If you're an LPN who wants to become an RN, you'll have plenty of job prospects. Like in most states, the supply of RNs in Oregon is not enough to meet anticipated demand by 2020. Ambulatory care, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities are expected to add the most jobs in coming years, according to the Oregon Healthcare Workforce Committee.
Jobs for Oregon RNs are already concentrated in these areas. About 55 percent of the state's RNs work in hospitals, 15 percent in physicians' offices and clinics, and about 10 percent in long-term care. A total of over 32,000 RNs work in the state and their mean annual salary is over $75,000.
LPNs who want to join this workforce have a choice of several LPN to ADN programs around the state. LPN to BSN programs are scarce, so most LPNs who want this degree get an ADN and then transfer into a four-year institution for a basic BSN or an RN to BSN accelerated program. Even with federal or state tuition assistance, paying for your education may seem daunting. Your employer may offer tuition reimbursement, and scholarship information can be found at the Oregon State Board of Nursing or Oregon Student Nurses Association. Visit the Oregon Nurses Association for more information about becoming an RN.
Some LPN to RN programs to consider:
Central Oregon Community College (Bend, OR). COCC is a mid-sized college that has small class sizes. LPNs may transfer into the second year of the program after completing prerequisites.
Southwestern Oregon Community College (Coos Bay, OR). SOCC offers some prerequisites and nursing classes online. LPNs must have 500 hours of clinical experience to qualify for admission.
Treasure Valley Community College (Ontario, OR). TVCC is committed to a quality, low-cost education. For advanced-placement LPNs, some prerequisites and nursing classes are offered online.
