University of Portland School of Nursing

What University of Portland School of Nursing does

The University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations (SONHI), established in 1935 as a unit of the private Catholic University of Portland, delivers nursing and health sciences education from undergraduate through doctoral levels. Core programs include the CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, with direct first-year or 5-semester transfer entry), the Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Wellness, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP), a 72-credit hybrid program with 1,020 clinical hours. Supporting offerings include a CCNE-accredited EdD in Nursing Education and Leadership, a Healthcare Management Certificate, an NBHWC-approved Integrative Health Coaching program, and a Public Health and Wellness minor. The school operates the Elsie Franz-Finley Simulated Health Center, Oregon's first SSH-accredited simulation facility, with 17 acute-care beds, 6 ambulatory exam rooms, a telehealth suite, high-fidelity manikins, and standardized patients wearing clinical-sensing wearables.

The school's clinical education is anchored in the proprietary Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) model, pioneered at UP in 2003, which transforms patient care units into structured teaching environments through faculty–clinical staff partnerships. The Center for Clinical Excellence maintains 12 DEU partnerships with Providence, VA Portland, Kaiser Westside, Legacy Salmon Creek, and post-acute/community partners. Student outcomes include a 98.25% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024 and 100% DNP board certification pass rate. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition for BSN, BS-PHW, DNP-FNP, EdD, and certificate programs; ancillary revenue comes from $2,495-per-course Integrative Health Coaching fees and the Providence Scholars Program, which covers over 80% of junior/senior BSN tuition in exchange for a 3-year employment commitment. Marketing and admissions are routed through the University of Portland's centralized channels, supplemented by program-specific outreach via virtual info sessions, campus visits, social media, and a free High School Summer Nurse Camp pipeline program.

Name

University of Portland School of Nursing

Legal name

University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations

Website

https://nursing.up.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations is a non-profit academic unit offering CCNE-accredited BSN, BS in Public Health and Wellness, and DNP-FNP programs, supported by an SSH-accredited simulated health center and 12 regional Dedicated Education Unit clinical partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nursing Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAGAC

Schools of Nursing

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Medical & Health Sciences Universities

SECONDARYEDAHALAF

Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Distance & Online Universities

SECONDARYEDAHAGAH

Allied Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Schools (PT/OT/SLP, etc.)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Medical & Health Sciences Universities

Keywords

• Nursing education
• BSN programs
• DNP programs
• Clinical simulation
• Healthcare workforce training

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: BSN program tuition for undergraduate students. Students pay per-semester tuition for the 5-semester nursing program (transfer students) or 8 semesters (first-year students).
2. Graduate Tuition (DNP Program): Doctor of Nursing Practice program is 72 credits. Hybrid format combining online coursework with weekend immersions. Students are eligible for scholarships.
3. Integrative Health Coaching Course Fees: Post-baccalaureate students pay course fees of $2,495 per course for the Integrative Health Coaching program (PHW 707 and IHW 907). These are separate from university tuition and not eligible for federal financial aid.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations (SONHI) delivers CCNE-accredited nursing education programs including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Wellness, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner track. Instruction combines a concept-based curriculum, the SSH-accredited Elsie Franz-Finley Simulated Health Center, and the pioneering Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) clinical model developed at UP in partnership with regional health systems.

Product overview

The University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations (SONHI) offers a portfolio of academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The core offerings include a CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with a 98.25% NCLEX pass rate, a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Wellness (BS-PHW), and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner program with 100% board certification pass rate. Supporting programs include the NBHWC-approved Integrative Health Coaching certification, Healthcare Management Certificate, Dedicated Education Units clinical model, and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare accredited Elsie Franz-Finley Simulated Health Center. Community engagement features include the High School Summer Nurse Camp and Rosemary Anderson High School partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Omicron Upsilon: The chapter of Sigma Honor Society at the University of Portland School of Nursing & Health Innovations, accepting seniors and graduate students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement in nursing.
• Elsie Franz-Finley Simulated Health Center
• Center for Clinical Excellence

