Partnership in Action: Building Oregon’s RN to BSN Statewide Community College Consortium

As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise, Oregon’s community colleges are responding with bold innovation. One standout example is the RN to BSN Statewide Consortium—a collaborative effort among six institutions: Central Oregon Coast, Chemeketa, Klamath, Linn-Benton, Oregon Coast, and Treasure Valley Community Colleges. Together, they’re creating a flexible, accessible, and high-quality BSN pathway designed to meet the state’s workforce and Career and Technical Education (CTE) goals.

“This approval is a revolutionary development for nursing students in our region,” said Dr. Jessica Howard, Chemeketa President and CEO. “We are proud to work alongside our fellow community colleges to make a four-year nursing degree more attainable and to help meet the workforce demands of our local healthcare providers.

The program supports registered nursing (RN) students’ ability to complete a four-year degree without transferring to a university, providing a local, affordable option to help meet the increasing demand for bachelor’s-prepared nurses. Following the passage of Senate Bill 523 in 2023, the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) officially approved the development of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in partnership with a Statewide Consortium. This approval represents a significant advancement in expanding access to high-quality nursing education across Oregon.

The authorizing of community colleges to offer BSN degrees marked a turning point for nursing education in Oregon. Turning legislation into impact required more than policy—it took a strategic partnership and shared purpose. This vision began long before Senate Bill 523 came into law. Inspired by early discussions at national Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA) conferences, the consortium remained committed to providing a local option continue their education. 

The Statewide Consortium, led by Chemeketa Community College, is now at the forefront of expanding nursing education and helping close the gap in Oregon’s healthcare workforce. This takes the cooperation of the college from the Statewide Consortium to build this ambitious program. A BSN is a complex, resource-intensive degree requiring extensive faculty expertise, curricular alignment, accreditation, and student support. Faculty across institutions have co-developed a 10-course, 60-credit BSN curriculum. Courses are taught online by credentialed instructors from each college, while students receive advising and support from their home institutions, and eventually a degree that is from their local institution.

The Statewide Consortium has a Regional Advisory Board, including local employers and clinical partners, who provide the program with workforce-focused feedback.

This Statewide initiative is not just about increasing degree offerings—it’s about reimagining what’s possible when community colleges unite with a shared mission. By investing in collaborative infrastructure, embracing innovation, and staying grounded in the needs of students and the workforce, the RN to BSN Statewide Consortium is setting a precedent for nursing education across Oregon and beyond.