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 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.

Timeline

The next cohort of the Preceptor program begins with the Spring 2026 quarter. See below for application timeline and details of how to apply:

Early October: Application opens
December 15: Application deadline
Early January: Awardees notified
March 30, 2026: Program begins
Sept. 11, 2026: Program ends

To be eligible

Baccalaureate-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.

Apply now

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.

1st class begins - March 30, 2026
1st class ends – June 12, 2026
2nd class begins – June 29, 2026
Program ends – Sept. 29, 2026

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 and 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.

Can I apply for the MNE program while I am still in the Preceptor program?

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

Application Timeline

Early October: Application open
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.

The Clinical Nursing Faculty Scholar program

The Clinical Nursing Faculty Scholar program provides scholarship support 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

Application currently closed.

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.

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