Program of Study

What is the difference between the standard program (BS) and the Accelerated BS (ABS) program?

Both the OCNE and ABS programs yield the same degree: a Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Nursing. However, they offer different paths to get to this degree.

Our Accelerated Bachelor's of Science with a major in Nursing degree is a program for people who have or will have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field prior to matriculation but are wishing to earn their B.S. with a major in Nursing. Applicants with an accredited bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing or those anticipating the degree prior to starting the nursing program must complete eight additional prerequisite courses, which must be taken with a grade of “B-” or better. Once admitted, students will start the program in the summer and complete a generalist nursing curriculum that is comprised of five (5) intensive, consecutive quarters of full time nursing coursework required to achieve a B.S. with a major in Nursing. The B.S. degree is awarded at the successful completion of the undergraduate coursework, and graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX). The ABS program looks at a cumulative GPA, which must be above a 3.0. The deadline for applications for this program is typically January 15.

Our standard B.S. program is for people who have no previous degree or for people with a previous bachelor’s degree in another field. Applicants must do their 45 quarter credit hours of prerequisite requirements for one year at any accredited institution. Applicants must earn a “C-” or better in all prerequisite courses to be eligible. Once admitted, students will start the program in the fall of each year and complete a generalist nursing curriculum. Students will take classes and work with nurse preceptors in clinical settings with varying hours and schedules. This program is over a three year period and includes both nursing and non-nursing coursework; students have summers off. The B.S. degree is awarded at the successful completion of the undergraduate coursework, and graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX). The OCNE program looks at applicants’ prerequisite GPAs only, which must be above a 3.0. The deadline for applications for this program is typically February 15.

Can I accelerate through the standard B.S. program if I already have a bachelor’s degree or many of the courses from the program completed?

Students who already have bachelor's degrees or a lot of previous course credit can transfer credits toward our general education and non-nursing requirements if their credits are from accredited institutions, if the courses are college level, and they received a “C-” or higher in the courses. This would not make you advance through the program any faster (it would still take three years); no students are allowed to accelerate through this program. However, your course load for each term would be lighter as you would only be taking the nursing courses.

Can you complete either the standard B.S. or ABS program part-time, or are they offered online?

No, these bachelor’s programs are full-time programs of study not offered via distance education.

Where does OHSU rank with other nursing schools?

U.S. News and World Report ranks the OHSU School of Nursing among the top ten schools of nursing in the nation. The school’s midwifery program is ranked number one in the nation.

Prerequisites

Can I take my prerequisites at OHSU?

No, OHSU does not offer any pre-nursing or non-nursing coursework. Applicants may take prerequisite courses at any accredited institution where the course is college level and the grade meets the minimum program requirement.

Does it matter where I take my prerequisites?

No. The Admissions Committee does not focus on the institution where applicants take their prerequisites. You should choose an accredited institution that fits your needs as an individual student.

How does it affect me if my courses are taken at a semester institution?

OHSU determines GPAs based upon the calculation that 1 semester credit hour equals 1.5 quarter credit hours. A 3 semester credit hour course would be equivalent to a 4.5 quarter credit hour course. Credit hours are all translated into quarter credit hours with GPAs weighted accordingly in the GPA calculation.

If I’m applying to the ABS program and I received just one “C” in a prerequisite course, will my application be considered?

No. The requirement that prerequisite courses be taken with a grade of “B-” or better is a firm requirement. Your application will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee if you do not meet this requirement.

Can I retake prerequisite courses?

We encourage applicants to make their applications as competitive as possible. If you received a “C” in a prerequisite course for either program, you should take the course again to make your application competitive.

For the standard B.S. program, only your most recent grade in a course is considered when calculating the prerequisite GPA.

For the ABS program, both grades for the course will be calculated into the cumulative GPA, but if you receive a “B-” or higher in the repeated course, you will have met our requirement. Any courses that need to be repeated (if you received a grade of C or lower) must be completed prior to applying.

Can I apply to either the standard B.S. or ABS program if I don’t have all of my prerequisites complete?

In terms of prerequisites, it is fine to have classes still in progress while applying to either program.

For the standard B.S. program, you simply need to have your Intermediate Algebra/Math 95 or higher course as well as at least one term of Anatomy and Physiology complete by the end of Fall term when applying. Thirty quarter credit hours of prerequisites completed by the end of Fall term (or 20 semester hours completed by the end of fall semester) are also required to apply. All other prerequisite courses must be completed by the time you begin classes. However, it is better when applying to have more classes done than not, as it allows the Admissions Committee a better view of your academic capabilities.

Campus Information

Where can I attend OHSU’s standard B.S. program?

