Moving to OR, what ER to work at?

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Specializes in ED.

I have 6 years of experiance. I have my BSN, CEN, ACLS, PALS, and BLS. I have worked at level 2 trauma for a short period of time; worked in Washington state and New York. Looking into Portland area hospitals. Plan on living in Hillsboro area or ourskirts of Portland. I know this will create a hassle with commuting in the morning to work with traffic but it can't be as bad as New York so I'm ok with that! What I'm really looking to know, is:

1. what hospitals have best reputations as far as ER nursing goes?

2. are any hospitals not for profit?

3. are any hospitals union?

4. any hosptials chronically short-staffed?

5. are wages comperable from hospital to hospital as far as wages go?

6. any education reimbursement? (Looking into doing Nurse Practitioner)

and any other comments are appreciated! Thanks in advance! Looking to move this summer (2014).

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Specializes in NICU.

Hi there, and welcome to Oregon! I can't speak for all of the hospitals, but I can give you information about OHSU in Portland. OHSU is the only teaching hospital in the state, is unionized and a level 1 trauma center. I'm employed with them (in a non-nursing position) and they do offer different rates of tuition reimbursement whether you are attending school at, or outside of, OHSU.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

OHSU is not the only teaching hospital, OHSU is a university, but Legacy Emmanuel is also a teaching hospital. OHSU and Emmanuel are the only trauma centers in the state, they are just a few miles apart from each other.

OHSU their ER is huge, but old, Emmanuel just remodeled their ER, they built a new childrens hospital on campus and a new childrens ED, once the kiddos moved out of the main hospital that allowed for expasion and remodeling. Most of the hosptials systems if you go to their websites will explain what their benefits are as far as tution reimbursment or assistance.

OHSU - university hospital, union

Legacy - non profit, non union has Emmanuel (trauma center)+ Randall Childrens Hosptial, Good Samaritan, Meridian Park, Salmon Creek (Vancouver WA) and Mt Hood.

Providence - non profit, union, just laid off workers has. Prov Portland, Prov St. Vincents, Prov Willamette Falls, Prov Milwaukie

Portland Adventist - non profit, non union - small 200 bed hospital

Kaiser - profit, union. Has Kaiser Sunnyside and just opened a new hospital on the west side of Portland a year ago dont know the name.

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Specializes in ED.

I hadn't even heard of OHSU until this post. It looks like a nice hospital and sounds like it has a good reputation in the community based on some outside research I've done... I can't find if they give employee discounts for master level nursing program if I took their program, but I would think they would... Plus it looks like we are going to be living in Hillsboro area, and OSHU will be less traffic to fight with than going through Portland every day for work.

Thanks for the advice!

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Don't assume that OHSU will be an easier commute! OHSU is on Marquam Hill and , from what I understand, there is currently a long waitlist for the very expensive parking garage. Most employees and students utilize public transportation, so be aware that this would likely be your fate as well! If I were you, I'd factor in this additional time when making your decision about future employers.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

OHSU is up on a large hill with zero parking for employees. My hubby did construction on a house about a mile up the hill from the hospital and there were employees parking on the street up there and hiking down. They do have lots somewhere on the campus for employees but heard a rumor that the cost is around $10 a day

OHSU does have the tram from downtown to up the hill.

If you are living in Hillsboro you are going to have traffic no matter where you go

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The cost is $12 a day on the hill...and the commute from Hillsboro is not going to be easy unless you leave around 6:45-7. The only problem is you have to time it right or you will get to work really early but you would need to find parking and then make a little bit of a walk to your unit depending on where it's located on the hill. OHSU is a great place to work so I think the commutes shouldn't be a huge factor, and if you work nights the parking is free.

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Specializes in ED.

Thank you everyone for the tips/advice. I likely will be working nights so this will help with commute and parking it sounds like. I've also considered trying to get a teaching job so I've been looking at colleges to teach at... I would still want to work in an ER at least part time to keep up my skills though. Thanks again!

I'll be moving in September so hopefully all will work out!

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Specializes in ED.

Does anyone by chance know if parking is easier with a motorcycle? The hospital I work at here in NY has a desinated area for motorcycilists which always has spots available.

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I believe costs for parking are the same, no matter the vehicle. There is a sky tram that goes right up the hill to the hospital. Parking for the tram might be your best option

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Specializes in ED.

Looks like I'll be moving end of August so I'll be starting in September wherever I go. I haven't applied anywhere yet cause I still haven't decided for sure where I want to work. Thanks for everyone's advice/input.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

Take a look at Salem Hospital, south of Portland. It has the busiest ED in Oregon. It's where I work and I absolutely LOVE it. There are many people who have been there 20+ years, the people and culture there are fabulous.

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