Oregon is magnificent Pacific Northwest state with a variety of landscapes, from ocean to mountain to waterfall to forest to high desert. If you live in this multifaceted state and are happen to be interested in the field of Licensed Practical Nursing, you may find some helpful information on this page. The information has been divided into sections to make it easier to read. The first section covers information on the composition of LPN schooling programs, the second section covers information on typical job duties of LPNs in Oregon, the third section covers information on licensing for LPNs in Oregon, and the fourth and final section contains information about different schools in Oregon that potentially offer Practical Nursing courses.

Licensed Practical Nurse Schooling: Basic Information

Practical Nursing programs in Oregon may look like shorter RN programs; much like RN programs, since they usually offer classes, labs, and clinicals, but the duration may be different (although this depends on the school and may not always be the case). Most of the classes are nursing classes, of course, but some LPN programs may also require general education classes, like English or psychology. Topics that may be covered in nursing classes could include nutrition, medical pharmacology, various mental health topics, as well as a variety of other areas. To help students practice what they learn in the classroom, labs may be offered to teach students the practical side of working as an LPN. In the lab, students may be able to perform the techniques they learn on other students or mannequins as an instructor critiques them. In order to gain real-life experience, clinicals are often provided during LPN educational programs. Responsibilities during the clinical might increase as the student moves through the program.

Common Work Duties for LPNs

Oregon LPNs perform various job duties which could include helping patients at their bedside or other tasks that may require an LPN to be specially educated. LPNs performing bedside care might help with bandages, wound care, and dressing patients who cannot dress themselves. They may also help patients with personal hygiene. LPNs may spend time with the patients to hear and address any healthcare concerns they might have. They also may take and record the a variety of patient medical measurements. For LPNs who have special schooling, other tasks may be assigned depending on the various requirements. For example, they may be able to work with IVs, assist with dialysis, and work with catheters. LPNs may be asked to work many other job duties, as well, such as completing paperwork, administering medication, and supervising assistants or aides. Job duties may also change according to location. For example, LPNs working in an infant intensive care unit might have very different tasks, such as bottle feeding infants, from LPNs working in a regular health care clinic. LPNs may work at hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, children’s homes, or in-home-healthcare services.

Information About LPN Licensing in Oregon

Following is some information on LPN licensing in the state of Oregon; not all requirements may be covered, so check the Oregon State Board of Nursing website for the most current information on becoming licensed as an LPN in Oregon.

LPN applicants in Oregon must graduate from a state-approved licensed practical nursing program and send a transcript in from the nursing school. They must also be fingerprinted for a criminal history background check. Appropriate fees must be paid, and a picture is also required along with the application for the license. Finally, just as with other states, Oregon LPN applicants must pass the National Licensure Council Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Oregon does not allow graduate nursing; all LPNs must be licensed BEFORE orientation begins for their first LPN job.

The NCLEX-PN is a computerized exam that examinees must pass in order to be eligible for LPN licensure. The exam chooses questions based on the examinee’s prior responses, and the amount of questions in any particular exam can vary depending on how the person taking the test answers the questions. The exam is graded not on a sliding scale, but based on a preset standard that the student must reach. Thus, the exam is pass/fail, not percentage-based. Each exam is different, and students may take the exam more than once in order to pass (however, there may be a waiting period required in between re-takes).

Oregon Practical Nursing Schools

The schools in the following list may (check with them to be sure) have practical nursing courses or programs.

Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97305
(503) 399-5000

Clatsop Community College
1651 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103
(503) 338-2419

Central Oregon Community College
2600 NW College Way, Bend, OR 97701
(541) 383-7285

Columbia Gorge Community College
400 E Scenic Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058
(541) 296-6182

Mt Hood Community College
26000 SE Stark St, Gresham, OR 97030
(503) 491-7235

Pioneer Pacific College
27501 SW Parkway Ave, Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 682-3903

Oregon Coast Community College
400 SE College Way, Newport, OR 97366
(541) 265-2283

Rogue Community College
3345 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527
(541) 956-7500

Sumner College
15115 SW Sequoia Pkwy, Portland, OR 97224
(503) 223-5100

Treasure Valley Community College
650 College Blvd, Ontario, OR 97914
(541) 881-8822

Umpqua Community College
1140 Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg, OR 97470
(541) 440-4600

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