Philly nurse seeking to relocate in oregon

U.S.A. Oregon

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Hi to all my fellow nurses that can hopefully answer my questions!

I am looking to move across the us and need help figuring out what my best options are.

My name is Amber and I currently work as an RN in a Philadelphia magnet hospital in the progressive care unit. Me and my boyfriend are relocating to Oregon due to an interest we have in the state. We have not decided exactly where exactly in Oregon we are going to move to. I am hoping starting this thread will help me decide. I currently working the progressive care unit and have been since May 2014. In March 2015, I am moving to the Medical ICU at my facility. I plan to work in the ICU until our move which will be in July of 2016. Thus, giving me a total of 2 years ICU experience by time I move.

When I make the transition to Oregon, I would like to stay in critical care. I always had an interest to become a NICU nurse. But, I would be interested in any ICU. I am looking to move somewhere in Oregon that has great hospitals and is close to a lot of nature sites with in a populated city/town that has a nightlife. (I will be 25 years old at the time of the move)

So.. my questions are: Which area in Oregon has the best medical facilities with in a city/town that suites my interest? How competitive is nursing in oregon? How early in advance should I start applying? How much do nurses make in Oregon?

I hope someone could help answer my questions! If anyone has questions about nursing in philly. I could answer as best as I can.

Thanks!

-Amber

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Also, I do have a BSN, if that helps.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Portland has the 2 level 1 trauma hospitals in the state, if you are looking for critical care.

Look at OHSU and Legacy Emmanuel.

Legacy is a 6 hospital system and on the Emmanuel campus built Randall Children's hospital which has a 32 bed NICU and a 24 bed PICU.

OHSU also has Dornbeckers children's hospital.

Portland also has several Providence system hospitals.

Salem has a large teaching hospital as well. The rest of the hospitals are smaller community hospitals.

Portland is about an hour from Mt Hood and about 2 hrs from the coast.

The area is fairly competitive for new grads but needs experienced ICU nurses, have seen job ads with relocation paid as they are critical to fill positions by nurses with experience

Starting pay for a new grad is around $33, so close to $40 with a few years experience. With my differential I make $45.

Providence and OHSU are Union while Legacy is not.

Hope that helps

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Specializes in ICU.

I agree with all of the above. I've only been here a couple months (relocated from the SW). If you want critical care- then the larger Portland hospitals are, in my opinion, the best places to look. OHSU, Legacy Emmanuel, Providence Portland, Kaiser Sunnyside, and the VA are all on the larger side. Randall and Doernbecher and Shriners are where you could look for PICU/NICU.

We chose to live a little ways outside of Portland (about 20-30 minutes) where it has a more small-town feel to it. The commute isn't fun to get to work/school- but we like the area! Good luck with your decision!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Shiners doesn't have a NICU, they may have a PICU, but they really only do ortho.

For NICU/PICU look at Prov St Vs

Randall and Dornbecher

As Legacy Emmanuel has the states only burn unit.

Portland has a lot of great suburbs to live in outside of the city making your commute to either of the big hospitals around 20-40 min

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Specializes in ICU.

Oh! Oops! I thought Shriners had it all...sorry!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Shriners is a great facility, they do orthopedic repairs with no cost to the family, usually kids with chronic conditions or birth defects, the are located across the street on the hill by OHSU

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