Products and services

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) CCNE-accredited undergraduate nursing program preparing students for RN licensure via a concept-based curriculum focused on population health, leadership, holistic care, evidence-based practice, and social justice. SONHI graduates achieved a 98.25% NCLEX pass rate in 2024.
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Wellness (BS-PHW) Undergraduate degree program preparing students for careers in population health, health coaching, or integrative medicine, with roles including health educators, certified health coaches, epidemiologists, community health advocates, and health policy professionals.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) CCNE-accredited 72-credit hybrid DNP program preparing advanced practice nurses as family nurse practitioners, combining online coursework with weekend immersions featuring simulation and experiential learning. Includes 1,020 total clinical hours (900 direct care + 120 project practicum) with a 100% board certification pass rate.
• Doctor of Education (EdD) - Nursing Education and Leadership Concentration 51-credit doctoral program cultivating professionals at the intersection of practice, policy, and pedagogy, preparing graduates to integrate, translate, and apply nursing knowledge while fostering capacities in others.
• Integrative Health Coaching Program NBHWC-approved Health and Wellness Coach Training & Education Program that prepares graduates to sit for the HWC Certifying Examination to become National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). Available to BS-PHW students or post-baccalaureate students online at $2,495 per course.
• Healthcare Management Certificate 12-credit certificate program providing practical instruction on business analytics, systems and resource management, informatics, and career development for healthcare management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98.25% NCLEX pass rate in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rosemary Anderson High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Community partnership established in 2016. Undergraduate nursing students complete population health clinical course at RAHS, providing health instruction and health promotion activities. RAHS serves at-risk youth up through age 25 with four high school locations.
• Rosemary Anderson Middle SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Extended community partnership to middle school educational environment. Eight nursing students placed with RAMS in remote educational settings.
• Providence Portland Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Original DEU clinical partner since 2003. Providence Portland Medical Center transformed patient care units into optimal teaching/learning environments for nursing students as part of the pioneering Portland DEU model.
• Providence St. Vincent Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Original DEU clinical partner since 2003. One of the founding partners in the Portland DEU model that transformed clinical nursing education.
• VA Portland Health Care SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Original DEU clinical partner since 2003. Federal Veterans Affairs medical center providing diverse clinical learning opportunities for nursing students.
• Providence Willamette Falls Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent DEU clinical partner providing community health, acute care, and other clinical learning settings for nursing students.
• Kaiser Westside Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent DEU clinical partner providing ambulatory care and other clinical learning settings for nursing students.
• Legacy Salmon Creek Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent DEU clinical partner providing acute care and other clinical learning settings for nursing students.
• Marquis Care CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-acute care setting partner for DEU clinical experiences in post-acute care and rehabilitation settings.
• West Hills Health & RehabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-acute care setting partner for DEU clinical experiences in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities.
• Multnomah Education Service DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-based nursing partner providing school health clinical experiences for nursing students in educational settings.
• University of Notre Dame AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudy abroad partner in Fremantle, Australia. UP nursing students can apply for fall or spring semester, taking core requirement courses and nursing courses. Opportunity to learn about differences in healthcare systems between US and Australia.
• Salzburg, Austria Study Abroad ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSemester study abroad option in Salzburg. Limited slots with preference given to nursing students in fall. Students take classes fulfilling UP course requirements in fine arts, history, theology, philosophy, literature, or political science.
• Granada, Spain Study Abroad ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural immersion study abroad with homestay. Students take classes exclusively in Spanish, fulfilling nursing and Spanish requirements for those interested in Spanish minor or double major.
• Rome, Italy Study Abroad Program (John Cabot University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudy abroad at John Cabot University in Rome. No language requirement but Italian language class encouraged. Nursing students may participate in fall semester.
• Malawi Study Abroad ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaculty-led summer program in Karonga, Malawi. Interdisciplinary students from nursing and engineering experience ethical global health work in low-resource areas, focusing on education for girls in Northern Malawi.
• Providence Health and ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvidence Scholars Program partnership: PH&S provides tuition assistance (just over 80% coverage) for junior/senior BSN students in exchange for 3-year full-time employment commitment. Clinical placements available at Providence facilities throughout Oregon.
• The DAISY FoundationminorOthersOmicron Upsilon chapter facilitates annual DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty since 2022. Award honors faculty who inspire students and bring art and science of nursing to patient experiences.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Vanderbilt University School of Nursing: Top-tier private university nursing school offering MSN, DNP, and PhD with multiple nurse practitioner specialty tracks. Comparable advanced-practice DNP portfolio and nationally benchmarked board certification outcomes.
• Johns Hopkins School of Nursing: Top-ranked U.S. nursing school with BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. Not a direct applicant-pool competitor but a benchmark for DNP program structure, accreditation standards, and national brand reputation in graduate nursing education.
• Duke University School of Nursing: Elite private university nursing school with ABSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs and a nationally recognized DNP-FNP track. Comparable DNP curriculum structure; benchmark for hybrid DNP design and FNP board certification outcomes.

Direct peers

• Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing: Oregon's other major nursing school, also based in Portland and offering BSN, DNP, and PhD programs. Most direct regional competitor for Oregon applicants, clinical placements, and faculty talent.
• MGH Institute of Health Professions: Boston-based graduate health sciences institution affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, offering accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, and certificate pathways. Closely comparable health-focused graduate-heavy portfolio with hospital system partnership model.
• Simmons University School of Nursing: Private university in Boston with a direct-entry BSN, accelerated BSN, MSN, and DNP, including the nation's first online DNP program. Comparable private university BSN/DNP portfolio targeting similar student segments.
• Samuel Merritt University: Private health-sciences university in Oakland, California, offering BSN, MSN, DNP, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with FNP. Comparable private health-focused institution with multiple entry-level and graduate nursing pathways.
• Regis College School of Nursing: Private Catholic university in Massachusetts with BSN, ABSN, MSN, DNP, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with FNP. Direct comparable in mission (Catholic), institution type (private), and program mix, including a hybrid DNP.
• Linfield University School of Nursing: Private Oregon university with BSN, DNP, and an accelerated nursing program. Competes for the same Oregon applicant pool and clinical placements in the Portland metro.

Regional players

• University of Washington School of Nursing: Premier Pacific Northwest nursing school offering BSN, DNP, and PhD programs with research-intensive profile. Comparable BSN/DNP curriculum structure and competes for top-tier Pacific Northwest applicants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UPNursing
• Instagraminstagram.com/up_sonhi

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Portland School of Nursing