Preparing to Become an LPN in Oregon

If you live in Oregon, enjoy helping others, have a knack for science and want to enter a nursing career sooner than later, Practical Nursing may be the career for you. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) can get their licenses after completing one year of study (or less in accelerated programs).

Oregon LPNs are expected to experience a positive employment growth rate within the coming years, and they earn high-paying salaries in Oregon compared to the national average. These nurses are trained to assist Registered Nurses (RNs) and doctors in the treatment and care of medical patients. Practical nurses work in nursing homes, hospitals and clinics and make up an essential part of the healthcare team.

To be a Licensed Practical Nurse, you must have physical stamina, care about helping people and be able to take orders.

Before Becoming an LPN Before you can begin your career as an LPN, you must first graduate from high school or earn your GED equivalent. The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) requires LPNs to then complete a Board-approved training program in Practical Nursing. Most programs take one year, but some are accelerated and can be completed sooner. After earning your certificate or diploma in Practical Nursing, you can apply for your LPN license through the OSBN.Studying Practical Nursing in School Nursing education programs should be approved by the Oregon Board of Nursing to ensure that graduates will be eligible for the NCLEX-PN exam and state licensure. Here are a few Board-approved Practical nursing schools in Oregon:

• Rogue Community College (RCC). This school’s Table Rock Campus hosts a certificate in Practical Nursing, which takes one year to complete. Students should be able to take the NCLEX-PN exam after graduation and apply for their Oregon LPN license after additionally receiving CPR training.
• Sumner College. Based in Portland, this school’s Practical Nursing program takes 50 weeks to complete. There are no prerequisite courses required for this program, which makes starting your education easier.

The LPN License Process in Oregon In order to get an OSBN license, all LPNs go through the education and examination process. Those who hold LPN licenses from other states are able to apply for licensure through endorsement. Requirements to receive your LPN license include:

• Passing the NCLEX-PN exam, which is given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
• Forwarding official transcripts of successful completion of an approved LPN program
• Fingerprinting and criminal background check

Oregon Employment Projections and Income

In 2016, the Projections Managing Partnership (PMP) reported that 2,810 LPNs worked throughout the state of Oregon, and that number is expected to increase a fair amount, at 10 percent, by the year 2026. There is an average of 230 LPN job openings per year within Oregon.

Practical Nurses are also paid very well in Oregon, with a mean income of $24.54 per hour, compared to the national mean income of $21.65. This equates to a salary of about $51,040 per year for Oregon LPNs.

Where to Work as a Practical Nurse in Oregon

In 2017, the highest number of LPNs employed per city was in Portland, with Salem and Eugene following closely. The top paid LPNs in the state were in the Albany and the South Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan areas, earning mean wages of $26.24 and $25.28 per hour, respectively.

With high wages compared to the rest of the country and a future of employment growth, Licensed Practical Nursing is an excellent career for those who live in Oregon and want to enter the healthcare field.

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FAQs

How much do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn in the state of Oregon?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the state of Oregon made an average of $54,740 per year in 2019. Entry-level licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earned around $43,870 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $64,530.

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