Is Relocating for Nursing School the Fastest Way to Get a BSN Degree?

The U.S. is experiencing an ongoing shortage of qualified registered nurses (RNs). It’s expected that by 2030, there will be a shortage of nearly 64,000 nurses needed to care for patients across the country. Oregon is in the top 10 states most impacted by the nursing shortage. Yet, despite the growing need for nurses, not enough students are getting into nursing schools. Nearly 66,000 qualified applicants were denied entry to nursing schools in 2023 alone. The top reason for this was a shortage of nursing faculty. If you’re considering applying to a nursing school out of state due to faculty shortages, Oregon can be a sensible choice, given the significant demand for nurses in this area.

Concordia University, St. Paul’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a smart choice for students who are looking for nursing programs in Portland, Oregon. Given that our ABSN learning center in Portland offers three start dates each year in January, May, and September, we’re able to enroll more qualified applicants and graduate more future nurses.

While you’re thinking about applying to nursing schools out of state, there are advantages to consider. In addition to examining the benefits of going out of state, you may want to get the answers to commonly asked questions, such as “Does it matter where you get your nursing degree from?” In addition, consider what you can expect when you move to Portland.

Why Consider Going Out of State for Nursing School?

One of the most compelling reasons to consider a nursing school out of state is that you can choose to move to an area with access to more nursing programs and healthcare opportunities than your current location. You’ll be able to choose the program that’s right for you. Plus, if the nursing schools nearest to your current location are turning away significant numbers of qualified applicants, it can be to your advantage to look farther away from home. Relocating for nursing school can save time and help you get into nursing school more quickly.

To sum up, there are several reasons to consider relocating for nursing school, including:

• Faster timeline: You can choose a program, such as CSP Global, that offers multiple yearly start dates, so you’ll be able to start quickly.
• More program options: You can access more high-quality nursing schools by considering a larger geographic area.
• Better-suited program: You can choose a program that has all the qualities you’re looking for, such as hybrid learning, quality clinical learning experiences, and NCLEX preparation.

To make a career change, sometimes it’s necessary to change your geographic location.

Does It Matter Where You Get Your Nursing Degree From?

Your education lays the foundation for your career. If you want to have a successful nursing career, you’ll need the right academic foundation. That’s why it matters where you earn your nursing degree. You’ll want to ensure that the nursing school you attend offers a rigorous curriculum, is accredited, and devotes a significant portion of the curriculum to applied and immersive learning experiences.

The nursing schools on your shortlist should fulfill the following requirements:

• Accredited
• State-approved
• Fully equipped nursing skills labs
• Clinical learning experiences with local clinical partners
• High NCLEX pass rate

The need for quality nursing education is why so many students choose CSP Global. Our accredited, state-approved nursing school offers labs with cutting-edge technology, along with a broad range of clinical learning experiences with our clinical partners. In addition, our Portland, Oregon students achieved an NCLEX pass rate of 93.36% in 2024.

Does It Matter in What State You Go to Nursing School?

All aspiring registered nurses need to obtain a state-issued license by passing the NCLEX-RN. You must take the NCLEX in the same state where you’ll apply for your license. Once you already have a license from one state, however, you won’t need to retake the NCLEX if you wish to transfer your license to a different state.

This begs the question: Is it also necessary to go to nursing school in the same state where you want to take the NCLEX and obtain a license? No, it’s not. You can attend nursing school anywhere you wish, and you may take the NCLEX in a different state other than where you graduated.

Keep in mind that Oregon, in general, and the Portland area in particular, can be great places for nurses to practice. If, however, you decide to attend a nursing program in Portland, Oregon, with the intention of obtaining nursing licensure in another state, such as California or Washington, you can certainly do this.

Relocating to Portland for CSP’s ABSN Program

Attending a nursing school out of state, such as CSP Global’s ABSN program in Portland, can be a great choice for many students. Our ABSN program doesn’t require prior healthcare experience, as we understand that great nurses can come from a variety of backgrounds.

Designed for students with at least 54 college credits, CSP’s ABSN program makes it possible to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 16 months. Blending online coursework, nursing skills labs, and clinical learning experiences, the ABSN program may be a perfect fit for your career goals and lifestyle.

Why Move to Portland for Nursing School?

There are plenty of reasons to consider moving to Portland, both for attending nursing school and for starting your career as an RN. Four of them include:

1. Natural beauty: There’s no denying the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and living in Portland, you don’t need to go far to experience the great outdoors. With at least 279 parks and natural areas, 315 miles of bike trails, and two major rivers within the city limits, there’s plenty to see and do without even leaving the city.
2. Food and drink: With thousands of restaurants and food trucks to choose from, Portland is a veritable foodie’s paradise. Over the past few years, Portland’s food scene has received high praise from a number of national food publications, culminating in WalletHub ranking Portland the No. 4 foodie city in the U.S.
3. Activities and culture: Portland is home to a bustling arts scene akin to Seattle or San Francisco. You’ll enjoy a range of musical shows, sports events, and theatre performances. Plus, there are farmers markets, art galleries, bookstores, and more.
4. Great weather: When people talk about the weather in Portland, they tend to focus on the rain, but that’s not quite fair. People are often surprised to find out how mild the weather is in Portland. The summer months are typically warm and dry, and winters are relatively warm. Most of the rain Portland is famous for occurs between the months of November and February, and the city sees very little snow.

Apply to Our Nursing Program in Portland, Oregon

Choosing a nursing school out of state could be worth it if it’s the right program for you. At Concordia University, St. Paul, we provide extensive personalized support to each student, including thorough NCLEX prep. Our in-person nursing skills labs take place within state-of-the-art, fully equipped labs, and we offer online coursework for greater convenience.

At CSP Global, you could graduate in as few as 16 months upon successful completion of any needed prerequisites. With our rolling admissions process and three start dates each year, you could get started sooner than you’d think. Contact an admissions advisor today to learn more about attending our ABSN learning centers in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Portland.