Experienced RN relocate to Portland??

GooseRN · Jun 15, 2012

I'm not a full-time staffer at a Portland Hospital, but I'm anxious to hear what people say. I only have 1.5 years experience, but I have had no luck getting a job to relocate to Portland. I'm even semi-local as I lived in Portland before nursing school and sadly my husband still lives there.

I think with your experience you will have better luck finding something. And with savings, I'm sure one to two months of networking in Portland would be enough to land a hospital job.

Good luck to you.

jennifer1000000 · Jul 19, 2016

I know that we are hiring experienced nurses to PACU and Endoscopy; critical care experience preferred but not required. Salem, Oregon

jennifer1000000 · Jul 19, 2016

I know of a place that is hiring experiences critical care nurses, if you want info, let me know. I can't post it here.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 19, 2016

Hi there.
I am planning on moving to Portland next month. I just applied for full time positions this week, as I was hoping to initiate the transition via travel assignment. However, travel no longer an option d/t prolonged time in licensure endorsement. I had initially thought it would be no problem getting an RN job, but now am getting a little nervous after reading some of the threads here.
My disadvantages: relocating from out of state---do Portland hospitals prefer locals? No BSN yet, but am in an RN-BSN program---will this really hurt me? Travel nurse for last 3.5 yrs---may look "flighty" "unreliable", however, most hospitals I did stay 9 mos.
My advantages: 6 yrs critical care-- CV surg, trauma level 1, neurosurg, all transplants, heart device, IABP, CRRT, etc. Super great reference letters.
Looking for advice from full time staff in Portland hospitals....should I reconsider moving until a job completely secure, or it it reasonable to assume I could find employment within a month or two of living there. My savings is pretty beefed up and I wouldn't mind a 1-2 month vacation. Thanks for input!!!

I'm sorry, I really can't comment on the job prospects, but I did want to address two things in your post:

I absolutely think that being a travel nurse for the past 3.5 years will NOT be held against you or make you appear "flighty" - quite the opposite, IMO. The fact that you've been doing it for this long shows you're very good at what you do, require little in the way of orientation, and are adaptable.

My second comment is a question. You said:

However, travel no longer an option d/t prolonged time in licensure endorsement.

Can you explain what you mean by that? Is getting your OR RN license really a long process?

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Jul 20, 2016

With your experience I don't think you will have any issues getting a job.

The good thing is you are in a BSN program, because every hospital in the area is making BSN a requirement by 2018.

My unit recently hired 2 nurses that used to travel, their orientations went much faster than a nurse who was transitioning to the unit.

Best of luck to you

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

Gah, zombie thread. Presumably the OP has figured out their answer, 4 years later.