Careers

With an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree, students are prepared for professional registered nursing (RN) licensure in the state of Oregon. Graduates have the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to provide safe, patient-centered care in a variety of clinical settings. Registered nurses play a critical role in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, surgical centers, home health, hospice and community health organizations.

After completing their associate degree, students can advance their career by pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. As part of a one-of-a-kind statewide consortium, COCC offers a Bachelor of Science Nursing degree (link to BSN URL) for students who have completed their associate degree in nursing. BSN graduates are well qualified for management/administrator positions as well as careers in public health, case management and health education. For those interested in becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife or nurse anesthetist, among other specialized focuses, a master’s degree is required.

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