2023 - Best Nursing Schools in Oregon

The nursing program at Chemeketa Community College has a long and strong tradition of preparing nurses to be life-long learners and to practice safely, accurately, and compassionately in all kinds of healthcare settings. The program has been deemed as one of the state’s best by multiple sources.

The nursing faculty at Chemeketa Community College consists of nursing graduates who have exceptional clinical and theoretical knowledge and experience. This faculty teaches the students to have clinical and professional experience in the changing healthcare climate as well. Students take part in classroom education, group projects, and seminars in the college. That along with the simulation lab exercises and clinical practice allow them to learn the attributes of accountability, caring, innovation, safety, social and cultural awareness, and lifelong respect and dignity for human life. Graduates have found employment in hospitals, public health departments, community clinics, home health services, and other healthcare facilities, soon after their graduation from Chemeketa Community College.

Undergraduate Programs: The Nursing Associate of Applied Science Degree prepares students for their NCLEC-RN examination. The passing rates for this degree in recent years are excellent and go on to show the quality of education provided at this institution.

Similarly, for LPNs who wish to begin a career as RNs, the LPN to RN program exists to help them realize their dreams.

Furthermore, Chemeketa Community College also has an RN to BSN program for working RNs who wish to pursue their BSN degree. The college has formed partnerships with multiple universities and colleges in the state to make the transition possible.

The nursing program at Rogue Community College is one of the best in the state and is concurrent with the OCNE curriculum. Students here focus on health promotion across the life span including learning about self-health as well as client health practices.

Nursing students at Rogue Community College learn to work as members of multidisciplinary teams giving and receiving feedback about performance and use reflective thinking about their practice. They are instructed by highly trained health professionals in both the classroom and in clinical practice. They study the health problems and management of children, adults, older adults, pregnant women, as well as community health practices. Furthermore, the college also has a Continuing Education Division that provides life-long learning opportunities that enhance the fulfillment and personal success of the students as well as citizens. Some of the classes provided include ACLS, BLS, Community Education, Driver Training, and other vital training necessary to meet the community’s needs.

Undergraduate Programs: RCC offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree that offers all the classes and skills necessary to pass the NCLEX-RN and begin a career as a competent general nurse.

Similarly, the LPN to RN program exists for working LPNs with LPN license who want to expand their career by becoming RNs.

Furthermore, there is also an LPN program for those who wish to take it, the program offers the education and skills necessary to begin a healthcare journey as registered LPNs.

Located in Astoria, Oregon, Clatsop Community College’s nursing program is one of the best not only in the state but also in the entire country. The competitive nursing curriculum here allows students to bring out the best in themselves right from the application process.

Nursing students at Clatsop Community College learn in high-tech classrooms and simulation labs. The practical curriculum also consists of hands-on experiences and a wide range of clinical skills practice in multiple healthcare facilities across the state and simulation labs. Students learn the basics of care provision and use their knowledge, skills, and problem-solving abilities to help individuals, families, and communities with their health prevention and promotion needs. In addition to the clinical duties, RNs graduating from this college also learn to teach health practices to clients and other health care providers while also supervising the work of nursing assistants and practical nurses. 

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate in Applied Science in Nursing program at Clatsop Community College prepares students for their NCLEX-RN examination and allows them to work as entry-level nurse generalists.

Additionally, Clatsop’s nursing program has formed a partnership with other eleven community colleges called the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE). As a part of the OCNE, the students can seamlessly transfer their AAS degree to Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing online completion to earn their bachelor’s degree in as little as a year.

Lane community college is a public institution located in Eugene, Oregon. It is one of the top colleges not only within the state but nationwide with its three-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate of more than 95%. LCC has set an affordable price for tuition fees and other costs with the addition of financial assistance programs for both new and current international students.

Nursing students at LCC are taught to practice relationship-centered care and promote health using a problem-solving methodology. During their course of study, they will be offered clinical practice in multiple healthcare settings including a variety of inpatient, outpatient, and health promotion sites.

LCC awards both national and international students with multiple scholarship options. These scholarships are mostly merit-based but some are based on other criteria or financial needs. There are also scholarships available for all majors, non-traditional students, international students, people of all ages, and all GPAs.

Undergraduate Programs: Lane Community College provides its students with multiple degree options. The Associate Degree in Nursing prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam to become Registered Nurses (RN) after the completion of the course. RN graduates of LCC are employed in a wide variety of settings including acute care hospital settings, long-term care settings, and teaching experiences where students get the chance to apply the skills they have learned.

Similarly, the college also provides an LPN to RN Bridge certificate which when completed gives a Licensed Practical Nurse eligibility to enter the second year of any Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE) which is a partnership of eleven Oregon community Colleges and six campuses of the OHSU School Nursing with a shared curriculum taught on all consortium campuses.

Portland Community College is a member of the Oregon Consortium for nursing education (OCNE) with an NCLEX-RN passing rate of almost 95% in each of the three most recent years. PCC is currently ranked one of the top 10 nursing colleges in Oregon. The college provides knowledge and skills designed to prepare students to be licensed as registered nurses in a variety of health care sectors.

Portland College is recognized for its top-quality education system where students are introduced to practical-based education supervised by highly trained professionals and top-class nurses producing highly experienced nurses to work in health sectors not only in the state but all around the country. During the course of study of this program, students are introduced to new skills including analysis, communication, and intravenous therapy, to make a better environment for the patients and the community. By the end of the course, students will also be capable of teaching new nurses the skills and knowledge they have gained during their course of study.

The tuition fees and other costs in PCC are affordable for both international students and in addition to that, PCC also provides financial aid based on the student’s academic standing. PCC has also been providing free or discounted tuition for senior Oregon residents of age 62 and older. The college is one of the prime choices for nursing students not only from the country but also from around the globe.

Undergraduate Programs: PCC provides a degree in nursing which is completed in two years with the availability of eligible financial aid. This program accepts up to 32 students every fall term. Graduates of PCC are working in various health sectors throughout the country. These health sectors include birthing centers, clinics, emergency departments, and schools where they are experiencing the real-life application of skills they have developed in PCC.

Located in Eugene, Oregon, Clackamas Community College is a public institution with a three-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate of more than 95%. CCC is one of the top five nursing colleges in the state and it also holds a high rank in the national ranking, making it a prime destination for both the national and international nursing students.

Clackamas Community College prepares students for an exciting career in nursing through interactive classroom learning and hands-on clinical experiences where students are taught and supervised by highly trained nurses and professionals. The college focuses to prepare its students for entry-level employment as general nurses. CCC graduates develop different vital skills throughout the course of study. These skills include recognition and demonstration of core nursing values, making appropriate clinical judgments, and practical relationship-centered patient care which is applicable in real-life scenarios when working in healthcare sectors. CCC recognizes the shortage of nurses which is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States as well outside the country thus providing the best education to its students with top-class instructors and supervisors. With additional education, the college provides its students with skills to work as nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and in other specialized roles.

CCC awards its students, both national and international, with multiple financial aid programs including scholarships that are based on merit and needs. In the previous year, CCC provided a scholarship to one in every three candidates which reflects their respect and value towards the field of nursing making it one of the prime destinations for nursing students all around the globe.

Undergraduate Programs: Clackamas Community College provides an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing preparing its students for a rewarding profession in nursing via interactive classroom instructions and hands-on clinical experiences. Students who complete the CCC nursing program will be entitled to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing and sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students are given the opportunity to choose by themselves whether or not to continue in the OCNE curriculum for the fourth year which results in an OHSU Baccalaureate of Science degree with a focus on nursing.

Oregon Health and Science University School of Nursing is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon that is one of the finest nursing institutions in the state in terms of NCLEX pass rates and program completion rates.

Nursing programs at OHSU are rooted in evidence-based learning and interprofessional education and practice. The curriculum focuses on the development of critical thinking and judgment, understanding of health systems and leadership, interdisciplinary care, public health, and communications. During their course of study, students are offered diverse clinical experiences in a variety of settings and community placements in unique medical centers. In addition to the high-quality nursing education, OSHU is also known for its stellar clinical programs in areas such as cancer, cardiac, and palliative care, as well as in symptom management and caregiving for families and frail elders. The school is proud to be known as an innovator in educational and pedagogical innovation. Faculty investigators with a passion for discovery and a commitment to the highest standards of scientific inquiry lead the research engine of the school of nursing and they teach and inspire students with the same zeal. 

Undergraduate Programs: The three-year Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing allows students to prepare themselves to care for a diverse group of patients in a variety of settings. Similarly, the online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science (RNBS) program is designed for RNs who are yet to complete their bachelor’s degree. The course is offered both full time and part-time.

Furthermore, there is an Accelerated Bachelor of Science Degree for the students who have a bachelor’s degree in a different field. This full-time program takes 15 months to complete. 

Graduate Programs: Along with traditional Master’s programs in Nursing Education and Health Systems and Organizational Leadership, the school of nursing at OSHU also offers RNBS to Master’s options in the same specialties. Similarly, there are also Accelerated Bachelor’s to DNP and Accelerated Bachelors to Ph.D. options available for students. Students can also enroll in the traditional DNP and Ph.D. programs to expand their nursing practice in breadth and depth.

Located in Roseburg, Oregon, Umpqua Community college is a public institution dedicated to making nursing an affordable and accessible profession for all students. Their nursing program ranks among the best in the state as well as the country.

Nursing in UCC covers clinical judgment and critical thinking, evidence-based practice, relationship-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, assisting individuals and families in self-care practices for health promotion and chronic and acute illness management, end-of-life care, teaching, delegation, leadership, and supervision of caregivers. The nursing program at UCC is a rigorous, intellectual educational experience that teaches students the art of critical thinking and quick decision-making skills. Students can also take part in some non-credit programs like CPR for Healthcare Providers, which is required for several nursing programs. These courses provide significant training in areas such as healthcare and nursing, but they do not award college credit.

