The aging of the U.S. population, increased access to health coverage, and a shortfall of primary care physicians will cause a crisis within healthcare. Oregon, like other states, is particularly vulnerable as populations in rural areas do not have access to primary care. One measure the state has implemented to pick up the slack is to utilize nurse practitioners in medically under-served areas. The number of nurse practitioners in the state rose by 18% over a three year period in response to the new jobs created.
Nurse practitioners are the future of healthcare care in the state. The Oregon Healthcare Workforce Institute believes there is a very real role for NPs, especially as the number of licensed physicians continues to decline. As one of the most liberal states when it comes to advanced practice, nurse practitioners are able to diagnose, order lab work, and refer patients when needed. They are also eligible to write prescriptions. In other words, their role and function are similar to a family practice physician.
The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) requires nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses to complete graduate-level study and national certification in the focus area. NPs must apply for prescriptive authority with the initial application for licensure.
Specialized Learning
The master’s degree program with an emphasis on nursing supports the development of critical thinking and judgment. Students also gain an understanding of economics in the healthcare system, interdisciplinary care, and challenges within public health. Graduates are expert clinicians in general sense but also in their area of specialty. Since Oregon State recognizes three areas of advanced practice, universities in the state offer specialized training in those primary areas: Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Nurse Practitioners (NP). Enrollment in nurse practitioner programs is the highest for all three specialties and the area of study is further divided into population focus. Examples of course offerings for NP students include acute care, adult care, pediatrics, adult gerontology acute care, neonatal, and women’s health. Most students enter the MSN program to obtain the competencies for clinical practice. However, a few students seek to fulfill their calling to become a nurse educator to alleviate the shortage of nurse faculty in the state’s colleges and universities.
Nurse practitioners in Oregon must apply for prescriptive authority with their initial licensure request. As a direct response to this stipulation, the applicant must complete stand-alone nursing courses in physical assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacological content. The stipulation also applies to CRNAs and CNSs who plan to apply for prescriptive authority. As of January 1, 1086 all applicants for APRN must hold a minimum master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program to secure licensure within the state. Additionally, the nurse practitioner’s education must be specific to the role and population focus of practice.
The MSN program will include didactic instruction (delivered online or in the classroom) and clinical experiences. Areas of study will include the foundational principles and advanced to specialized coursework and clinical applications. Graduates are prepared as lifelong learners, patient advocates and industry leaders.
Here are the three pathways to pursue an MSN degree:
RN to MSN: The largest percentage of the nursing workforce still hold an associate’s degree – although a paradigm shift in the industry is sending more nurses back to school for a bachelor’s degree. Those nurses with an associate’s degree have the option to enroll in the graduate MSN program and complete the requirements much faster than it would take to obtain a bachelor’s degree followed by the master’s degree. The actual structure of the curriculum will depend on the university, but in most cases the student will complete the undergraduate coursework before commencing graduate study.
Direct Entry MSN: The direct entry MSN program admits primarily those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. A growing number of universities are rolling out the accelerated Bachelor of Science to Master’s program (ABSM) that admits persons with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. These candidates must complete the pre-licensure courses to take the NCLEX after the first 3 to 5 semesters of the program. Direct entry students must select a specialty role and population focus early in the program.
Post-Master’s Certificate: Post-master’s certificate study enables preparation for another role or population focus. The selection may be related to the current area of certification or an entirely different focus. Applicants must already have a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program and an APRN license. The curriculum is often presented in an online format and may be completed in 4 semesters.
General outline of the enrollment criteria:
Summary of Enrollment Criteria
- A completed application for admission before the program’s deadline. Make sure to complete all sections and provide any relevant information that will support entry.
- Submit official transcripts of all your college-level coursework from accredited programs. Have the registrar send the transcripts (via mail or electronically) to the School of Nursing.
- A cumulative GPA or 3.0 or above is a standard requirement for admission.
- Submit a copy of your license to practice as a registered nurse. The license must be current and unencumbered.
- Submit letters of reference – the number and source will be based on the school’s requirements.
- Complete the prerequisite courses and provide transcripts.
- Compose a statement of intent outlining your reasons for choosing the role and population focus and your plans for using the degree.
How Much Do MSN Programs Cost?
Graduate study is expensive but nursing students can reduce their costs through federal aid and internal and external scholarship awards. Every year, Oregon residents enrolled in graduate nursing programs at OHSU and other universities receive awards of up to $7000 to support their nursing education. The onus is on the prospective student to apply well before the scholarship deadline and examine the criteria to meet it as closely as possible.
