Nursing is one of the most sought-after professions, and it’s easy to see why. Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare system and are responsible for everything from providing patient care and educating their patients on how to stay healthy, to managing other staff members at a clinic or hospital.
The accelerated nursing programs in Oregon give students an edge over traditional BSN programs because they allow you to earn your degree in less time than normal. However, if you want to pursue accelerated nursing programs in Oregon, then you must be aware of some key factors like tuition fees, curriculum structure, job opportunities, etc.
We have compiled this comprehensive guide with everything that one needs before applying for these programs. Continue reading to find out more about these accelerated nursing programs in Oregon.
Overview
An accelerated nursing program is a program that allows you to complete your bachelor’s degree in nursing and earn your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) in less time than it would take if you completed the degree. The general education requirements for accelerated BSN programs are similar to those of the traditional BSN, but the clinical requirements are shortened or waived.
When you enroll in accelerated nursing programs in Oregon, you can typically expect to graduate in as little as 1-2 years, depending on how many credits you transfer from other programs and what courses your college accepts.
Accelerated programs not only allow you to save time and money by getting a BSN degree, they may also help improve your chances of getting into the workforce sooner.
Besides saving money and time, there are several other benefits associated with pursuing an accelerated degree program:
- An accelerated career path: If you’re interested in advancing within your field quickly, then pursuing an accelerated nursing program may be right for you. By earning both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree simultaneously through an online program, there are numerous opportunities for graduates.
Curriculum of Accelerated Nursing Programs in Oregon
Accelerated nursing programs, also known as RN-to-BSN programs, are a means by which you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree while still currently working as an RN.
Accelerated nursing programs, like other nursing programs and traditional nursing programs, offer instruction on subjects such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. However, accelerated nursing programs tend to cover these subjects in more depth than would be possible within the time constraints of a typical four-year undergraduate degree program.
Beyond learning the content necessary for obtaining both academic degrees simultaneously—which includes all required courses for the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN)—you’ll also learn about leadership skills and how to apply those abilities in real-world scenarios within your chosen field of study.
Here is an example of what you can expect to learn in an accelerated nursing program in Oregon using Concordia University-Portland’s coursework as an example.
SEMESTER 1
| Prefix | Course | Course Title | Credits |
| NUR | 376 | Applied Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR | 378 | Pharmacology in Nursing | 4 |
| NUR | 380 | Fundamentals of Professional Nursing | 6 |
| NUR | 382 | Health Promotion and Assessment | 3 |
SEMESTER 2
| Prefix | Course | Course Title | Credits |
| NUR | 384 | Behavioral Health Nursing | 4 |
| NUR | 388 | Population Health | 5 |
| NUR | 390 | Nursing Care of the Adult I | 6 |
SEMESTER 3
| Prefix | Course | Course Title | Credits |
| NUR | 417 | Nursing Care of the Adult II | 6 |
| NUR | 418 | Nursing Care of Childbearing and Childrearing Family | 6 |
| NUR | 419 | Aging, Chronicity, and Palliative Care | 3 |
SEMESTER 4
| Prefix | Course | Course Title | Credits |
| NUR | 420 | Nursing Informatics | 2 |
| NUR | 424 | Transition into Professional Nursing | 7 |
| NUR | 426 | Nursing Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NUR | 428 | Leadership & Management in Nursing | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 61
Tuition Information of Accelerated Nursing Programs in Oregon
The tuition cost of accelerated nursing programs in Oregon is affordable compared to traditional programs. The average tuition of an accelerated program is $34,245 per year and the range of tuition costs varies from $16,458 (Oregon Health & Science) to as much as $64,050 (Concordia University) per year.
However, if you are considering taking advantage of the tuition waiver program offered by many schools, then this will reduce your yearly expenses significantly.
In addition to low tuition costs when compared with traditional programs there may be other financial factors that make accelerated nursing more appealing such as:
- You can earn your degree faster: With an accelerated program it’s possible for you to complete your studies within two years or less so you don’t have to take out student loans or wait until after graduation before entering the workforce.