The OHSU School of Nursing has five campuses in Oregon for the OCNE program: Ashland, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Monmouth (pending OSBN approval) and Portland.

How can I get more information about the campuses and housing?

Visit our campus Web sites at: Ashland, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Monmouth and Portland.

Is the Accelerated BS Program offered at the regional OHSU campuses?

No, the accelerated programs are only offered at the Portland campus.

Applying

Can I apply to both the OCNE and ABS programs?

Yes, you may apply to both programs. You would need to fill out two (2) separate applications, submit two (2) different Prerequisite Coursework Forms, submit two (2) copies of your supplemental materials (we can carry over your official transcripts if you tell us to do so), and pay two (2) application fees. You would be considered separately for each program.

How do I get an application and when do I apply?

Applications are only available online. Please check the Application Deadlines page and the Steps to Apply page for more information. The applications must be postmarked by the respective deadlines and are to be mailed to the Admissions Office at OHSU SON SN-ADM, 3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR 97239-2941. Our admissions process is not rolling, so applications will be considered as a group after these deadlines.

Do I need to submit letters of recommendation, my résumé, or GRE scores with my application?

No, neither the OCNE program nor the ABS program accepts letters of recommendation or résumés as part of an application.  These submitted documents will not be considered by the Admissions Committee.  These programs do not require the GRE.

Are there other special requirements or skills I will need for the programs?

Yes. OHSU School of Nursing has some technical and computer skills that are required. Students will be involved in direct patient care and need critical and analytical thinking skills as well as some physical and interpersonal skills. Having EMT or CNA certification is not required.

How do I get accepted to the OHSU School of Nursing standard B.S. program?

Applications are reviewed based on your prerequisite GPA, your grades in Anatomy and Physiology, and your overall fit for the program (based on your proctored application essay).

How do I get accepted to the OHSU School of Nursing ABS program?

Applications are reviewed based on your cumulative GPA, your grades in your prerequisite courses, your previous bachelor's degree, and your overall fit for the program (based on your one-page goal statement).

What qualifications does the average accepted OCNE student have?  What are the OCNE statistics?

In 2006, we received over 620 applications statewide for our standard B.S. program and admitted approximately 70 students statewide.  The standard B.S. program is very competitive on each of our four campuses.  The average statewide accepted student prerequisite GPA was a 3.7, with an Anatomy and Physiology GPA of 3.7.  Below are the specific statistics for our campuses:

• On the Portland campus, we received over 350 applications and accepted a class of 24 students.
• On the Ashland campus, we received over 140 applications and accepted a class of 36 students. 
• On the La Grande campus, we received over 70 applications and accepted a class of 24 students.
• On the Klamath Falls campus, we received over 40 applications and accepted a class of 9 students.

In 2007, we received over 900 applications statewide for our standard B.S. program and admitted approximately 160 students statewide.  The standard B.S. program is very competitive on each of our four campuses.  The average statewide accepted student prerequisite GPA was a 3.7, with an Anatomy and Physiology GPA of 3.7.  Below are the specific statistics for our campuses:

• On the Portland campus, we received over 600 applications and accepted a class of 50 students.
• On the Ashland campus, we received over 150 applications and accepted a class of 52 students. 
• On the La Grande campus, we received over 100 applications and accepted a class of 30 students. 
• On the Klamath Falls campus, we received over 100 applications and accepted a class of 27 students.
  

In 2008, we received over 750 applications statewide for our standard B.S. program and admitted approximately 165 students statewide.  The standard B.S. program is very competitive on each of our five campuses.  The average statewide accepted student prerequisite GPA was a 3.78, with an Anatomy and Physiology GPA of 3.7.  Below are the specific statistics for our campuses:

• On the Portland campus, we received about 425 applications and accepted a class of 27 students.
• On the Ashland campus, we received about 120 applications and accepted a class of 52 students. 
• On the La Grande campus, we received about 75 applications and accepted a class of 30 students. 
• On the Klamath Falls campus, we received about 60 applications and accepted a class of 27 students.
• On the Monmouth campus, we received about 100 applications and accepted a class of 27 students.

For more information, please check out our Academic Profile.

What qualifications does the average accepted ABS student have? What are the ABS program class statistics?

In 2007, we received over 220 applications for our new ABS program and admitted approximately 32 students. This program is very competitive and intensive. The average accepted student cumulative GPA was a 3.6. About a quarter of our admitted students had a previous graduate degree in a non-nursing field.

In 2008, we received over 375 applications for our new ABS program and admitted approximately 46 students. The average accepted student cumulative GPA was a 3.76. About 20 percent of our admitted students had a previous graduate degree in a non-nursing field.

