BSN Programs in Oregon
The BSN is a nursing degree program that offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. With the initials standing for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the BSN program is typically offered as a couple of different options. Candidates with no nursing credits or experience can earn the BSN in four years. Registered nurses (RNs) with an associate degree can take the ADN to BSN or RN to BSN and earn the degree in about two years. Some schools also offer an accelerated BSN program that can be completed in one to two years, for which you need a bachelor’s degree in another subject. Online or hybrid BSN programs are also offered at many colleges and universities in Oregon.
BSN Requirements for Oregon
According to the Oregon Center for Nursing, there are approximately 4,680 LPNs (licensed practical nurses) who are licensed and practicing and 44,900 licensed and practicing RNs in this state. However, the OSBN’s goal is to increase the number of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80%, so they are continually working toward that goal. Their plan is also to show preference to hiring RNs with a BSN to encourage more aspiring RNs to earn the bachelor’s degree.
The number of BSN-educated nurses has almost quadrupled in the last 20 years, and Oregon has a growing number of RN graduates overall.
Oregon colleges and universities have several degree program options, and the BSN program is one of the most popular since almost half of all RN graduates in Oregon go on to earn a BSN. To earn the BSN, the program curriculum must meet certain requirements. Students must complete general education courses, particularly if they are just starting their nursing education and have not completed prerequisite courses. Additionally, they must complete nursing courses and clinical rotations in a hospital. Most BSN programs require completion of at least 120 credits. Aspiring RNs must also pass a background screening.
Bachelor’s Level RN Salary Information for Oregon
Earning a BSN qualifies an RN for many positions not otherwise available to them, including research, consultation, teaching, and leadership roles. Their ability to work in these areas make them more valuable to employers, which often results in higher wages. Oregon is the 3rd highest paying state for RNs (up from 5th highest just a few years ago) according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs in Oregon earned an average annual wage of $106,610 as of May 2022 with an annual median wage of $51.26 an hour. RNs with a BSN generally earn wages that are between the 75th and 90th wage percentile of all RNs.
Largest Employers of Nursing Professionals for Oregon
According to the Oregon Center for Nursing in their report from 2020, there are 90,000 individuals licensed to practice nursing in Oregon, with 70,000 currently practicing. Of this number, around 56% were employed in hospital settings, 20% work in other practice settings, 12% work in office or clinic settings, 5% work in Home Health/Hospice, 4% work in long term care or skilled nursing and 3% work in ambulatory surgical centers.
Nursing Associations in Oregon
Below are a few of the nursing associations available to nursing professionals in Oregon. These associations offer nursing professionals a place to communicate with other nursing professionals; learn about continuing education and stay abreast of anything new or trending in the nursing profession.
- Oregon Nurses Association – The voice of Oregon nurses since 1904, the ONA works to help nurses in Oregon get better wages, work in safer conditions, and earn Continuing Education credits.
- Oregon State Board of Nursing – The Oregon State Board of Nursing is where you will go to have any nursing license questions answered, apply for licensure and renewal, look up disciplinary action and other things.
- Oregon Holistic Nurses Association – This association serves Oregon, Washington and California and hosts conferences, provides learning materials and advocates for holistic nursing as a profession and as a lifestyle.
- Nurse Practitioners in Oregon – This association supports nurse practitioners in Oregon by hosting conferences, advocating for health policy and political action on the behalf of Oregon nurses.
- Oregon Student Nurses Association – The Orgon Student Nurses Association is for current students to serve in a greater role in events, test prep, at the annual convention and other events to support future nurses.
BSN Programs in Oregon
Here are some BSN programs at Oregon colleges or universities. Oregon currently has six Bachelor of Science (BSN) in nursing programs along with the six BSN programs offered through OHSU across the state. Three universities have accelerated BSN programs where students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a different subject may have a shortened path to a BSN.
In many of the schools, students must complete a pre-nursing program that satisfies the state’s prerequisite course requirements. The one-year program consists of classes like anatomy and physiology with lab; human development; social science; English composition, nutrition; math; humanities and some electives totally up to 45 credits.
Eastern Oregon University – La Grande, OR
The BSN program at EOU is a 3-year program through OHSU that provides students with the skills and knowledge to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and perform nursing duties in a healthcare environment. In addition to completing coursework in the classroom and labs, students spend time in the Clinical Simulation Skills Suite where they use high-fidelity technology to obtain hands-on training in a realistic clinical setting. Students complete courses in acute care; pharmacology; management in nursing; foundations in nursing in chronic care, and epidemiology. They also complete clinical rotations in the final year. OHSU School of Nursing also has an Accelerated BSN and an Online RN to BS degree.
University of Portland – Portland, OR
The BSN program at the University of Portland has the only fully accredited simulated health center in Oregon. The BSN is a concept-based program that focuses on Population Health, Leadership, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Care Innovations and Social Justice, among other coursework. As a first-year nursing student, you’ll have to take Chemistry in high school or community college as a prerequisite. If you’ve already been admitted to UP and want to switch to nursing, you must enter the program as a transfer student.
Southern Oregon University – Ashland, OR
The BSN program at Southern Oregon University is a three-year program that is also offered through OHSU, with the benefit that students can stay in southern Oregon to attend classes. The program requires students to complete 87 credits on non-nursing and prerequisite courses at another school and transfer them to SOU. The remaining 93 credits are nursing credits for 180 credits, which are required to graduate. Course topics include foundations of nursing: health promotion; nursing in chronic care; nursing in acute care; pharmacology; human anatomy; and nursing leadership. A practicum course, which includes self-directed study, a seminar and clinical education, is completed in the final year. SOU/OHSU also offers an accelerated BSN program that can be completed in five quarters.
Linfield College – Portland, OR
Some of the features that make the BSN program at Linfield College popular are the small class sizes, one-on-one interaction with instructors, and state-of-the-art nursing lab that includes high-fidelity simulation. This provides students with the same equipment and supplies they’d use in a real hospital, only they work with lifelike mannequins. Some students also can study abroad through this program. Nursing courses, many of which include classroom and clinical hours, include population-based nursing; nursing leadership; evidence-based nursing; pathophysiology; pharmacology; transitions in health and illness; and nursing in mental health and illness across the lifespan. Linfield College also has an easy RN to BSN program that is offered online as a degree completion program for existing RNs.
Oregon NCLEX Pass Rate
Currently, BSN graduates have a slightly higher NCLEX pass rate at 86.4% than their ADN counterparts at 85.8%, but both programs in Oregon prepare students well for the NCLEX.
Becoming a Nurse in Oregon
Now that you are armed with the facts about becoming a BSN-educated nurse in Oregon, the next step is to start your education. Whether you are starting from getting your prerequisites done, or you already have an RN and are looking to add a BSN, there is a program for you. Inquire with a few to find the best fit.