A RN thinking about moving to Portland.

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Hi folks:

I attended American Critical Care Nursing Conference yesterday in Chicago. A job booth from Vancouver, Oregon caught my attention. I am very interested in moving to Portland now.

I will like to know how much I will be getting paid as a RN with 3.5 year experieces. How is housing price in Portland comparing to the pay? Which hospitals are good to work at? Thank you all for your helps!

John

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And how is the market demand for RN?

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Specializes in oncology, trauma, home health.
Hi folks:

I attended American Critical Care Nursing Conference yesterday in Chicago. A job booth from Vancouver, Oregon caught my attention. I am very interested in moving to Portland now.

I will like to know how much I will be getting paid as a RN with 3.5 year experieces. How is housing price in Portland comparing to the pay? Which hospitals are good to work at? Thank you all for your helps!

John

Vancouver is in Washington, just over the river from Portland. Google hospitals for the area, that should answer your questions.

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Any more suggestions?

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you can also search jobs by going to "oregonlive.com"

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I can tell you about housing, but not about nursing jobs as I am a (hopeful) nursing student.

Housing prices are reasonable for the west coast. 3 years ago we bought our 3 bed 2 bath home on 2+ acres about 40 mins from downtown portland for $230k

My friend just bought a 3 bed 2 bath home in the city with finished basement on a small lot for $250k

It's definitely a buyer's market right now.

Renting is variable depending on location. I once rented a 4bed 1 bath house about 6 years ago for $1,100. Then I rented a 2 bed 2 bath very small house for $750 up until I purchased my home 3 years ago. Apartments range from $650-900 for an average to nice 1 bedroom.

IMO, Portland is paradise!

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Thank you all for your replies. I heard it rains 6 months a year. Is this true? And economy is bad too in Portland?

John

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic Transplant Telemetry.

John123- Yes you do have to be prepared for the weather, as it does tend to drizzle for at least 6 months out of the year- it often feels like 9! But I have to say that for days like the last two, with gorgeous 80 degree weather and not a cloud in the sky with a brilliant green landscape I gladly pay the price

Nursing jobs are out there, but there is no real shortage because there are several nursing schools in the area. You may have to wait a while to find a job in your dream specialty.

I moved back here from California two years ago and am happy that I did. Good luck in your search

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It seems that Oregon nurses are not very open to giving useful information, sad.

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Specializes in oncology, trauma, home health.
It seems that Oregon nurses are not very open to giving useful information, sad.

It is sad, but probably due to the influx of people who have discovered Oregon and are thus making our lives here filled with Californian traffic, complaints of rain, urban growth beyong belief and a sorrow at what we have lost..

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care, Gero, dementia.

As someone pointed out, Vancouver is in Washington, not Portland (but just across the Columbia river). If you get a job in Vancouver, live there! While Oregon has no sales tax, WA has no income tax. Also, housing costs are lower. Vancouver is not as hip and happening a town as PDX, but it's a nice place to live.

As someone said, working (at least in a tertiary setting) in Portland proper can be pretty competitive b/c of all the SON (4 BSN programs, 4 AD programs), but the jobs are out there -- esp in ED and ICU. The VA always seems to be hiring. Not the best pay but good benefits and I personally loved working with the population. Also, if you're willing to work in a community setting (LTC/NH/AL) there are always jobs. Not as well paying usually though.

hope that helps

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Specializes in LTC.
Hi folks:

I attended American Critical Care Nursing Conference yesterday in Chicago. A job booth from Vancouver, Oregon caught my attention. I am very interested in moving to Portland now.

I will like to know how much I will be getting paid as a RN with 3.5 year experieces. How is housing price in Portland comparing to the pay? Which hospitals are good to work at? Thank you all for your helps!

John

I'm an LPN so have not personally worked at the hospitals here, but I have been very impressed with the Legacy system. A few months ago, they were advertising ICU jobs on their website and start their floaters around $40/hr. Not sure if they wanted a full 5 years, though. Every person I've met who works for Legacy absolutely loves it. Just google Legacy Health. Plus, if you ever consider changing from CC to ED, their Emmanuel hospital has a state of the art trauma center they are very proud of.

If you are interested in working in Vancouver, Legacy's Salmon Creek hospital is absolutely gorgeous (looks more like a freakin hotel than a hospital LOL) and the nurses are awesome (but this was based on the labor/delivery part where my nephew was born), but it's small and don't know if they even have an ICU.

I moved to PDX from CO a few years ago and love this city. People will tell you it's the small city with a big city feel and it really is. Plenty of outdoorsy stuff to do (you just have to do it wet sometimes) and some good arts/culture as well. Very laid back and unpretentious. Sometimes the weather does get you down but you really do get used to it. Cost of living is actually probably comparable to Chicago; you can rent a very decent apartment for under $1000. The housing market was super hot a couple years ago but has cooled down some; still, if you want a really nice neighborhood, you can count on spending around 200-300,000 for a nice starter in a desirable neighborhood.

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