires individuals earning their BSN degrees to complete both general education and nursing-related courses in order to graduate. Many schools require you to complete the general education coursework with a minimum GPA, then reapply for the nursing program. Others will allow you to complete both requirements side-by-side without reapplying.


Clinical Training: Clinical training is hands-on training that gives you the opportunity to put the skills and information you learn in the classroom to the test. The number of hours you will need varies from school to school, but on average, you will need to complete some 240 hours of clinical training in order to complete the program. Clinicals take place in nearby hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, and you will likely need to put in some hours in each of these environments during the program.

NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation: A BSN program in OR is designed to provide you with all the knowledge necessary to pass the NCLEX-RN examination, which is a requirement to practice in this state. The NCLEX-RN examination is very rigorous and requires you to demonstrate your overall comprehension of the nursing program along with your ability to practice as a licensed registered nurse.

Admission Requirements: In order to be accepted into an Oregon nursing school, you must be able to meet the specific school's requirements for admission. These can and often do vary, and requirements for the most lucrative schools are often very strict. On average, though, schools across the state will require you to have the following:

• A high school diploma or GED.
• A GPA of at least 2.5, though 3.0 is preferable.
• A negative drug screening and criminal background check.
• Proof of prerequisite courses, such as chemistry and physiology, which vary from school to school.
• SAT scores of 1300 or higher or ACT scores of 32 or higher.

Three Important Factors You Must Pay Attention to While Selecting a BSN Program

1. Approved by Oregon State Board of Nursing: To practice as an RN in Oregon, you must pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Only BSN programs approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing qualify you to appear for the exam.

2. ACEN or CCNE Accreditation: Being relevant in today's busy and crowded workforce is often trying, and that's why it is so very important to choose an accredited school. Both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) provide accreditation to BSN programs in Oregon, so it is vital that you choose programs accredited by one of these bodies. They set important standards for BSN programs, and schools accredited by these organizations have proven their dedication to quality education.

3. NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: Because one of the primary goals of a BSN program involves preparing you to pass the NCLEX-RN examination, a school's NCLEX-RN pass rates should be a top consideration when it comes to choosing a nursing school in Oregon. The average 2021 NCLEX-RN pass rate in Oregon is 86.38%, which is only slightly above the national average pass rate of 86.07%.

WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN PROGRAMS IN OREGON (ONLINE & CAMPUS)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 3 best BSN programs in Oregon (Online & Campus).

1) Oregon Health & Science University, Monmouth

The city of Monmouth is home to the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), which is one of the only schools of its type in the state. The BSN degree is offered through a partnership between OHSU and several Oregon community colleges called the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education, or OCNE.

Through this partnership, OHSU can offer you better access to clinical facilities and experienced faculty across the state. Pooled resources have also allowed for the procurement of clinical simulation labs to further hone your skills. OHSU's BSN program is one of the most highly-sought in the state. Shared agreements for support services and academic standards provide you with a better opportunity to succeed in your BSN program.

Graduates from any OCNE community college can transfer to OHSU to complete the final-year curriculum required to earn their BSN degrees without fear of competition. Other schools that partner with OHSU include Mt. Hood, Umpqua, Rogue, Southwestern Oregon, Lane, Clackamas, Portland, Blue Mountain, Treasure Valley, and Clatsop, and most recently, Columbia Gorge for 2018.

2) Linfield College, Portland

Linfield College, located in Portland, offers one of the most prestigious BSN programs in Oregon. Its focus is student support, which means it strives to provide you with one-on-one contact with faculty, a supportive community, and incredibly small class sizes in the nursing program. Lecture-based classes have 40 or less students, and clinicals take place in groups of eight or less.

The BSN program at Linfield College is affiliated with numerous hospitals and healthcare facilities across Portland, giving you access to several locations to complete the hands-on portion of your training. The school provides you with access to a hi-fi nursing lab, study abroad programs, and multicultural nursing opportunities. The program is also affiliated with the Legacy Health System, which is held in high regard as one of the top 10 health systems in the entire country.