For more information, please check out our Academic Profile.

When will I know my admission status?

For the standard B.S. program, letters are mailed out June 1. For the ABS program, admission letters are mailed out in April. Applicants receive letters notifying them of their status either way.

What does my alternate status mean?

Each year we receive many more qualified applicants to our programs than we are able to admit. Some students are notified that they have been put on an alternate list where they can be admitted as spaces become available in the cohort. Many students anxiously await information regarding their status on the alternate list. Unfortunately, it is difficult for us to know how many students will be admitted from the alternate list each year, although we do expect offers of admission to be made. It is possible that an offer may be made as late as the week before classes start! We understand that not knowing is frustrating, but we encourage alternates to continue with their plans of completing prerequisite coursework so that if a space does become available, alternates are ready to accept their offer and begin the program.

What if I received a refusal letter?

If you received a refusal letter, you were not admitted to the program or placed on the alternate list for this year. Unfortunately, we received many more qualified applicants than we had open spaces for and consequently had to send many refusal letters. Many of the applicants who were refused meet the minimum admissions criteria. However, due to the large and highly qualified application pool, we had to refuse many qualified applicants. If you have questions about how to strengthen your application for next year, please email proginfo@ohsu.edu or call 503 494-7725 to talk with an Admissions Counselor.

With all this talk about a nursing shortage, why don’t you offer more applicants admission?

Currently we are also in a nursing faculty shortage and clinical placement shortage. As a member of the Oregon Nursing Leadership Council and the Nursing Consortium, OHSU is experiencing ways to explore its programs to educate more nurses. Our policy is to admit students based upon our funding and resources.

Tuition and Fees Information

How much will the programs cost?

Tuition and fee costs are available on our website. For the standard B.S. program, tuition is the same at all campuses, but fee costs will vary. Tuition and fees are subject to change each July.

How do I get information about financial aid?

Please see the Financial Aid Web page or contact the Financial Aid Office for more information at 503 494-7800 or 800 775-5460.

How do I know if I am considered a resident?

This information is on our Tuition and Fees page.  If you have further questions about your residency status, please contact the Registrar’s office at 503 494-7800 or 800 775-5460.

Can I work when I am enrolled in the bachelor's programs?

The OHSU School of Nursing standard B.S. and ABS programs are intensive programs with classes and clinical placements. Students may find working even part time difficult. For many students, employment while attending school is necessary. Jobs with flexible schedules are desirable in these circumstances. Students must adjust work hours to accommodate their school schedule. Students are strongly encouraged not to work while in the ABS program.

Does OHSU offer a “payback” program?

Unfortunately, no. OHSU offers an immediate tuition reduction benefit to employees/students on the Portland campus, only. If you are employed by OHSU in any capacity (research assistant, clerical, certified nursing assistant, food service, etc.) and maintain at least a part-time (20 hours a week) schedule, there are tuition benefits. Speak with your employing supervisor for details.

New Student Questions

How do I know where to start as a new OHSU student?

New students will receive information from their program coordinators by May for the ABS program and the beginning of August for the standard B.S. program either via email or postal mail. This information will give you specific information about getting started as an OHSU student, including orientation and registration information.

How do I know what to register for?

The course schedules for the entire year have been posted to the SoN website. They can be accessed by clicking on the Registration link from the main School of Nursing page, or going to the link http://www.ohsu.edu/son/student/registration.shtml. New students can follow the links to their specific campus schedules.

How does registration work?

Registering requires a student ID and PIN number, both of which were sent to all new students as automatic emails after their Admission Agreements and deposits were received by OHSU. If you did not receive this automatic email, the Registrar's Office can aid you in getting a new email sent (503-494-7800 or 1-800-775-5460).
Students can register through the ISIS system by entering the four digit CRN number for the appropriate classes in the program of study. For your nursing classes, each new student is guaranteed a slot in each nursing course you are required to take. OHSU is not like many other institutions at which you need to register as soon as registration opens in order to ensure you get into the courses that you need. Registering as soon as you are able to do is what we strongly recommend.

How will OHSU communicate with me?

Email is the primary mode of communication from the OHSU institution as well as many of your professors and staff. GroupWise is the email system that OHSU uses. As soon as you are assigned your GroupWise account, all email correspondence will be sent to that email address. Be sure to check this account regularly to stay in the loop.

Do I have to attend orientation?

The OHSU Orientation event is required. The ABS Orientation is typically in mid-late June and the standard B.S. Orientation is typically in mid-late September; the proposed dates are noted in your admission letter. You will receive a packet of information from the Office of Admissions with details regarding the event including parking, food, orientation schedules, etc. closer to the actual Orientation date.