DNP Programs in Oregon – 2025


Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Are you a nurse in the Beaver State looking for a surefire way to optimize your nursing skills? DNP programs in Oregon will teach you hands-on competencies and evidence-based analytic techniques that will enhance your practice whether you decide to become a clinical provider or an executive manager once you graduate. Nurses who’ve graduated from DNP programs in Oregon make average salaries of $156,140 annually and are sought after by healthcare employers in that state. In fact, job opportunities for Oregon’s DNPs are projected to increase by 53 percent over the next 10 years. The list below of the best DNP programs in Oregon contains a lot more information.


WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN OREGON (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Oregon (Online & Campus) for 2025.


1. Oregon Health & Science University - Portland


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Pediatric Primary & Acute Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Are you a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree dreaming of becoming a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist? If so, you can reach your goals at Oregon Health & Science University. OHSU offers one of the best DNP programs in Oregon, with options to specialize in one of five nurse practitioner specialties or nurse anesthesia. The programs are designed to be completed in three years and formatted for full-time study.

The BSN-to-DNP program features a curriculum that combines advanced practice core, specialty, and DNP core courses. Depending on your chosen pathway, you will complete between 106 and 129 credits in the program. The curriculum for each specialty includes 37 credits of DNP core courses, including Healthcare Economics & Finance, Leadership & Health Systems, and Health Policy & Population Health. Each nurse practitioner pathway integrates concentration-specific coursework and a minimum of 1,000 supervised clinical hours. The Nurse Anesthesia program includes more than 1,500 clinical hours.

Didactic coursework is delivered via various modalities as follows:

• The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary & Acute Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Midwifery programs feature a hybrid learning format.
• The PMHNP program is available in in-person classroom, asynchronous online, and synchronous online modalities.
• Most courses for the Nurse Anesthesia program are offered on campus in a face-to-face setting.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at OHSU must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a current RN license in Oregon. Candidates must submit an admission essay or participate in an interview, provide official post-secondary transcripts reflecting a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and proof of completion of the required prerequisites, including a Statistics course with a minimum grade of “B-.” Additionally, you must provide a current resume or curriculum vitae, three letters of reference, and a sample of scholarly work.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The post-master's DNP program at Oregon Health & Sciences University is an excellent choice for RNs seeking flexibility. The program is available in part-time or full-time options, which means you can learn at a pace that works best for you. Depending on your enrollment status, it can take two to four years to complete the program.

The MSN-to-DNP program features an online format. The 46-credit curriculum consists of DNP core classes, electives, practicums, and DNP project hours. In this program, you will take classes including Application of Evidence to Clinical Practice, Critical Appraisal of Evidence, Informatics & Technology for Healthcare, and Improvement Science.

All DNP students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-bachelor's clinical hours. GAP analysis of the clinical hours completed in your master’s nursing program will determine the actual number of hours you need in the MSN-to-DNP program.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates for the MSN-to-DNP program must have a B.S. or B.S.N. and a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned at an accredited nursing school, have a cumulative college grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale, and hold a current APRN license in the state where clinical coursework will occur. You must complete an application via NursingCAS, submit transcripts from any college or university you have attended, and provide a clinical hours verification form. In addition to providing three letters of reference, a CV or professional resume, and a sample of scholarly work, you must also submit a description of your current engagement in practice as an advanced practice nurse.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• Oregon Health & Sciences University believes earning a degree should be within everyone’s grasp. One of the ways the school helps students accomplish this goal is by providing nursing scholarship opportunities. OHSU scholarships range from $1,000 to $12,000. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the school awarded over 270 scholarships worth nearly $3 million to nursing students!
• The DNP program at Oregon Health & Sciences University is taught by a group of dedicated faculty. The faculty have decades of combined experience within their chosen concentrations. From lectures to laboratory simulations and clinical practicums, you will have endless opportunities to glean from your instructors’ knowledge and experience as you prepare to take your career to the next level by earning a DNP!


2. University of Portland - Portland


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Portland offers a pathway for baccalaureate-prepared RNs to become Family Nurse Practitioners. This BSN-to-DNP program in Oregon features a hybrid learning format that combines online learning with on-campus weekend immersions each month. The program admits students in the fall of each year and is designed to be completed in three years of full-time study.

