New Grad in Portland

verene, MSN · Jun 9, 2019

It can be competitive for a new grad as there are several nursing schools in Portland area (OHSU, UP, Lindfield, Concordia, Walla Walla, and George Fox all have local BSN programs,) that churn out many graduates.

That being said, there are also many hospitals in the area - OHSU, Providence, Legacy, Adventist, & Kaiser, which offer residency programs, as well smaller hospitals and/or specialty hospitals (e.g. VA, Unity). Additionally a number of opportunities exist for new graduates outside the hospital setting.

If you are dead-set on a highly competitive acute-care specialty (e.g ICU or L&D) it may be difficult to find a job. If however, you are open to different specialties/settings and/or open to working outside of Portland proper, it is very much possible to find employment as a new graduate.

CatRN13 · Jun 14, 2019

Thank you so much for the advice!

nursestruggles, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2019

Apply broadly and take advantage of nurse residency programs! It’s super competitive out there especially for new grads

Erandy Gonzalez · Jun 19, 2019

I agree! I am a new nurse but with five years of community health experience mostly in clinics and have been denied multiple times in the Portland, Oregon area. I revamped my resume in hopes that would help. I am not applying to ICU or ED jobs its positions such as Med Surg or Orthopedics etc. I have recently been offered a job in a clinic setting but dont want to loose the hospital skills or experience. Any advice out there? Ive applied outside portland oregon area, as far as salem, Lincoln City, and Mt Hood River. Maybe the processing time takes a while...

PDXOR, MSN, RN · Oct 30, 2019

I moved to Portland in October of 2018 from Wisconsin as a new grad. I wasn't set on getting a job right away and only applied for one job when I arrived. I got lucky and was hired! I truly think luck has a lot to do with who gets interviews and who does not. I just happened to apply at the right hospital at the right time.