Nursing Programs in Portland, ME

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Portland

#1

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, OR - Public 4-Year - ohsu.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) offers a comprehensive education for aspiring nurses. With campuses across Oregon, students can enjoy local convenience and full access to campus life. The program emphasizes high-quality nursing education, advanced learning tools, and diverse clinical experiences. Graduates are prepared for a rewarding career with better job opportunities and higher salaries. The program requires 180 credits, including nursing and non-nursing courses, with prerequisites completed before enrollment. OHSU provides scholarships to make education affordable. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills in nursing.

• 3-year program duration.
• Campuses across Oregon.
• High-quality nursing education.
• Diverse clinical experiences.
• Advanced simulation labs.
• 180 credits required.
• Prerequisites needed before enrollment.
• Scholarships available.
• Prepares for higher salaries.
• Focus on critical thinking.

#2

Portland Community College

Portland, OR - Public 2-Year - pcc.edu

Associate - Nursing AAS

Campus Based - Visit Website

Portland Community College in Oregon offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (AAS) designed for aspiring nurses. This program prepares students for the nursing profession with a comprehensive curriculum covering anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. Admission requires completion of pre-program courses with a grade of C or better. The program spans two years, focusing on both chronic and acute care nursing. Financial aid is available, making this an accessible option for students. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, graduates are ready to meet the demands of the healthcare industry.

• 2-year program length
• Campus-based learning
• Financial aid eligible
• Limited entry program
• 108 total credits
• Pre-program courses required
• Grade C or better needed
• Focus on chronic care
• Focus on acute care
• Anatomy and physiology courses

#3

Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, ME - Public 2-Year - smccme.edu

Associate - Nursing Associate Degree

Campus Based - Visit Website

Southern Maine Community College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. This program blends nursing and general education courses, providing a solid foundation for diverse clinical experiences. Prerequisites include a high school diploma, specific course grades, and ATI TEAS test scores. The program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing, with a high NCLEX pass rate. Graduates have gone on to various nursing roles, showcasing the program's effectiveness in launching nursing careers.

• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
• Blends nursing and general education.
• Diverse clinical experiences.
• High NCLEX pass rate.
• Accredited by ACEN.
• Approved by Maine State Board.
• Prerequisites include ATI TEAS.
• Graduates work in various nursing roles.
• Includes clinical and didactic experiences.
• Requires C grade or better to pass.

#4

Sumner College

Portland, OR - Private 4-year - sumnercollege.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Sumner College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Portland, OR, offers a unique path to becoming a Registered Nurse with no prerequisites required. This hybrid program blends online and on-campus learning, including clinical experiences, over 32 months. Accredited by CCNE and approved by OSBN, it boasts a 98% retention rate. With rolling enrollment, students can start any term. Oregon's RNs earn an average of $98,630 annually, with the field growing by 15.2% in the next decade. Transfer up to 25% of credits to reduce costs. Admissions consider TEAS scores, interviews, and essays.

• No prerequisites required
• Hybrid delivery format
• 32 months to complete
• $510 per credit tuition
• 98% retention rate
• CCNE and OSBN approved
• Rolling enrollment
• Transfer up to 25% credits
• Hands-on learning
• High RN salaries in Oregon

#5

University of Portland

Portland, OR - Private 4-year - up.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Portland's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students to lead in clinical practice with a focus on integrity and social justice. This program emphasizes population health, leadership, and holistic care, integrating evidence-based practice and health care innovations. Students gain hands-on experience through the Simulated Health Center, featuring high-fidelity manikins and standardized patients. Clinical partnerships offer diverse learning opportunities in community-based settings. The program fosters resilience and a commitment to optimal health and wellness for all populations.

• Focus on social justice.
• Concept-based curriculum.
• Simulated Health Center training.
• Diverse clinical partnerships.
• Emphasis on population health.

*Data provided by: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2024 collection.

Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Portland, ME

If you are interested in becoming an RN, the place to begin is an entry-level training program that will prepare you for the NCLEX certification exam and your first job as a registered nurse. In the Portland area, there are LPN to RN programs designed to help licensed practical nurses make the leap to RN, and Associate’s Degree in Nursing programs and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program that put an RN license within reach for high school grads with little or no nursing experience. Whatever your background, these entry-level programs can make your dreams of professional nursing a reality.