The BSN-to-DNP program is a 72-credit program of study. You will take classes such as Epidemiology & Clinical Prevention in Population Health, Foundations of Clinical Management & Role Development for Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, and Primary Care Management: Health Promotion & Acute Conditions.

The program includes 900 direct care clinical hours and 120 total DNP project practicum hours. These hours meet the practice experience guidelines outlined in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. The Essentials state, “In order to achieve the DNP competencies, programs should provide a minimum of 1,000 hours of practice post-baccalaureate as part of a supervised academic program.”

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Portland, you must have a current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse to practice in your state of residence. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in nursing earned at a nationally accredited nursing school and provide transcripts showing a college GPA of 3.0 or higher. A Graduate School Application must be provided. Additionally, you must submit a DNP writing sample, a current resume or CV, and three letters of recommendation. Applicants who meet minimum admission requirements will participate in an admission interview before an admission decision is determined.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Portland also offers a post-master's entry option for its Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner Program. The program is a full-time pathway designed to be completed in two years. The MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Portland requires students to complete 48 credits. Students may transfer up to 500 qualifying clinical hours from their master's nursing program. Upon verification of your completed MSN-level clinical hours, the number of clinical hours you need to complete in the post-master's DNP will be determined, and an individualized plan of study will be created.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates for the MSN-to-DNP program must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned at an accredited school of nursing and a current, unencumbered license to practice as an RN in their state of residence. In addition to completing a Graduate School Application, you must provide a DNP writing sample via essay prompts within the application, a current professional resume or curriculum vitae, three references, and official transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended. Applicants must have a minimum college grade point average of 3.0.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• One of the things I love about The School of Nursing & Health Innovations at the University of Portland is that it is home to the only fully accredited state-of-the-art simulation health center in the state. The center offers a unique resemblance to real healthcare settings and provides a broad range of learning opportunities for students. The center features acute care patient beds, acute care simulation suites, high-fidelity manikins, and an ambulatory care center.
• At the University of Portland, you will benefit from the services provided by the Center for Clinical Excellence. The Center creates clinical relationships and supports off-campus clinical activities. The Center provides support to students to help ensure program outcomes and objectives are met and that students are well-prepared to transition after graduating from the DNP program.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In Oregon?




2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In Oregon?


2


3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Oregon?


Hourly$75.07
Weekly$3,003
Monthly$13,010
Annual$156,140


4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In Oregon?


Hourly$55.23
Weekly$2,209
Monthly$9,570
Annual$114,870


5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In Oregon?


Level of ExperienceHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
1-4 Years of Experience$62.49$2,500$10,830$129,980
5-9 Years of Experience$73.76$2,951$12,790$153,430
10-19 Years of Experience$82.15$3,286$14,240$170,870
20 Years or More Experience$98.17$3,927$17,020$204,190


6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Oregon By Metro?


MetroHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Albany$78.32$3,133$13,580$162,910
Bend-Redmond$68.85$2,754$11,930$143,200
Corvallis$69.79$2,792$12,100$145,160
Eugene$70.95$2,838$12,300$147,570
Grants Pass$69.22$2,769$12,000$143,980
Medford$75.29$3,012$13,050$156,600
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro$77.43$3,097$13,420$161,050
Salem$77.55$3,102$13,440$161,300


7. Average DNP Salary In Oregon Vs. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Oregon


Job TitleAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Dentist$177,440-$21,300-12.00%
Nurse With DNP$156,140$00.00%
Pharmacist$149,550+$6,590+4.41%
Physician Assistant$141,810+$14,330+10.11%
Optometrist$130,280+$25,860+19.85%
Radiation Therapist$118,950+$37,190+31.27%
Veterinarian$115,080+$41,060+35.68%
Dental Hygienist$103,440+$52,700+50.95%
Occupational Therapist$100,910+$55,230+54.73%
Physical Therapist$100,310+$55,830+55.66%
Speech-Language Pathologist$98,900+$57,240+57.88%
Audiologist$97,880+$58,260+59.52%
Chiropractor$90,590+$65,550+72.36%


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.



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