School of Nursing

Oregon Nursing Education Academy

Focus to recruit, retain and educate nurse educators

The Oregon Nursing Education Academy (ONEA) is part of a national initiative to increase nurse educators as part of a larger effort to address the nursing shortage. The program aims to boost the number of clinical nursing faculty and preceptors — experienced nurses who mentor recently graduated nurses and nursing students in hospitals, clinics and other patient care settings.

The Clinical Nursing Faculty Scholar program

The Clinical Nursing Faculty Scholar program is a scholarship to enter and complete the Master’s in Nursing Education (MNE) program with stipend travel support to attend a simulation intensive.

Please visit the MNE website to learn more about the Master’s in Nursing Education program and application process. In addition to applying for the MNE program, you will also need to fill out a scholarship application. See below for more information on the scholarship application process.

*Acceptance into the Masters in Nursing Education program does not guarantee a Clinical Nursing Faculty Scholar program scholarship.

How to apply for the Clinical Faculty Scholarship

You will need to fill out two applications:

  1. Apply for the Master’s in Nursing Education program. Visit the MNE website which lists the steps and instructions for applying to the MNE program.
  2. Apply for the scholarship program. The application will be posted here in Spring 2025. 

To be eligible

In-state: Priority given to Baccalaureate-prepared nurses employed at OHSU Hospital, Salem Hospital & Clinics, Grande Ronde Hospital & Clinics, Sky Lakes Medical Center and Asante Health System working in a clinical setting. We are also welcoming any candidates across the state who are Baccalaureate-prepared nurses in Oregon working in a clinical setting.

Out-of-state: Baccalaureate-prepared nurses who reside in Washington, Idaho, Alaska and work in a clinical setting.

Timeline

The next cohort begins in September 2025. Nursing school applications are available now and scholarship applications will open in the Spring 2025.

  • Scholarship application deadline: TBD, Spring 2025
  • Masters in Nursing application deadline: May 31
  • Next cohort begins: Sept. 2025

The Preceptor Scholar program

The Preceptor Scholar Program is a six-month program in which students will be enrolled in two graduate level nursing education courses that are part of OHSU’s School of Nursing Master’s in Nursing Education program.

Students take one course at a time. The first course in the Spring quarter and the second course during the Summer term. The courses focus on social determinants of health and clinical teaching.

This is not only a great way to improve your clinical teaching skills, but if you are curious about graduate school and not quite ready to commit 100%, this is a great pathway to explore your options.

How to apply for the Preceptor Scholar Program

Timeline

  • Application deadline: Dec. 15, 2024
  • Awardees notified: early Jan. 2025
  • Program Begins: March 31, 2025
  • Program Ends: Sept. 12, 2025

To be eligible

Baccalaurete-prepared nurse working in a clinical setting.

In-state: Priority given to Baccalaureate-prepared nurses employed at OHSU Hospital, Salem Hospital & Clinics, Grande Ronde Hospital & Clinics, Sky Lakes Medical Center and Asante Health System. We are also welcoming any candidates across the state who are Baccalaureate-prepared nurses in Oregon working in a clinical setting.

Out-of-state: Baccalaureate-prepared nurses who reside in Washington, Idaho, Alaska and work in a clinical setting.

Preceptor Scholar Program frequently asked questions

How many classes do I take at once?

One class at a time. One during the Spring quarter and one during the Summer quarter.

  • First class begins: March 31, 2025
  • First class ends: June 13, 2025  
  • Second class begins: June 30, 2025
  • Program ends: September 12, 2025

Are the classes asynchronous?

Yes, you will have assignments due weekly and the expectation is that you will check in weekly to move forward in the class.

What is the time commitment?

Generally students spend about 10 - 15 hours per week on the graduate level class. Assignments are due each week. You also complete the virtual OHSU Preceptor Training course. Scholars are expected to login to the online course, complete readings & assignments weekly throughout the six-month program. Scholars will be assigned an OHSU email address and expected to check it frequently for program updates.

Do I get credit for these two classes if I go on to the MNE program?

Yes, the two classes you take in the Preceptor Scholar program are required classes to graduate from the MNE program. You will receive credit for them and they would go toward your degree.

Do I receive a certification, degree or qualification after completing this program?

No, but many nursing certification boards accepts university credit as fulfilling continuing education requirements for recertification. 

As a preceptor scholar do I still need to apply for a ONEA scholarship if I apply for the MNE program?

Yes, you would still need to apply for a Clinical Faculty Scholarship, but our Preceptor scholars are given priority in admissions.

Can I apply for the MNE program as well as the Clinical Faculty Scholar scholarship while I am still in the Preceptor program?

Yes, you would apply for both the MNE program and the scholarship while you are in the midst of your Preceptor program and classes.

Application Timeline

  • October 1: Application opens
  • December 15: Application deadline
  • Early January:  Awardees notified
  • Mid-January: Commitment letters due/compliance process begins
  • January – February:  Compliance process including drug screen, background check and other School of Nursing required compliance requirements.

Funding Support

In the fall of 2022, the OHSU School of Nursing was awarded a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to recruit, retain and educate nurses in Oregon and in Health and Human Services Region 10 (Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska) to serve as clinical nurse faculty and preceptors to increase the nursing workforce and improve health equity. 

An image of the Becoming a Preceptor document from the ONEA team
Download Becoming a Preceptor Pathway.
Download Becoming a Nurse Educator pathway
Download Becoming a Nurse Educator Pathway.

For more information, send an email to onea@ohsu.edu.

View our video library of the nurse educator experience

A personal look at becoming a Nurse Educator
Transition to the Educator Role
The Role of the Nurse Educator in Simulation
Creating a Safe Space in Simulation
The Impacts of a Diverse Workforce in Nursing
A Day in the Life of a Clinical Nurse Educator
Rewards of Being A Nurse Educator