LPN to RN Programs

LPNs are experts at providing basic patient care such as feeding and dressing patients, taking vital signs and sanitizing patient rooms. For many LPNs, an RN license opens the door to additional responsibilities and higher pay. LPN to RN bridge programs provide a streamlined pathway for experienced LPNs to earn their associate’s degree and become prepared to take the NCLEX licensing exam. The LPN to RN program at Kennebec Valley Community College allows experienced LPNs to enter their ADN program in the second semester, saving students time and money on the process of becoming an RN.

ADN Programs

ADN programs provide aspiring nurses with the education and clinical experience they need to pass the NCLEX exam and secure their first jobs as RNs. Designed for high school graduates and those who are new to the nursing profession, ADN programs include coursework in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and nursing skills. The ADN program at Southern Maine Community College is generally completed in 4.5 semesters of full-time study.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Another entry point to the nursing profession is the BSN degree. Increasingly, top hospitals and healthcare employers are looking for nurses who have a bachelor’s degree or higher education. Research shows that nurses with bachelor’s degrees can improve patient outcomes and make fewer mistakes. If you are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing as your first nursing degree, the traditional BSN program at the University of Southern Maine is a 120-credit program with coursework in nursing research, clinically-applied genetics, leadership management and ethics, community nursing, child health nursing, and critically ill/older adult nursing as well as other advanced nursing skills classes.

Find out more about Maine Accelerated BSN Programs

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

Another option for aspiring nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in another subject is to consider a direct-entry MSN program, in which students earn their master’s in nursing at an accelerated pace. These programs are generally rigorous, but they provide an excellent foundation in nursing principles and advanced practice nursing skills, and prepare nurses for leadership positions in a variety of healthcare settings. The direct-entry MSN program at the University of Southern Maine allows students to graduate with their MSN in three years of full-time study.

Find out more about Maine Accelerated MSN Programs

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Portland, ME

If you are an experienced nurse with an ADN who is interested in pursuing a BSN or MSN degree, consider applying to an RN to BSN/MSN bridge program specially designed for your needs. These programs are made for working RNs, and as such, often offer courses on a flexible schedule or in a distance learning format. Schools offering these programs understand the challenges of returning to school and make every effort to provide a flexible and stress-free experience. BSN and MSN degrees provide nurses with competitive advantages when seeking new, higher paying jobs.

RN to BSN Programs

An example of an RN to BSN program in the Portland area is offered at the University of Southern Maine. The School of Nursing recognizes up to 30 nursing credits transferred from an associate’s degree program, which saves RNs the time and expense of having to repeat that coursework. The program is open to graduates of both diploma and associate’s degree programs and enrolls students on a rolling basis for study in the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Find out more about Maine RN to BSN Programs

RN to MSN Programs

If you are interested in pursuing an advanced practice nursing career, such as a nurse practitioner or nurse educator, you’ll need to earn your master’s degree. For nurses with their ADN, an RN to MSN program provides a streamlined option that builds on existing professional experience and prior nursing coursework. The RN to MSN program at the University of Southern Maine offers nurses the opportunity to pursue careers as adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners, nurse educators, family nurse practitioners, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.

Find out more about Maine RN to MSN Programs

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Portland, ME

Nurses with advanced degrees earn higher salaries and become leaders in their organizations. APRN nurses may provide primary and acute care to patients across the lifespan, become nurse administrators and leaders or educate the next generation of nurses. In many cases, advanced practice nursing degree programs are available in an online or hybrid format, and/or can be taken on a part-time basis, which offers RNs the flexibility to complete their degree while continuing to work.

MSN Programs

St. Joseph’s College of Maine offers an MSN program in an online format, so students can complete their degree from wherever, whenever it fits their schedule and in as little as two years of study. The program allows students to specialize their studies along a particular career track, including Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, and Nursing Education.

Find out more about Maine Nurse Practitioner Programs

DNP Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice programs train nurses for the highest levels of clinical care and prepare them for a number of leadership positions. The DNP program at the University of Southern Maine emphasizes evidence-based practice, effective interpersonal collaboration, and patient safety.  The program is designed to accommodate working nurses, offers classes in a hybrid online/on-campus format on a full-time and part-time basis.

Find out more about Maine DNP Programs