Frequently Asked Questions
Program Director: Marla Spadafora, MSN, RN, CRNI | 503-731-6631 | renurse@pcc.edu
The Nurse Reentry Program is designed for nurses who are interested in licensure with the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN). Students must have approval from the OSBN and complete an application process for official acceptance into the PCC Nurse Reentry Program.
If I have a current license, do I have to go through the entire program?
No. If you have a current Oregon license and want to refresh your knowledge, you may take a variety of courses that we have to offer.
Are classes offered via the internet?
Yes our classes are offered via the Internet, except for the clinical skills preparation lab, and the clinical practicums.
How long does it take to complete the program?
It takes most students between 9 and 12 months to complete the program.
How much does the program cost?
The total cost of the program, including books, is approximately $1830.Students do not pay for the entire program at the beginning of the program; they pay registration tuition as they register for each individual course.
Current tuition and fees are:
Application fee--$42
Nursing Theory via Internet--$625
Pharmacology via Internet--$329
Critical Prep Skills Lab--$179
Clinical Practicum (160 hours)--$455
Cost of texts:
Nursing Theory –about $100
Pharmacology—about $100
How do the Internet / Web based courses work?
Students need only basic computer skills to be successful with this format. Instructors are able to interact with students and provide timely feedback on assignments, questions, and exams. We have attempted to incorporate computer skills that are becoming increasingly necessary in the world of healthcare.
Students need to be able to access the Internet to review current topics that are assigned reading. Students correspond with the instructors through e-mail. Written material, homework, tests, etc, are exchanged through e-mail. Attachments must be in “MS Word” format. Other formats, such as “MS Works,” do not work with our computer programs and are not acceptable. It is highly recommended that students have the ability to print material, both for ease of reading, and reference during open book exams.
Once registered for a class, students need to e-mail their instructor with their personal e-mail address in order to begin the class. Students may choose to use their PCC assigned e-mail address. The instructor will then guide students to the course website. Once students have accessed the course website, they can print it off and use it for future reference. The class website is the guide to all lecture notes, reading assignments, study questions, and information regarding exams. Instructors are available during scheduled hours to reply to students’ e-mails, answer questions, and provide feedback on assignments and exams.
Can I take Pharmacology via Internet and Nursing Theory via Internet at the same time?
No, those courses are offered one at a time in alternating terms, so that prospective students can join the program at the beginning of any term.
Do I have to take the Oregon State Board of Nursing Exam (NCLEX) after I finish the program?
No. If you meet all of the Board requirements and have received an OSBN approval letter to enroll in a Reentry Program, upon notification of successful completion of the PCC Nurse Reentry Program, and submission of required documentation, the Board will issue you a license.
How much time should I set aside for study?
Due to the volume of study material and the fact that you have only one term to complete each class, it is strongly suggested that you take only one course at a time. It is advisable to set aside time for concentrated study each day.
Please remember that after you have started a course by e-mailing the instructor for guidance to the course website, CLIMB for Health Professionals does not reimburse tuition. Students must give themselves adequate time to appropriately study for and meet the objectives and requirements for each class. Please be realistic about how much time you have to devote to the required classes so that your reentry experience will be positive and successful.
It has been a while since I worked, and I’m afraid my clinical skills are a little rusty. How can I bring my patient care skills up to best practice?
Our Clinical Preparation Skills Lab class allows students the opportunity to practice direct patient care skills with experienced Nursing Faculty instructors. Patient case scenarios are presented, and students are encouraged to use the nursing process and critical thinking skills to problem solve, and demonstrate safe, competent, professional nursing care in a “safe” practice setting. Feedback from prior students has been positive. They have told us how much this opportunity has helped them feel more comfortable and confident as they started their clinical experience.
Where can I complete my clinical requirement?
CLIMB for Health Professionals at PCC works in partnership with numerous health care organizations in Oregon to provide reentry clinical opportunities.
How is my Clinical Placement arranged?
The PCC Nurse Reentry Program strives to place students in a clinical facility appropriate for each individual student. During your pre-clinical assessment meeting with the Clinical Placement Coordinator the following items will be taken into consideration: your past nursing work experience, your time since actively providing direct nursing care, and your individual situation. A required clinical planning meeting with the Clinical Placement Coordinator allows the student and coordinator to explore potential, appropriate clinical opportunities.
The coordinator then interacts with identified clinical facilities regarding availability and to make arrangements for the student to complete his/her clinical requirement in that facility. Clinical facilities may or may not accept the Reentry student for placement in their facility. Qualified preceptors may or may not be available in a clinical facility. Placement of a student in a specific clinical setting is ultimately determined by the PCC Nurse Reentry Program.
How will I know what I should be doing in clinical?
The PCC Reentry Clinical Placement Coordinator oversees the clinical experience for each student during the clinical practicum. Students and preceptors are provided with a clinical schedule to follow during the clinical practicum. It provides a day-to-day schedule of activities and assignments the student should be completing. The clinical schedule also gives the preceptor some suggestions of appropriate opportunities to provide to reentry student and sets a general pace for the reentry clinical experience. The clinical placement coordinator checks in regularly during the practicum to see how things are progressing, and is available to students and preceptors for questions and concerns during the clinical rotation.
When do I get my nursing license?
Please allow at least three weeks for processing. It is necessary to get all of the evaluation forms from your clinical preceptors, prepare the recommendation for relicensure to the (OSBN) Oregon State Board of Nursing and then finally allow time for the approval from OSBN.