Is nursing right for me?
College of Health
Thinking about a career in nursing?
Here's what you need to know.
What does a nurse do?
Nurses work as part of the healthcare team to provide individualized care to patients. They develop and manage care plans, instruct patients and their families on proper care, help patients cope with illness, aid in disease prevention and promote healthy living.
Nurses provide support across the full spectrum of care, from basic triage to emergency surgery. The field offers a wide range of career opportunities, from entry-level practitioner to doctoral-level researcher.
What settings do nurses work in?
Nurses work in hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics, retirement homes and hospice facilities. They may also work in private homes, schools, occupational health settings and camps. Some nurses choose to work internationally, conduct research or act as consultants.
What is the average salary of a nurse?
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $86,070 in May 2023. Starting salaries may be higher depending on location. Because of the nursing shortage, many employers offer signing bonuses or loan repayment assistance. Travel nurses can often earn significantly more. Current salary data.
What is the projected job outlook for nurses?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 5% from 2024-34, faster than the average for all occupations. Learn more about the job outlook.
What type of degree do I need to become a nurse?
You can become a nurse by earning either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). A BSN is a four-year degree from a college or university; an ADN is typically earned through a community or technical college and requires prerequisite coursework before entering the program.
To become a registered nurse (RN), graduates must pass the NCLEX exam to become licensed through the State Board of Nursing. There is currently a strong push for ADN graduates to go on to earn a bachelor's degree.
How competitive is nursing school?
Nursing school is very competitive. In the 2018 application cycle, OHSU received approximately 1,795 applications and accepted 428 students (about 24%); the average prerequisite GPA of accepted students was 3.85.
Strong applicants typically have:
- A strong overall GPA, with at least a 3.5 in prerequisites and no grade lower than a B
- Well-rounded work, volunteer and extracurricular experience, including healthcare-related experience
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
- Compassion and attention to detail
Do I need certified nursing assistant (CNA) experience before applying?
Having medical experience, paid or volunteer, will strengthen your application. Nursing schools value applicants who understand what nursing involves and can speak to why it's the right fit for them.
CNA requirements vary by program, so check with each school you're applying to. CNA certification is more commonly required for ADN programs than BSN programs, but completing one can help you build valuable hands-on experience either way.
Where can I get my certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
How long does it take to complete a nursing degree?
BSN programs will take you a minimum of four years to complete, while an ADN typically takes three years to complete, including general education and nursing coursework. Accelerated and direct-entry master’s nursing programs’ completion timelines vary but are typically 15-16 months.
What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)?
A BSN is a four-year degree granted by a college or university. Six Oregon universities offer the BSN. Most programs require about two years of prerequisite coursework before admission, and some require scores on nursing school pre-admission tests.
An ADN is granted by a two-year college. In Oregon, 17 community colleges offer ADN programs. These also require some coursework before admission and typically take about three years total including general education and nursing courses.
Why pursue a BSN?
A BSN opens doors to more nursing positions, greater career options and higher earning potential. Many employers now list a BSN as a preference or requirement, and organizations such as the American Nurses Association recognize it as the minimum standard for professional nursing.
A BSN is also a prerequisite for most advanced practice nursing programs, including nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist roles, which require a master's degree.
Students with a bachelor's degree in any major can also apply to accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs or direct-entry master's programs, which are designed specifically for career changers and students from non-nursing backgrounds. An Accelerated BSN program is typically 18 months long, and the direct-entry MSN programs are at least two or three years, depending on the focus of the program.
What is an accelerated BSN program?
ABSN programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. Students focus entirely on the nursing courses and clinical work required for a BSN, preparing them for RN licensure and, if interested, graduate study. Most programs begin in summer term. In Oregon, Linfield University and OHSU (Portland and Ashland campuses) currently offer ABSN programs.
What is a direct-entry MSN program?
Direct-entry MSN programs follow a similar model to the ABSN for the first 15–16 months, covering nursing education and clinical work, including the NCLEX-RN boards. From there, programs vary — some require students to be working clinically while completing MSN specialization courses (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, pediatric nurse, nurse midwife, etc.), while others are structured as continuous full-time study. Most require a minimum of two years total.
How long does each degree take?
- BSN: Minimum four years. Most schools use a 2+2 model — two years of prerequisites, two years in the nursing program. OHSU and OCNE partner schools use a 1+3 model.
- ABSN: Typically 18 months for students who already hold a bachelor's degree
- Direct-entry MSN: Varies; typically 18 months to three years of full-time study
- ADN: About two to three years including general education