Advice on Washington state job market

Published

Specializes in PCU, ICU.

Hello everyone! I am looking for some advice about moving to the PNW. My husband and I are looking at either Oregon or Washington state. I have about 4 1/2 years experience in Acute care from tele nursing to recent ICU experience. How is the job market looking for experienced out of state nurses? What areas do you recommend for a family in washington? Thanks a bunch!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

You're looking for a jib in Washington state? What kind of sailboat do you have?

Ah, a JOB. I love Washington and Oregon, and there are plenty of large teaching hospitals if that's your preference. Smaller community hospitals, too. The climate is perfect and there are plenty of outdoor activities (including sailing) to keep you sane. I moved away a dozen years ago, but I still miss it. I hope you get some current information.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You're looking for a jib in Washington state? What kind of sailboat do you have?

I've found they go on sale right when the weather starts to take a turn for the worse. If the OP waits until November / December, it will be a buyer's market.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCU, ICU.

Lol! Yes a job, not a jib. I'm not sure if I can sail, I'd probably get lost and be talking to a volley ball on a deserted island somewhere. Haha!

Most people I have talked have missed Washington or Oregon and want to go back badly. It's terrifying to move but my husband and I aren't happy here in phoenix anymore. Sounds like I might have a fighting chance with my experience at one of the hospitals? Maybe?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Behavioral Health.

There are always openings, but there are also a lot of nurses. Generally speaking, if you look at the major metropolitan areas (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Portland, Salem, Eugene) you'll find enough hospitals that someone will likely offer you a job. You're likely to have some competition for a great job at a great hospital (e.g., nurses will shank you like a prison snitch if they think you're competing for the same job at one of the children's hospitals), but if you're flexible and willing to also look at smaller hospitals in satellite cities (Beaverton, Tualatin, Oregon City, Sea Tac, Federal Way, Lacey, etc) you'll find something. A lot of people take jobs in small hospitals in the Providence or Legacy systems and then transfer internally to the larger hospitals. Newberg Medical Center is kind of famous for being the entry way to Providence. We also have a lot of areas that qualify for loan repayment, especially along the coast or the eastern part of the state.

Basically, we have plenty of jobs, but you may have to put in a lot of applications to find one that meets your needs. Your experience will put you ahead of the ridiculous number of new grads coming out of Seattle and Portland every year, but we still have a lot of nurses, so be prepared.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

Be aware that the cost of housing (buying or renting) in the greater Portland and Seattle areas is very high. Coming from Phoenix, I wonder if you should look at the east side of Washington and Oregon, since the summer weather will remind you of Arizona.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCU, ICU.

Awesome! Thanks very much for the info! It sounds better than I initially thought. All the information on the Internet is from 2007-2013 and it made it sound like their weren't jobs out there. I will keep what you said in mind and I also am open to a smaller hospital. That doesn't matter to me a bit. I can't thank you enough for your feedback. I'll have 2 years of ICU under my belt so I'm hoping that will help. Thanks again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Be aware that the cost of housing (buying or renting) in the greater Portland and Seattle areas is very high. Coming from Phoenix, I wonder if you should look at the east side of Washington and Oregon, since the summer weather will remind you of Arizona.

Eastern Washington has (or at least had, when I was there) a lower cost of living than western Washington. The climate is high desert -- sunny and dry all summer, but they do get snow in the winter. The culture is not as diverse or as urban as the bigger cities -- something that may or may not appeal to you. I enjoyed my years in Spokane except for one thing -- I couldn't find anyone to date. If you're married, that won't be a problem for you. And maybe that has changed by now anyway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, RNC.

For anyone with experience in Spokane. Is it difficult to get a job as a new ADN grad in a specialty? I'm looking to relocate, but wondering if I need to stay local for a year or two of experience first, or if I stand a chance of landing a job up there right away (looking at Sacred Heart NICU)? Is the area under-served or over-saturated with RNs?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I believe that Eastern State, (a psych hospital), Lakeland Village, and Airway Heights Correction Center, have recently been advertising for nurses.

These are ALL STATE JOBS, WITH VERY GOOD PAY AND BENEFITS!! They are also unionized!

You even can pick up the bus in Downtown Spokane, (under the train tracks), and take the bus to work. You can buy a monthly bus pass. Parking under the train tracks is FREE!

Look up, Washington State Jobs. The VA, is also hiring.

Housing in Spokane is very reasonable.

Go to Craigslist. go to, "Real Estate", and look up houses that are for sale.

Washington State has NO STATE INCOME TAX!!

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN(ret)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

jgardner- Sacred Heart has about 100 RN openings right now so I don't think getting a job there will be too hard. (I have worked there and liked it- everyone is pretty nice and there's a good team environment.) As far as NICU goes, it's a beautiful new unit that is competitive to get into and they prefer BSNs and experience (per the current job postings) so you may need to get some experience before getting a job in that unit.

OP- I would say that even though WA has plenty of nursing schools the Spokane area still tends to be under-served. In Seattle where I'm currently living and in my BSN program there also seems to be plenty of openings to apply to as well; they're just more competitive because there are more applicants over here.

Overall, I would say WA has a great RN market right now. Spokane has a surplus of openings and even the prestigious Children's hospital that I'm currently working at in Seattle has quite a few RN openings and they hire new grads and train.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCU, ICU.

Awesome! That's relieving to hear that the job market is good out there for nurses. I have looked at the spokane area and had my eye on Olympia too. Guess I'll just have to pack the Fam up and check it out. I'll be happy to say goodbye to phoenix. Just wasn't for us after all. Thank you for your response!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion