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Let us help you land on your dream job here in Oregon! Read on this article to know more about the licensing process in Oregon, and more!
Through this article, you will be able to know the following:
Fees for the licensing
Licensing renewal process (step-by-step)
Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing
Licensing and certification
Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Oregon
Popular hospitals in Oregon
Nursing associations in Oregon
Contact details
Fees for the Licensing
The table below shows the required payments for the licensing, whether you are a first-time nurse, applying by endorsement, or renewing your license. For more information, visit the Oregon licensing page.
*Fees may change without any notice.
**A background check is required in most states, but prices are not usually indicated.
Licensing Renewal Process
Check when your license expires by visiting the Oregon Board of Nursing website. Oregon has a Verification page for you to verify your license.
Complete all your continuing education requirements BEFORE your license expires.
Apply for your renewal process by going to the Oregon Board of Nursing. You may check on the Renewal Information page for more specific information.
Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing
The following are the Continuing Education Requirements for nurses in Oregon.
For RN/LPN, you need to complete a 1-time 7 hours of pain management CE so that you can renew your license. One of these hours should be done with their Pain Management Module, as required by Oregon Pain Management Commission.
In addition to that the applicant must also submit a fully accomplished application designed by the board and attested to one of the following:
(1)(a) 400 hours of nursing practice, at the level of the license acquired, within the two years right after renewal application. Licensed applicants before January 1, 2021, must attest to having 400 hours of practice in the previous two years by their second renewal cycle after these rules have been implemented. Before this second renewal, the applicant may use the previously required competency hours of 960 in 5 years; or
(b) Graduation from a Board-approved Oregon, or out of state school of nursing, or international nursing program within the two years right after renewal application; or
(c) Completing a re-entry program
For APRN, you may renew your license to practice if:
(1) You have also renewed your license as a registered nurse. Hours practiced as an APRN count towards RN license renewal, but, practice hours at the RN level do not count for APRN renewal. RN and APRN license renewals may be done simultaneously.
(2) You one of the following qualifications:
(a) Has practiced 400 hours at the APRN level in the two years after the receipt of a completed renewal application. Licensed APRNs before January 1, 2021, must attest to having 400 hours of practice in the previous two years by their second renewal cycle after implementation of these rules. Before this second renewal, the applicant may use the previously required competency hours of 960 in five years; or
(b) Is within two years of graduation of initial APRN education program, or
(c) Is within two years of completion of a Board-approved re-entry program, or
(d) Is within two years of completion a post-master’s certificate in the specialty being renewed; or
(e) Has maintained active national certification
The Oregon State Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
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Licensing and Certification
Step 1: Education
To earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you must attend an accredited institution that offers ADN for 18-24 months. You can also take a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree in an accredited institution. These programs typically take 4 to 5 years to complete. If you have an ADN but you wanna pursue your bachelor’s, there are certain programs that let you earn your BSN in 12 to 18 months. There is also an RN to BSN program that will take one year for you to earn the degree. Said programs let you save on time and money as you work towards advancing your career.
Step 2: Licensing
Six weeks before your graduation, you can start the process of your application for the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is composed of 75-265 items and you will be given a limit of 5 hours to finish all of it. Failing the exam does not necessarily mean that you do not have the chance anymore. After your first try, you just have to wait for 45 days and you can apply again.
The scope of NCLEX includes questions about: (1) health promotion and maintenance; (2) safe and effective care environment; (3) physiology and integrity; and (4) psychology and integrity.
Step 3: Experience
This time, you must learn how to take the opportunities in gaining first-hand experiences in dealing with patients, with colleagues and superiors, and with the different situations that you might face. These invaluable experiences will make you more attractive to bigger employers in the future.
Step 4: Certification
Your last step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. There are different requirements for earning a certification, depending on your preferences so it is important to check with the governing provider for information. You can attend several trainings, seminars or workshops in varied institutions for this purpose.
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Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Oregon
Shortage of healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, has been a perennial issue in the country. This makes nurses highly in demand during this period of time. This profession will increase by about 9% from 2020 to 2030. The average annual salary is $98,630.
Let us help you check out average wages of nurses to help determine if Oregon is the right place for you.
Popular Hospitals in Oregon
Still not decided on whether to work as a nurse in Oregon or not? This list of the best hospitals in the state will surely help you make that decision to go in the right direction. U.S. News and World Report made a list of the best and popular hospitals in Oregon. Here are some of them:
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Hospital – (Portland, OR):
Regionally ranked #1 in Oregon and in Portland
Nationally ranked in 6 adult specialties and 5 pediatric specialties
Rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 16 procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital
Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®
Specialties include Ear, Nose & Throat (#15 in the nation), Gastroenterology & GI Surgery (#23 in the nation), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#29 in the nation), and Geriatrics (#32 in the nation)
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center – (Portland, OR):
Regionally ranked #2 in Oregon and in Portland
Rated high performing in 4 adult specialties and 16 procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility
Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®
Specialties include Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
St. Charles Medical Center – (Bend, OR):
Regionally ranked #3 in Oregon
Rated high performing in 15 adult procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility
Specialties include Procedures and Conditions Related to Cancer, Procedures and Conditions Related to Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Diabetes, and Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion)
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center – (Medford, OR):
Regionally ranked #4 in Oregon
Rated high performing in 14 adult procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility
Specialties include Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery.
Providence Portland Medical Center – (Portland, OR):
Regionally ranked #5 in Oregon
Rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 11 procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility
Specialties include Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery.
*The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards Magnet Status to Hospitals that apply and meet certain criteria. This award is also considered as the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care.
Nursing Associations in Oregon
Becoming a member of a nursing association opens a lot of opportunities to your career growth. It gives you the advantages of varied job offers and networking, and a bunch of information and experiences shared between you and your fellow nurses. Through these organizations, learning and professional growth never stop. Listed below are just a few of the nursing organizations that you can find and join once you are in Oregon.
Alliance of Black Nurses Association of Oregon “This association aims to represent Black nurses. They provide a forum for them so as to lead in the facilitation of techniques in accessing the best quality healthcare for persons of color.”
Oregon Nurses Association “The members of this organization advocate for patients, nurses, and nursing practice as they make sure that there is respect, compassion and dignity in all systems of healthcare in Oregon.”
American Psychiatric Nurses Association Oregon Chapter “The main target of this group is to become one in supporting and educating all levels of psychiatric nurses in Oregon and at the same time, advocating for excellent mental care and recovery.”
For more information about the nursing associations, you may visit the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.
Contact Details
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Fax: (971) 673-0684
Use email to contact:
oregon.bn.info@osbn.oregon.gov
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road
Portland, OR 97224