UCC is an affordable college with the addition of multiple scholarship programs awarded to regular students, both US citizens, and eligible non-citizens.

Associate Degree Programs: UCC provides two nursing certificate programs. The first one is practical nursing which is a three-semester program that prepares students to work as Licensed Practical Nurses alongside and under the supervision of healthcare professionals and Registered Nurses. This program prepares students to take the NCLEX-PN to become an LPN.

Similarly, UCC provides a certificate of nursing assistant which consists of two modules CNA1 and CNA2 which is an additional course providing acute care training. Students take the CNA1 course to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Students take the Oregon State Board of Nursing certification exam after completing the CNA1 course.

University of Portland is located in Portland, Oregon.  NursingSchoolAlmanac.com has rated University of Portland's nursing program as #4 in the West and #46 nationally.  They offer a BSN program; at this time, they do not offer an RN to BSN option.

Located in Albany, Oregon, Linn-Benton Community College is a public institution that has a three-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate of more than 90%. The LBCC Nursing Program prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing by teaching current evidence-based concepts and competencies in nursing theory and practice, developing clinical and critical thinking skills, and instilling a strong work ethic, particularly in the areas of safe and culturally sensitive patient care, accuracy, professionalism, and continuing education.

LBCC uses an on-campus Nursing Skills Lab with human simulation manikins and scenarios where students are introduced to real-life medical scenarios. Students are provided with practical knowledge. The students are also given the opportunities to participate in clinical practice in multiple healthcare agencies within a 20-40 mile radius of the campus. The college has an 8:1 student to staff ratio policy which ensures that the students get the individualized quality education necessary to excel in the rigorous nursing curriculum that LBCC puts forward. Students are allocated to work one-on-one with a nurse preceptor in the sixth term and begin the process of taking full responsibility for the patients in their care. These programs are designed to prepare students to apply their knowledge and skills to build a career in the health care sector. Graduates are prepared to work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and other healthcare settings.

Undergraduate Programs: Every year in the fall, the classes for the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing begin. Students get the chance to practice in clinical facilities right from the beginning of the first term of enrolment.

The LBCC Nursing Program has an articulation agreement with Linfield School of Nursing and Bushnell University for students interested in pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing (formerly known as Northwest Christian University).

Central Oregon Community College's nursing school is a public college in Bend, Oregon which trains students, both national and international, to be able to take state and national licensure exams. It ranks among one of the top nursing institutions in the state. The graduates of Central Oregon Community college have shared their stories about the staff and the environment in the COCC which helped them to become successful nurses.

Nursing classes at COCC feature demanding, hands-on training by some of the best nursing professionals and instructors in the Pacific Northwest. Students praise the small class sizes where the students and staff get to know each other on a personal level. The small class sizes also account for individualized mentorship and care so that the students flourish with the resources they are provided with. Along with high-quality theoretical classes, the students also get the chance to practice their clinical skills with real patients, as members of real healthcare teams in their clinical practice in multiple healthcare facilities in the locality. The education, extra-curricular, and practical classes all focus on teamwork and its importance in the nursing field and graduates have expressed the positive impact this attitude has had in both their personal and professional lives.

Undergraduate Programs: COCC provides a degree in Registered Nurse (RN) where they provide direct care to patients. RN is a prerequisite both for graduate nursing programs and for advanced practice or specialty certification.

The college also provides multiple options to the students for their degrees and certificates. One of which is a Certified Nursing Assistant degree which prepares students to be a part of a healthcare team that helps patients with activities of daily living and other healthcare needs.

Also, COCC's Nursing program offers a professional path that leads to the positions of  Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who support patients by providing basic nursing and medical care which is one of the most popular career paths for students aiming to study nursing. 

Treasure Valley Community College is a public college in Ontario, Oregon. The college admits nursing students based on a point system; where students with prior healthcare experience as LPNs or paramedics, can get higher points based on the hours they’ve practiced.

The highly-qualified faculty members provide the students with the training and educational opportunities to get started in a health career, further their careers, or work towards licensure/certification requirements. The college allows students to practice in the local healthcare facilities as well as the rural areas so that both the students and the citizens of the area benefit from each other. Treasure Valley Community College has a huge reputation for its production of top-quality nurses through its highly practical-based education service. TVCC provides a wide range of scholarship programs for all students.

Undergraduate Programs: TVCC is a member of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE). TVCC provides a degree in Registered Nursing (RN) which is a four-year course of study. Six terms make up the second and third years of study, allowing students to finish the Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) and sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Students may continue their studies in the OHSU RN-BS nursing degree after licensure.

Furthermore, throughout the year, TVCC offers Nursing Assistant Courses. This is a 155-hour program that involves clinical practice at area hospitals as well as a CPR lesson. Students earn a Certificate of Completion after successfully completing the course. Graduates will be allowed to take the OSBN state exam with this credential and will be given the title of "Certified Nurse Aide" if they pass this exam