Educational grants are an attractive source of funding as it is money you won’t have to repay. These are provided no governmental and non-profit organizations to students focusing on key populations to alleviate primary care shortages in medically under-served areas. You must meet the requirements to be eligible for the funds. Examples of grants available are the Rural Health Track and Nurse Faculty Loan Program.
The average cost of tuition for Oregon residents enrolled in a graduate nursing program is $583 per credit or $1,812 per term. The total cost of completing an MSN program is approximately $53,500.
Requirements For Advanced Practice Nurses Oregon
The Oregon State Board of Nursing issues licenses for three types of APRNs: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Applicants must APRN licensure must hold a current and valid registered nurse license in Oregon. The Board will issue a separate certification number for NP, CNS, or CRNA licensure and both the RN and APRN licenses will expire at the same time.
Oregon’s NPs must also apply for and maintain Prescriptive Authority with their initial certification. CNSs and CRNAs may apply for Prescriptive Authority after meeting additional requirements.
The OSBN will conduct a national fingerprint-based criminal background check and review nursing practice and discipline history for each applicant. Active background checks remain on file for 6 months at the OSBN. Therefore, you will not need to submit another check if you had one completed in the six months prior to your application for APRN licensure.
Guidelines for NP Licensure
Oregon recognizes the following NP specialties:
- Acute Care (ACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP)
- Adult (ANP)
- Family (FNP)
- Geriatric (GNP)
- Neonatal (NNP)
- Nurse Midwife (NMNP)
- Pediatric-Acute Care (PNP-AC)
- Pediatric-Primary Care (PNP-PC)
- Pediatric (PNP)
- Psychiatric/Mental Health (PMHNP)
- Woman’s Health Care (WHCNP)
To apply for licensure:
- Submit completed application forms LIC-203 and LIC-204.
- Enclose the application fees for initial certification and prescriptive authority: $150 and $75. NPs must apply for prescriptive authority. Make check or money order payable to the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The application fee is non-refundable.
- Request official sealed final transcripts from the graduate program (master’s or doctorate). The transcript should indicate the degree awarded and the graduation date of the qualifying NP program and must be sent directly to the OSBN in a sealed school envelope. The transcripts may also be sent via electronic transfer if the school subscribes to a national document transfer network.
- Submit a copy of your valid NP national certification that indicates the identification number and date of expiry.
- Register with Fieldprint Inc. to schedule and pay for your fingerprinting appointment – the Board will email or mail full instructions after receiving your application and payment. The fingerprinting fee is $64.50.
All applicants must meet practice requirement in one of the following ways:
- Complete a qualifying NP within two years from the date of application. This eligibility option requires candidates to provide proof of at least 384 hours of practice with an RN scope on the NP application. Continuing education hours or academic clinical practice requirements are not applicable.
- Complete at least 192 hours of practice as an NP in the population focus within two years from the application date.
- Complete at least 960 hours of practice as an NP in the population focus within five years from the application date.
Guidelines for CRNA Licensure
To apply for licensure:
- Submit completed application forms LIC-205 and LIC-204 (optional).
- Enclose the application fees for initial certification and prescriptive authority: $150 and $75. PA is optional for CRNAs. Make check or money order payable to the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The application fee is non-refundable.
- Request official sealed final transcripts from the graduate program (master’s or doctorate). The transcript should indicate the degree awarded and the graduation date of the qualifying CRNA program and must be sent directly to the OSBN in a sealed school envelope. The transcripts may also be sent via electronic transfer if the school subscribes to a national document transfer network.
- Submit a copy of your valid CRNA national certification that indicates the identification number and date of expiry.
- Register with Fieldprint Inc to schedule and pay for your fingerprinting appointment – the Board will email or mail full instructions after receiving your application and payment. The fingerprinting fee is $64.50.
- Include evidence of completing a graduate-level standalone nursing course in physical assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology if applying for prescriptive authority.
All applicants must meet practice requirement in one of the following ways:
- Complete a qualifying CRNA within two years from the date of application.
- Complete at least 850 hours of practice as a CRNA within two years from the application date.
Prescriptive Authority Practice Requirements for CRNAs
- Graduation from an accredited CRNA program within two years leading up to the application date, OR
- Possession of a current, unencumbered prescriptive authority license in another state, US jurisdiction, or federal institution and at least 150 hours of utilizing that authority within two years from the application date, OR
- Validation of your competency to prescribe in current practice by a licensed independent prescribing practitioner. Candidate must demonstrate the completion of at least 150 hours of clinical expertise in applied pharmacological management and differential diagnosis.