So, if you are planning to enroll in any of the three accelerated nursing programs in Oregon, then here is everything you need to know about their tuition costs:
| Nursing Schools in Oregon | Tuition Fees |
| Oregon Health & Science University, Portland & Ashland | $16,458 |
| Concordia University-Portland | $64,050 |
| Linfield College, Portland | $22,225 |
Salary of Nurses in Oregon
Nurses in Oregon earn an average of $98,630 a year – which easily makes them one of the top earners in the healthcare industry.
The average salary for nurses in Portland is $94,594 and Ashland’s average nursing salary is $83,207 a year. While the Bend region has an average annual salary of $86,454 per year.
Ashland has one of the lowest salaries for nurses at about $83,207 annually on average (nearly 10 percent lower than the state average); however, when you combine this area with Portland, it gives you two large metropolitan areas that offer excellent nursing opportunities with comfortable salaries compared to other metro areas.
Here is an overview of the highest-paying cities in Oregon.
| Highest Paying Cities for Nurses in Oregon (Ranked) |
| Portland/Vancouver/Hillsboro |
| Eugene |
| Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area |
| Medford |
| Salem |
| Bend/Redford |
| Grants Pass |
| Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area |
| Albany |
| Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area |
| Ashland |
General Requirements to Study in Accelerated Nursing Programs in Oregon
In order to be accepted into an accelerated nursing program, you must meet certain requirements. The following information is a general overview of the requirements for entrance:
- A GPA of 2.5 or higher is required (some schools require 3.0 and above); however, some programs may require a higher GPA than this.
- Passing scores on the TEAS test and on the NCLEX exam are also required in order to gain admission into an accelerated nursing program in Oregon.
Now that you know the requirements for getting into an accelerated nursing program in Oregon, let’s explore the different types of programs available.
List of Accelerated Nursing Programs in Oregon
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland and Ashland
- Concordia University-Portland, Portland
- Linfield College, Portland
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland & Ashland
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has been a leader in nursing education since the late 1800s when it established a program to train nurses at its Portland hospital.
Today, Oregon’s only university-based health system offers several accelerated programs for registered nurses who wish to further their careers and earn an advanced degree in nursing.
This includes:
- Traditional BSN program,
- Accelerated BSN program,
- Accelerated BSN to Ph.D. program, and
- Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP).
In addition to the Accelerated BSN program, which can be completed in 15 months, OHSU offers programs for nurse midwives and nurse practitioners; an RN-to-MSN bridge program that allows registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree from another institution to complete the last two years of their bachelor’s degree requirements through OHSU; a Certificate of Nursing Informatics designed for current RNs seeking entry into an MSN track in informatics; and numerous leadership development opportunities that include everything from an Executive MBA for Registered Nurses (EMBA) to mentorship programs for senior leaders within OHSU.
Furthermore, OHSU offers the cheapest accelerated nursing program in Oregon; which makes it a serious consideration for anyone who is looking for less expensive study options to enroll in.
Concordia University-Portland, Portland
Concordia University-Portland is a private university in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1905 as Concordia College.
The university offers several accelerated nursing programs to help prepare students for their roles as nurses. These include an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN), which takes a few months to complete and is designed for those who already hold bachelor’s degrees.
Its Post-baccalaureate Accelerated Track Certificate Program (PACTP) lasts two years and prepares students without bachelor’s degrees to enter into the professional nursing field; and the School of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN), which takes two years to finish after interested students looking to enroll in this program must have successfully completed their traditional BSN, or ABSN program, in which case.
Linfield College, Portland
Linfield College is a private liberal arts college with a student body of about 2,000 undergraduate students and 200 graduate students.
Located in the heart of Portland, Oregon’s Pearl District, Linfield boasts an outstanding location that combines urban living with the beauty of nature.
The college offers numerous outdoor opportunities including biking trails and scenic vistas from Skyline Boulevard. You will be able to enjoy all the amenities of Portland while still having access to Linfield’s well-equipped facilities for your convenience. The campus has been widely recognized for its sustainability efforts.
It offers a 12-month ABSN program that allows students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related course, or have been working in the field, to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to boost their credibility and employability status when they eventually join the workforce.
Prerequisites for Studying in Accelerated Nursing Programs in Oregon
According to Linfield College, students who want to study in accelerated nursing programs in Oregon must expect to have completed these course prerequisites before their admission applications can be considered:
- You must have all of the following courses completed (with satisfactory grades, see GPA requirements below) or in progress, at the time you apply for admission.
