Last Updated on December 28, 2022
The Nursing Program at Portland Community College (PCC) emphasizes preparing students with the knowledge and skills needed to improve the health of our communities.
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Portland Community College Nursing
In PCC’s Nursing program, you will learn the knowledge and skills required for an entry-level nursing job. Our program is designed to prepare you to be licensed as a registered nurse (RN). RNs deliver nursing care in a variety of health care settings.
The Oregon Employment Department forecasts Portland area nursing employment will increase 20.5% through 2027.
Why choose Nursing at PCC?
Salary
The Oregon Employment Department reports Portland area nurses earn from $32.58-$59.24 per hour. The average annual salary is $93,323.
Over 95% of Portland Community College nursing graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses in each of the three most recent years. See our student achievement data [pdf] for details.
Approval and accreditation
Degrees and certificates
Award | Length | Financial aid eligible | Currently accepting students? |
---|---|---|---|
Associate Degree: Nursing | 2 years | Limited entry, see how to get into this program |
Locations
- Sylvania
What will you learn?
PCC’s nursing program is designed to develop a variety of medical, technical and clinical judgment skills such as:
- Analysis
- Communication
- Counseling
- Evaluation
- Intervention
- Intravenous therapy
- Medication administration
- Physical assessments
- Planning
- Sterile techniques
- Supervision
- Teaching
What will you do?
As a nurse, your responsibilities will vary depending on where you choose to work. Your exact job activities will vary from day to day, depending on the type and condition of the clients under your care. However, each day will call for careful observation, decision-making and problem solving. Providing nursing care is both challenging and rewarding.
Who will hire you?
There are hundreds of nursing employers in the Portland area:
- Birthing centers
- Clinics
- Community hospitals
- Emergency departments
- Extended care facilities
- Health departments
- Home health care agencies
- Intensive care units
- Medical centers
- Nursing homes
- Physicians’ offices
- Rehabilitation centers
- Schools
You will be able to work just about anywhere your imagination takes you. Nurses are found in cities, rural areas, overseas, in the armed forces, at home, in institutions and industry.

Program costs
These costs are estimates based on the 2020-21 academic year. Additional costs include food, housing, school supplies, child care, transportation, health insurance, immunizations, professional membership, travel to and parking fees for clinical sites, clinical requirements (such as BLS certification, background check, and urine drug screen), and post-graduation licensing fees.
Students are advised to seek financial aid while enrolled in the nursing program to limit their need for full-time employment.
Item | Cost |
---|---|
Tuition, lab, and fees | See tuition and fees |
Books | $1100 (approximate) |
Uniforms and shoes | $300 |
Watch with second hand | $45 |
Stethoscope | $50-200 |
ATI exams & tools | $2597 |
nursing programs in portland oregon
List of accredited nursing schools in Portland, Oregon

