Oregon is a state dominated by natural beauty, the continuing pursuit of agriculture and a growing number of technology companies that are on the forefront of cutting edge technology . Nursing though is another vocation that continues growing in Oregon and there are a number of very good nursing programs in Oregon to help potential students achieve their health care career goals.
The State of Nursing in Oregon – Those who choose to pursue a degree at one of the many accredited nursing programs in Oregon often gravitate towards the larger cities in the state Oregon such as Portland to work. Some also cross over in neighboring Vancouver, Washington as there is no income tax charged there although doing so does require sitting a second licensing exam! There are certainly a lot of opportunities for graduates of Oregon nursing programs in theses areas and the city of Portland and the surrounding area is a great place to live, a city that is large in size but still has a very welcoming small town vibe to it as well.
The average salaries commanded by graduates of nursing programs in Oregon is one of the questions most students want answered before they make the final decision to enroll in nursing programs in Oregon. On average, the salaries for Oregon nurses are about 5% higher than the national norm. An LPN graduate of nursing programs in Oregon can expect to make around $45,0000 annually, while a registered nurse can command somewhere in the region of $69,000. Many of those who attend nursing programs in Oregon do choose to obtain their LPN license first by completing a year long courses of study. After finding employment they then continue their nursing education on a part time basis to become a registered nurse, perhaps even an advanced practice nurse to earn a higher salary and take on more challenging duties within the medical field.
What Kinds of Schools Offer Nursing Programs in Oregon – A number of different types of nursing programs in Oregon exist for students to choose from . Most community colleges offer both LPN and RN programs. An RN program undertaken at a community college awards an RN with an Associates in Nursing only though. If a student wishes to attain a BSN in nursing, something more and more employers are looking for they do have to attend a 4 year college or university, although an RN to BSN degree is unique in that it can be completed through an accredited online school.
There is another new alternative for Rns looking to complete a BSN though. A recent partnership between the state’s community colleges and the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing in Portland now allows nurses to complete their BSN, which will officially be awarded to them by the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing at their local community college, negating any need for them to travel out of their own town to complete their degree.