Like many states across the country, Oregon is facing a primary care physician shortage, particularly in the eastern, more rural part of the state. Nurse practitioners (NPs) have a unique opportunity to step in and fill these roles, helping people gain access to much-needed primary and preventative care.
Oregon grants NPs full practice authority. In the Beaver State, NPs can order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat patients, and prescribe medication independently, without having to work collaboratively with or being supervised by a physician. NPs in this state can open private practices, giving them a unique opportunity to take control of their careers.
There are many other reasons to consider working as an NP in Oregon. The state boasts multiple hospitals and healthcare systems, so career opportunities are abundant. Oregon Health & Science University Hospital is the top hospital in the region and also offers some of the best NP programs in the state. There are also professional organizations where NPs can network, including Nurse Practitioners of Oregon and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Oregon also offers a lot of variety. If you’re interested in city living, you can head to Portland, Eugene, or Salem, but there are lots of small towns and suburbs to choose from, too. Oregon is an ideal destination for nature lovers, where you can seek out adventures at Crater Lake National Park, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Cape Perpetua, or the Columbia River Gorge.
Nurses looking to advance their careers have plenty of reasons to consider living and working in Oregon. There are limited options for NP programs in the state, but the available programs offer terminal degrees and many boast 100% pass rates for certification exams. If you’re looking to pursue an NP degree in this state, consider one of the following programs.
Program Overview:
OHSU is the largest employer in Portland and the largest research institution in the state. It was formed in 1887 as the University of Oregon Medical School. In 1975, it became a freestanding academic health sciences university after the state combined the University of Oregon’s schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing. The School of Nursing has roots back to 1910, introducing baccalaureate programs in 1926 and master’s-level programs in 1955. Today, it offers three DNP options for those wishing to pursue careers as NPs.
The BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner track is 115 credits with 1,000 clinical hours and boasts a 100% first-time pass rate for the certification exam. It features small class sizes, clinical simulation and teaching, and distance options for communities across Oregon. All clinical placements and preceptors are arranged by the school.
The AGNP in Acute Care DNP track is a 106-credit program that takes three years to complete full-time. The hybrid format allows students to do most classroom work from home, but they are expected to travel to the Portland campus at least once per quarter. Because clinical experiences can include rotations in ICUs, operating rooms, and other acute care areas, some clinical work will take place in Portland. Graduates of this program have a 100% board pass rate over the past several years.
The third option is a BSN to DNP PNP in Acute/Primary care. This dual specialty 111-credit program prepares students to care for a range of pediatric patients through didactic and clinical courses in a hybrid format. Students may complete some coursework at home, but students must participate in 1:1 annual reviews with the director of the program and attend 1000 hours of clinical practicums at two children’s hospitals local to Portland. Like the other DNP programs at Oregon Health & Science University, this one also boasts a 100% certification exam pass rate.
Program Overview:
UP opened its doors in 1901, then called Columbia University, named after the river that flowed nearby. The school became the University of Portland in the 1930s, and the St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing became part of the University as the College of Nursing.
Today, the University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations offers students unique learning opportunities in its Elsie-Finley Simulated Health Center, where future nurses and NPs get hands-on experience in high-fidelity, immersive experiences to prepare for their futures. This center features acute care beds, acute care simulation suites, primary care exam rooms, high-fidelity manikins, an ambulatory care center, a telehealth provider suite, and a simulated studio apartment. Students engage in a variety of patient scenarios where they practice managing complex patients while navigating ethical and medical challenges. Each simulation activity is recorded and reviewed by faculty, students, and peers during debriefing sessions.
The DNP FNP program at the University of Portland is designed for nurses with either a BSN or MSN degree who are seeking a DNP and wish to practice as a daily nurse practitioner. The program is 76 credits with 960 clinical hours and is structured in a hybrid format. Most of the coursework is completed online, but students must come to the Portland campus one weekend every month. Weekend classes are generally scheduled between 8 am and 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, but occasional Fridays may be required. There are also on-campus intensives during the summer in the second year of the program to help students prepare for clinical experiences.
NP Programs in Other States
Washington
Idaho
Alaska
Hawaii
Nevada
California