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Our Programs

Our Vision Drives Us. Education with Integrity.

Sumner College is committed to providing excellent care to patients in the community through the development of exceptional health care professionals. Graduates of Sumner College are prepared to engage in best practices through critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong community partnerships.  We invite you to explore our college, our campus,  and our programs.

Associate Degree in Nursing
Practical Nursing Program
Medical Assisting Program
RN to BSN Program


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About Us

Sumner College has been providing a strong educational foundation for those committed to truly making a difference for over 46 years. Located in Portland, Oregon, we are a private college uncompromisingly dedicated to providing, high quality, career focused education to support those who are committed to achieving their professional career goals.

As we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, Sumner College has continued to deliver high quality education to our student population, keeping them on track to graduate and start their new healthcare career.  We transitioned from our traditional on-campus format to a hybrid delivery model, and continue to start new classes every 10 weeks. We are committed to educating students in a safe and responsible environment during these unprecedented times.

Many of our students are referred to us by fellow coworkers, family members, clinical partner sites, and by our own graduates. We have a strong reputation in the Portland area as a school who graduates professionals who are competent and adequately prepared for employment in their chosen field of study.

Our history tells our story, and our numbers speak volumes about us. If healthcare is your passion, and a career in the field is your Dream, it is time to look at Sumner College.

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100%

ADN Program Retention

100%

AAMA Medical Assisting Pass Rate

$69,300

Average ADN Graduate Starting Salary

93%

PN Program Retention

100%

MA Program Retention

2018-2019 Accreditation Reporting Statistics

School Calendar

November 2New Term Begins: MA, PN, and RN to BSN
November 16ADN Info Session (Full)
February 8New Term Begins: ADN, PN, MA, RN to BSN
April 26New Term Begins: ADN, PN, MA, RN to BSN
July 12New Term Begins: ADN, PN, MA, RN to BSN
September 27New Term Begins: PN, MA, RN to BSN
November 2New Term Begins: ADN, MA, RN to BSN
December 13New Term Begins: PN, MA, RN to BSN

Academic Calendar

Allison E.

RN | Registered Nurse

“I really want to help people and be able to make a difference in their lives.”

