If you have wanted to join the healthcare industry, there has never been a better time to find great opportunities. It is no secret that the US is facing a staffing shortage among nurses. While it may be an issue for the healthcare systems if left unaddressed, the shortage also offers prospective nurses the chance to help their communities. The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBON) is encouraging more potential nursing professionals to enter the field of nursing.
Becoming a registered nurse (RN) or Licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a great way to join the healthcare system in Oregon. Whether you choose to become a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse in Oregon, understanding the nursing board requirements in Oregon is essential.
At Fast CE For Less, we offer online nursing CEUs for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to help them fulfill their nursing continuing education requirements. For prospective nurses, we also create guides to help them navigate the process of becoming RNs or LPNs in their respective states. Today’s post will help you understand the nursing board requirements in Oregon.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
To become a registered nurse in Oregon, you need to complete a pre-licensure nursing degree, apply for a license via examination, and pursue nursing continuing education courses to renew your license.
Earn a Pre-Licensure Nursing Education Degree
Before you can apply for a license to become a registered nurse in Oregon, you must earn a relevant pre-licensure nursing degree. You can become eligible to apply for a license if you have a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Pursuing the longer BSN route can potentially be a better option to help you secure better-paying positions as a new nurse.
Regardless of the path you choose, you must earn the pre-licensure degree through a program approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of approved nursing programs published on the board’s official website here.
Apply for State Licensure via Examination
Once you obtain your nursing degree, you can apply for a state license to become an RN in Oregon via examination. The National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is the nationally-recognized licensing exam for registered nurses in the US. To take the NCLEX-RN, you must register with Pearson VUE and the Oregon State Board of Nursing by filling out the appropriate form published on its official website here.
Obtain Your Registered Nursing License
After completing registration, you must take and pass the NCLEX-RN. After you pass the exam, the Oregon State Board of Nursing will review all your documents. If you pass the exam and all of your documentation is approved, the board will issue your license in four to six weeks. It can take longer or shorter for the board to process your application, depending on various factors.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
To become a licensed practical nurse in Oregon, you need to complete a pre-licensure practical nursing program, apply for a license via examination, and pursue nursing continuing education courses to renew your credentials.
Earn a Pre-Licensure Nursing Education Degree
To become a licensed practical nurse in Oregon, you need to have a high school diploma. you will also need to complete a practical nursing program to become eligible to apply for a state license. When pursuing a practical nursing program, you must ensure it is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of approved nursing programs on the board’s official website here.
Apply for State Licensure via Examination
After earning a practical nursing certification, you must register for the National Council of Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The NCLEX-PN is the licensing exam required for practical nurses to receive their license. You must register with Pearson VUE and the Oregon State Board of Nursing to take the licensing exam.
Obtain Your Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate
Once you pass the NCLEX-PN, the Oregon State Board of Nursing will take four to six weeks to process your application, review your documents, and issue you the credentials to become a licensed practical nurse in Oregon. Note that it may take longer or shorter for the board to process your application.
Nursing Continuing Education Requirements
After becoming an RN or LPN in Oregon, your education does not end. To maintain high standards in the healthcare industry, nursing boards throughout the country require RNs and LPNs to renew their credentials every two to three years. An essential part of the renewal process is completing a number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses. Each state’s nursing board sets its own requirements for nursing continuing education.
For the Oregon State Board of Nursing, RNs and LPNs must renew their credentials once every two years. As an RN, renewing your license requires 400 nursing practice hours. Depending on the number of nursing practice hours you’ve completed in three to four years before renewal, you must complete 20-30 hours of continuing education courses, in addition to a one-time requirement to complete seven hours on pain management.
As an LPN, you need to complete a minimum of 960 hours of nursing practice in the previous 5 years to renew your credentials. The nursing continuing education requirements also vary between 20 and 30 hours, depending on how many nursing practice hours you completed. To find a more detailed breakdown of the nursing board requirements in Oregon for continuing education, visit www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-oregon/.
If you are already an RN or LPN and it is time for you to renew your license, online nursing CEUs like those offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com are the quickest and easiest solution for you.