Portland is home to the state of Oregon’s largest medical center, Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. This facility is ranked regionally and nationally, and it provides a framework of resources and infrastructure for surrounding nursing institutions. The hospital is part of the larger Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), which offers baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degree programs on a wide array of nursing topics.
Portland degree programs
At the baccalaureate level, OHSU offers the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. The traditional BSN is a four-year program that trains independent healthcare professionals to assume leadership roles in the medical arena. Registered nurses (RNs) who already hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) can instead enroll in an accelerated RN-to-BSN program. After completing the BSN program, RNs can pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) at OHSU, in order to train for specialized roles like nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner. The University of Portland is a highly regarded local private school that also offers all of these nursing degree programs.
Portland certificate programs
Aspiring certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) must complete a briefer certificate program before practicing in the state of Oregon. LPN programs require 12 to 18 months of fulltime study, while CNA programs typically take just eight to ten weeks to complete. These certificate programs are offered by numerous community and career colleges in the Portland area, including Concorde Career College, Mt. Hood Community College, and Pioneer Pacific College in Wilsonville.
Learn more about local nursing programs by reviewing our detailed list of Portland nursing schools. We’ve profiled each college in depth below, including recent NCLEX test scores where relevant.
Portland nursing schools by NCLEX score
School | Program | NCLEX score | Time period |
---|---|---|---|
Clackamas Community College | Associate’s Degree in Nursing | ||
Concorde Career College – Portland | Certificate in Practical Nursing | ||
George Fox University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | ||
Linfield University | Accelerated Second Degree BSN | ||
Bachelor of Science in Nursing | |||
Master of Science in Nursing: Leadership in Healthcare Ecosystems | |||
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion | |||
Mt. Hood Community College | Associate’s Degree in Nursing | ||
Certificate in Perioperative Nursing for the RN | |||
Certificate in Practical Nursing | |||
Oregon Health & Science University | Accelerated Second Degree BSN | ||
Bachelor of Science in Nursing | |||
Doctor of Nursing Practice | |||
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing | |||
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner | |||
MSN: Nurse-Midwifery | |||
MSN: Nursing Education | |||
MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | |||
Master of Nursing in Nurse Anesthesia | |||
Master of Science in Nursing | |||
Post-Baccalaureate DNP | |||
Post-Baccalaureate PhD | |||
Post-Master’s Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | |||
Post-Master’s Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner | |||
Post-Master’s Certificate: Nurse-Midwifery | |||
Post-Master’s Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | |||
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion | |||
Pioneer Pacific College – Wilsonville | Certificate in Practical Nursing | ||
Portland Community College | Associate’s Degree in Nursing | ||
Sumner College | Associate’s Degree in Nursing | ||
Certificate in Practical Nursing | |||
University of Portland | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | ||
Doctor of Nursing Practice | |||
MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader | |||
MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist | |||
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner | |||
MSN: Nursing Administration | |||
Master of Science in Nursing | |||
Post-Baccalaureate DNP | |||
Walla Walla University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | ||
LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program |

portland community college nursing program review
Portland Community College (PCC) is a large 2-year Portland Community College with over 30,000 students. Portland Community College was established in 1961 as an adult education program affiliated with Portland Public Schools. The college has three campuses all located in Portland- Rock Creek, Sylvania and Cascade in addition several centers in Portland, Hillsboro and Beaverton. Portland Community College awards associate’s degrees and certificates. Portland Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Nursing Programs
The ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program at Portland Community College is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN). Portland Community College is a member of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE).
Portland Community College Undergraduate Nursing Programs
Nursing AAS (Associate of Applied Science)
The undergraduate nursing program at Portland Community College prepares students to become entry-level RNs (Registered Nurses). In addition to coursework, students participate in clinical practicum experiences at a variety of local hospitals including VA and children’s medical centers. Admission requirements to the AAS Nursing program at Portland Community College include completing prerequisite courses with a grade “C” or better prior to beginning the program and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses for the nursing program include Nutrition, Human Development, English Composition, Anatomy and Physiology and Algebra. After completing requirements for the nursing program, students earn an AAS in Nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, National Council for Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses, to become a Registered Nurse (RN). The AAS (Associate of Applied Science) in Nursing degree is a specific degree for nurses seeking immediate employment upon completing their academic program rather than a four-year degree. The Nursing AAS program can be completed in six terms following completion of course prerequisites.
Certificate Nursing Courses at Portland Community College
CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) 1 and 2
The CNA program at Portland Community College prepares students to become certified nursing assistant. The first course focuses on certification and the CNA 2 course on delivering acute care. The CNA 1 program is 150 hours total split between a clinical practicum and coursework. Upon completion of the CNA training program, students are eligible to take the state board exam to become a certified nursing assistant. The CNA 2 course provides an additional 64 hours of classroom training and clinical experience for eligibility to work in an acute care setting.
Non-Credit Nursing Courses at Portland Community College
Nursing courses at Portland Community College are also offered on a non-credit basis including Trauma Nursing and Emergency Nursing in Pediatrics. Short term course offerings change each semester. Interested students should consult the course schedule for nursing courses which may offer additional experience.
BSN Transition Programs at Portland Community College
Portland Community College can go from earning their AAS in Nursing to BSN with ease by utilizing one of several college partnerships. Portland Community College has partnered with Oregon Health and Sciences University and Linfield College to offer BSN programs to students at Portland Community College. Students who choose Oregon Health and Sciences University will be continuing in the OCNE curriculum plan of which both Portland Community College and Oregon Health and Sciences University utilize. The program can be completed in four years total. Through an articulation agreement students at Portland Community College have provisional acceptance to the RN to BSN program at Linfield College.