Search job listings by city:
A Nursing Career Resource with Licensing Info & Job Openings
The nursing profession is held in high regard. Being a care giver can be rewarding in so many ways, the least of which are strong sense of self and personal growth. If you are dependable, flexible and always ready to learn something new, then nursing may be right up your alley. There will always be a need for nurses. Even with today’s unemployment rate, nurses are still in high demand. The pay and benefits are attractive and the field competitive.
To qualify for work as a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), the state of Oregon requires you to obtain a degree. If you choose the RN path, you will be expected to complete either a two year Associate’s Degree or a four year Bachelor’s Degree. You will also be required to follow the core curriculum, including many classes that are designed to make you a better rounded student. To become an LPN, you will be required to take approximately one year of training. Keep in mind that your full or part time status will affect the amount of time it takes you to earn your degree.
After completing your education, you will next need to apply for the ‘boards.’ The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is designed to measure how accurately you retained the information you were taught. The same testing is used across the country. The application for the NCLEX is available from either your school or the website for the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Along with the application, you will need to send in a non-refundable testing fee. It is mandatory for you to pass this test before you can apply for a license. If you do not pass, you will have to reapply and retake the test until you do pass. Once you pass the NCLEX, you will be eligible to apply for a nursing license. The application can be found on Oregon State’s Board of Nursing’s website. Oregon is not a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact, so anyone wishing to practice here will have to obtain an Oregon license.
Nursing licenses, in Oregon, are valid for two years. To renew your Oregon license, you must prove that you have worked at least one-hundred ninety-two hours of clinical practice in the last two years. You will also need to submit a renewal form and a renewal fee of $145.00.
 |  |