- WR 121 and WR 122 or equivalent college writing (minimum three semester or six quarter credits).
- A full sequence of biology (must include cell biology) or chemistry with labs.
- A full sequence of anatomy and physiology with labs (within seven years).
- Microbiology with lab (within seven years).
- Lifespan developmental psychology/human development (must include conception to death).
- Human nutrition (within seven years).
- Statistics.
Prerequisite Course Completion Requirements
- A minimum of 11 semester credits (16 quarter credits) in the lab sciences (biology/chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology) and all other prerequisite courses must be complete (not in-progress) by the final transcript deadline specified for each start term (see the Application Calendar section of the Admission Requirements page).
Successful completion of prerequisites and the resulting grades in these courses are vital factors in the admission decision, so students should have most, if not all, prerequisites completed by the time they apply.
We recommend having no more than one or two prerequisite courses in progress at the time a student applies.
- Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and nutrition must be completed within seven years of the application’s due date.
- Second-degree applicants satisfy the writing requirement by virtue of their first bachelor’s degree. No additional writing courses are required.
GPA Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in all prerequisite courses.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite science courses (biology or chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology).
- Minimum 2.7 GPA in prerequisite anatomy and physiology courses. Only two repeated grades for any anatomy/physiology course will be used in the calculation of the minimum GPA requirements.
If you have more than two repeats on any anatomy/physiology course, only the grade from the second repeated course will be used.
A “W” (withdraw) from any anatomy/physiology course will be counted as an attempt under this rule.
- All GPA requirements are calculated on prerequisite courses completed at the time of application and must be maintained through the completion of all prerequisite coursework.
- A letter grade of “C” or higher is required. Any coursework graded C- or below, P/NP, or S/U, does not meet prerequisite requirements and will not transfer to Linfield.
Popular FAQs About Accelerated Nursing Programs in Oregon
What are the accelerated nursing programs in Oregon?
There are three different accelerated nursing programs in Oregon found in our research.
You can apply for any or all of them that suit your needs.
Each one has its own requirements that you’ll need to meet before applying and some programs require more credits than others.
What are the requirements to study in accelerated nursing programs in Oregon?
The requirements vary by program, but there are some basic ones. You’ll need a BSN degree from an accredited institution, and proof of at least one year of clinical experience as an RN or higher-level nurse practitioner (NP).
You may also be asked to submit letters of recommendation.
In this article, we have used the requirements demanded by Linfield College to give you an idea.
You can use that to understand what most other accelerated nursing programs in Oregon require for admission consideration.
Is it worth studying in Oregon?
If you’re looking to study in Oregon, you’ve probably already got a pretty good idea of what the state has to offer.
But here are a few of our favorite reasons that make life great in this state:
1. It’s beautiful.
Whether you like mountains or beaches, there’s plenty of nature to enjoy in Oregon. You can hike through forests, camp on beaches, and take boat tours down rivers—all while enjoying the gorgeous scenery around you.
2. It’s easy to get around.
Oregon is a very small state with over 4 million people living in it (compared to California‘s 39.6 million).
This means that it’s super easy to get around without having to worry about traffic jams.
Plus, there are lots of public transportation options if you want to save some money by taking public transportation instead of driving every day.
3. There are tons of outdoor activities.
Oregonians love being outside and doing things like hiking, biking, kayaking, or basically anything that involves getting out into nature will be well-received by locals.
So, if this sounds like something that appeals to you then moving here (after studying) might be perfect for you too.
However, where Oregon falls short in is its high cost of living – the 5th highest state in the US.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, accelerated nursing programs in Oregon can be the perfect solution for many nurses looking to advance their careers.
With these programs, you can get a new degree quickly and easily so that you’re able to move on from your current position and into something better.
Now that you understand how accelerated nursing programs work, we hope that they’ll help guide you towards an even more fulfilling future.
Wrapping It Up
The field of nursing is constantly evolving and growing. As it does, so do the needs of patients and communities across Oregon.
By pursuing an accelerated nursing program in Oregon, students can meet this demand by gaining entry into a healthcare system that requires more nurses than ever before.
This type of program allows students to earn their bachelor’s degree and RN license in just three years (or two) instead of four or five years as part of traditional study plans. Do you have suggestions about these accelerated nursing programs in Oregon? Please leave a comment below.