Guidelines for CNS Licensure
To apply for licensure:
- Submit completed application forms LIC-206 and LIC-204 (optional).
- Enclose the application fees for initial certification and prescriptive authority: $150 and $75. PA is optional for CNSs. Make check or money order payable to the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The application fee is non-refundable.
- Request official sealed final transcripts from the graduate program (master’s or doctorate). The transcript should indicate the degree awarded and the graduation date of the qualifying CNS program and must be sent directly to the OSBN in a sealed school envelope. The transcripts may also be sent via electronic transfer if the school subscribes to a national document transfer network.
- Submit a copy of your valid CNS national certification that indicates the identification number and date of expiry.
- Register with Fieldprint Inc to schedule and pay for your fingerprinting appointment – the Board will email or mail full instructions after receiving your application and payment. The fingerprinting fee is $64.50.
- Include evidence of completing a graduate-level standalone nursing course in physical assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology if applying for prescriptive authority.
All applicants must meet practice requirement in one of the following ways:
- Complete a qualifying CNS within two years from the date of application.
- Complete at least 192 hours of practice as a CNS within two years from the application date.
- Complete at least 960 hours of practice as a CNS within five years from the application date.
Prescriptive Authority Practice Requirements for CNSs
- Graduation from an accredited CNS program within two years leading up to the application date, OR
- Possession of a current, unencumbered prescriptive authority license in another state, US jurisdiction, or federal institution and at least 150 hours of utilizing that authority within two years from the application date, OR
- Validation of your competency to prescribe in current practice by a licensed independent prescribing practitioner. Candidate must demonstrate the completion of at least 150 hours of clinical expertise in applied pharmacological management and differential diagnosis.
Note for applications: The OSBN requires approximately three weeks to review applications after you submit a completed application and fee. Make sure to complete all sections and sign and date the application. APRN applications for licensure will remain active for one year from the date of receipt and will become null and void after the expiration date.
APRN Renewal Requirements Oregon
Your initial license period will depend on your birth date and birth year and may be valid for 90 days to a maximum of 2 years and 89 days. Renewals after the initial renewal will be based on a two-year cycle.
To avoid late fees, you must renew by the end of the day before your birthday. If you were born in an even-numbered year, you would renew during even-numbered years. The same applies if you were born in an odd-numbered year.
You may initiate renewal up to 90 days before the expiry date of your license. The OSBN will mail a courtesy reminder to the email address on file. However, your obligation to renew will not cease if you do not receive the courtesy email. It is your responsibility to renew on time to keep practicing. The renewal period is a good time to update your contact information with the OSBN if you changed your address or contact numbers.
If you are a CRNA and do not hold prescriptive authority, you must provide proof of continued national certification from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Submit a copy of your updated certification indicating the new expiration date and identification number.
If you are a CNS and do not hold prescriptive authority, you attest to completing at least 40 contact hours of CEs during the two-year licensure period. Twenty of those hours (50%) must be a structured activity. Documentation of valid national certification may be provided in lieu of the 50% structured hours.
The renewal fee for RN with CRNA is $213 or $313 with PA. The late renewal cost of $413 or $513 with PA.
The renewal fee for RN with CNA is $233 or $313 with PA. The late renewal cost is $433 or $513 with PA.
The renewal fee for RN with NP-PP is $313. The late renewal cost is $513.
Continuing Education Requirements
APRNs who hold prescriptive authority must attest to meeting the following practice and continuing education requirements for renewal.
Practice requirements:
- Complete at least 150 hours of practice using the current prescriptive authority within the two-year active license period, OR
- Complete a 45-hour pharmacology course from an OSBN approved provided within the two-year licensure period. Submit the certificate of completion with the renewal application.
Continuing Education requirements:
- Maintain unencumbered national certification for the specialty (NP, CNS, or CRNA) to satisfy the continuing education renewal requirements, OR
- Attest to completing of a minimum of 45 structured contact hours of CEs. At least 15 of the required 45 hours must cover APRN-level pharmacotherapeutic content.
Contact the Board of Nursing:
Oregon State Board of Nursing
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97224-7012
Phone: 971-673-0685
Fax: 971-673-0684
Email:
oregon.bn.info@state.or.us
MSN Programs Oregon
Portland, OR MSN programs:
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239
503-494-8311
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203-5798
503-943-8000