Oregon Nursing Doctorate Degree Programs

Oregon Health and Science University: DNP & PhD in Nursing Program Review
Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239.
Oregon Health and Science University has campuses in Portland and Hillsboro. The public university also includes two hospitals on the campus. Established in 1974, Oregon Health and Science University is the only university in Oregon dedicated to health sciences.

Oregon Health and Science University offers a doctoral nursing research program, the PhD in Nursing. Approximately 40 students are enrolled in the nursing PhD program each year. Past dissertations in the doctoral nursing program have explored healthcare in specific hospital departments as well as patient issues and treatment. Students in the nursing PhD program at OHSU tend to focus on social and behavioral aspects of health in addition to methods and measurement in the healthcare setting. Most students complete the PhD in Nursing at Oregon Health and Science University in just over 5 years.

Nearly $200,000 in funding and aid have gone towards tuition funding at the OHSO School of Nursing. About 25 students enroll in the DNP program annually, and choose from a variety of healthcare specialties including Health Systems Leadership, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Midwifery. Both bachelors and masters prepared nurses are admitted to the DNP program. Admission requirements to the Post-BSN DNP include submitting exam scores for the GRE, proof of a completed statistics prerequisite with a grade of “B” or higher and a 3.0 GPA.

University of Portland: DNP Program Review

University of Portland

5000 North Willamette Boulevard

Portland, OR 97203

The University of Portland based in Portland, Oregon is the sister school of the popular University of Notre Dame. Both universities are private higher education institutions founded by the Congregation of the Holy Cross. The University of Portland was founded in 1901 and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic tradition.

A Family Nurse Practitioner specialization is offered in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Portland. The university has replaced the MSN NP programs with the DNP. Both BSN and MSN students are admitted to the DNP, though masters prepared nurses should already hold an APRN (Advanced Practice Nursing Certification), which they will maintain throughout the course of the DNP program. A key focus of the doctoral nursing program at the University of Portland is caring for the poor.

Designed to allow nurses to maintain a professional schedule, the DNP at the University of Portland utilizes a hybrid format using both campus-based and online coursework. Students in the doctoral nursing practice program meet once each month on a weekend, and are notified at least one semester ahead of class meetings.

To apply to the DNP, students must submit competitive GRE or MAT scores, ideally have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, submit a well-written personal statement and enthusiastic letters of recommendation preferably from practicing nurses.