Linfield College's nursing program was designed with professional nursing standards and guidelines in mind. It follows the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for the Professional Nursing Practice set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Practice, the Oregon State Board of Nursing Practice Act, and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements.

3) George Fox University, Newberg

George Fox University is located in Newberg, OR and boasts one of the highest NCLEX-RN pass rates in the entire state. The school puts a holistic focus on your nursing career, teaching you to care for both the patients' minds and bodies. GFU is also known for its outstanding faculty, particularly in the BSN (Nursing Major) program. It is a Christian-based university that shines through in lectures, clinicals, and relationships between staff and students.

George Fox University boasts a very successful study abroad program that is also open to its nursing students. In fact, more than half of all undergraduates will participate in a study abroad program at some point, which can prepare them for a variety of nursing careers. Many GFU graduates go on to travel with organizations like Doctors Without Borders, which provides necessary medical care to poverty- and war-stricken countries across the globe.

Finally, you can feel confident about attending George Fox University to complete your BSN program because it is consistently ranked among the nation's top schools by some of the country's biggest publications. GFU has been mentioned by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, US News and World Report, and Forbes for being an outstanding program for the price.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY

How to Get My Oregon RN License

Before you can practice as an RN in the state of Oregon, you will need to receive your license through the Oregon State Board of Nursing. This process takes six distinct steps.

• Complete an RN education program approved through the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
• Apply for your licensure through the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
• Register and pay for the NCLEX-RN examination with Pearson Vue.
• Wait to receive an ATT, or Authorization to Test, from the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
• Schedule your examination according to the dates available.
• Take and pass the examination, then receive your license to work as an RN in OR.

What Can I Do with a BSN in OR?

Obtaining your BSN in Oregon allows you to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination and work as a licensed RN once you pass. In this state, the biggest employers of RNs are hospitals like Oregon Health & Science University Hospital and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland. You may also choose to work in other settings, including nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, trauma centers, and even in home-based health care.

Some RNs choose to pursue even higher education, such as the MSN, or Master of Science in Nursing degree. This goes above and beyond the education provided in a BSN program to prepare RNs for careers as educators or managers. An MSN can also prepare you to work as a nurse practitioner, or FNP. These individuals have more responsibilities than registered nurses since they see and treat patients on their own much like doctors. Though they still work under the supervision of a doctor, they earn much higher salaries due to increased responsibilities.

BSN Salary in Oregon

RNs across Oregon who hold BSN degrees earn salaries between $81,470 and $131,210. The average annual salary is $106,610 which is 19.77% higher than the national average BSN salary. There are several factors that can influence an RN’s salary in this state, as well. Nurses with more experience earn higher salaries than those who are at the entry-level, and nurses who work in fast-paced, demanding environments like emergency rooms tend to earn more than those who work in home health or nursing homes.

Type	Salary Range	Average Salary
Hourly	$39.17 - $63.08	$51.25
Monthly	$6,790 - $10,930	$8,880
Annual	$81,470 - $131,210	$106,610

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Oregon Earnings Vs National Earnings

Oregon BSN	National BSN	Difference	Difference %
$106,610	$89,010	$17,600	19.77%

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Demand for BSN Graduates in OR

The demand for RNs who hold BSNs across Oregon is expected to climb some 12.15% between the years of 2020 and 2030. Factors that will drive this growth include more widespread access to healthcare, the growing state population, and the development of new technologies that provide people the ability to live longer, happier lives. The aging baby boomer population continues to seek long-term care in nursing facilities, which will also drive demand in coming years.

Employment (BSN Degree Holders)		10 Year New Job Growth Projection (2020-2030)
2020	2030	Number	%
41,000	45,980	4,980	12.15%

(Source: careeronestop.org)

Projected Annual Job Openings for BSN Graduates in OR (2023-2027)

BSN Programs in Other States