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Medical Assistant Program

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing program

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Latest News

Check out the latest activities at Sumner College

  • Graduate Spotlight - Meet LPN Hamdia
    Graduate Spotlight - Meet LPN Hamdia Before attending Sumner College, I was working as a Research Analyst at PSU. I also worked as a CNA after graduating with a degree in Public Health.  I have always had a passion for the medical field, especially in women’s ...
    Posted:
  • The Career Outlook for Medical Assisting
    The Career Outlook for Medical Assisting If you’re thinking of training to be a medical assistant, this could be a great career path to follow. To help you make an informed decision about pursuing a career in medical assisting we have attempted to answer the following ...
    Posted:
  • Medical Assisting Career Description
    Medical Assisting Career Description A Medical Assistant is responsible for completing administrative and clinical tasks for healthcare facilities and providers. Additionally, these professionals take and record confidential patient information using Electronic Health Records, only discussing this information with other professionals who are helping to treat ...
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  • Graduate Spotlight - Meet LPN Daphny
    Graduate Spotlight - Meet LPN Daphny I started my career in the legal field as paralegal for thirteen years.  I always envisioned myself in a field where I could serve others.  After working extensively as a paralegal, I really began feeling unsuccessful. I knew I wanted ...
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  • The Hottest Job During a Pandemic? Travel Nurse
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  • Technology Brings Increased Speed and Accuracy to the Medical Profession
    Technology Brings Increased Speed and Accuracy to the Medical Profession For those in the medical profession being knowledgeable of the latest medicines, techniques, and research is essential, but in today’s world another crucial tool to have in the medical bag is the latest technology.
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  • Graduate Spotlight - Meet LPN Hunter
    Graduate Spotlight - Meet LPN Hunter After working as a Certified Nursing Assistant for three years, I realized it was time to improve my skills and quality of life.  I am glad I was accepted into Sumner College’s Practical Nursing program because the curriculum gave me ...
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  • Medical Assisting Occupational Outlook Handbook
    Medical Assisting Occupational Outlook Handbook Medical Assisting Occupational outlook Summary
    Quick Facts: Medical Assistants
    2019 Median Pay
    $34,800 per year
    $16.73 per hour
    Typical Entry-Level Education
    Postsecondary non degree award
    Work Experience in a Related Occupation
    None
    On-the-job Training
    None
    Number of Jobs, 2019
    725,200
    ...
    Posted:
  • Graduate Spotlight - Meet LPN Ashley
    Graduate Spotlight - Meet LPN Ashley Before coming to Sumner College, I was working as a CNA.  I always wanted to be in the healthcare industry because I knew I would enjoy this field, and it was a good way to help raise my siblings.  I ...
    Posted:
  • Medical Assistants Recognition Week is Coming Soon
    Medical Assistants Recognition Week is Coming Soon Medical Assistants Recognition Week is coming soon | Sumner College will be celebrating our students and graduates from the MA program
    Medical assistants are at the heart of health care.*
    Every year Medical Assistants Recognition Week (MARWeek) is celebrated during ...
    Posted:
  • Common Ground: Advancing Full Practice Authority During COVID-19
    Common Ground: Advancing Full Practice Authority During COVID-19 The pandemic has magnified a host of health care issues, from workforce shortages and health care access to the cost of care and widening health disparities. Looking to address the public health crisis, officials have made many policy changes to ...
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  • Oregon Action Coalition | Advancing Health in Oregon
    Oregon Action Coalition | Advancing Health in Oregon The Oregon Action Coalition is dedicated to implementing the Institute of Medicine Future of Nursing’s bold vision for America’s health care system in Oregon by developing strategies to engage and communicate with nursing and non-nursing partners throughout the state. Get ...
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  • AAMA COVID-19 Updates
    AAMA COVID-19 Updates The AAMA Executive Office reopened Monday, July 6, 2020 (after closure due to COVID-10). The AAMA webpage offers updates on how the AAMA is keeping apace with the effects of COVID-19, including CMA (AAMA)® certification and recertification, testing centers, continuing education, ...
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  • Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Extending the vision
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    ANA Enterprise CEO ...
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  • AAMA Family Share Messages of Hope
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  • How the Coronavirus Pandemic Affects the Role of a Medical Assistant
    How the Coronavirus Pandemic Affects the Role of a Medical Assistant If you work as a medical assistant, you have a great job in healthcare. Medical assistants are responsible for important tasks in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers and other medical facilities. They work hands-on with patients, taking vital signs, communicating ...
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  • Shape the Future of Nursing
    Shape the Future of Nursing Not everyone in the U.S. has the same opportunity to experience health and well-being. But nurses are poised to change that.
    Such thinking is driving new research for a forthcoming future of nursing report announced in March 2019. Since that time, ...
    Posted:
  • Driving Factors Behind the 80% BSN by 2020 Initiative
    Driving Factors Behind the 80% BSN by 2020 Initiative Content shared from RN.com
    By Abby Schneider, MSN, RN, Clinical Content Manager
    The Center for the Advancement of Healthcare Professionals
    In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (Institute of Medicine, 2010a). This report ...
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  • Medical Assistant Salary & Employment
    Medical Assistant Salary & Employment Medical assisting is one of the national careers growing much faster than average for all occupations, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, attributing job growth to the following:
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    Growing number of elderly Americans (i.e. ...
    Posted:
  • What Are the Roles & Duties of a Medical Assistant?
    What Are the Roles & Duties of a Medical Assistant? Medical Assisting is a vital position in the healthcare industry. They assist the provider with a number of task and to name a few, here are the specific clinical duties that they may perform:
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    Posted:
  • Top 9 Advantages of a BSN Degree
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  • BSN Guide - Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree: Salary, Benefits & Programs
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  • Why Should You Earn a BSN? It May Soon Be a Requirement
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  • Where Do Medical Assistants Work?
    Where Do Medical Assistants Work? Medical Assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings including but not limited to the following:
    Hospitals
    Outpatient care centers
    Colleges and universities
    Medical research centers
    Diagnostic laboratories
    Insurance carriers
    Nursing care facilities
    You can complete the Sumner College Medical ...
    Posted:
  • Medical Assistant Transition to a Nursing Career
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    Performing ...
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  • Pioneer Pacific College Possible Transfer Options 
    Pioneer Pacific College Possible Transfer Options  Sumner College has initiated steps necessary to formalize a transfer agreement with the state of Oregon that will allow students in good standing the opportunity to transfer classes to our school. This type of transfer is called a ‘block transfer’, ...
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  • There Are Not Nearly Enough Nurses To Handle The Surge Of Coronavirus Patients: Here’s How...
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  • RN to BSN Guide | Take the Next Big Step in Your Career
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  • New Instructor Spotlight- Meet Star Pfeil
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    Posted:
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