Nursing in Oregon

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I'm a newly graduate RN, currently working in an acute rehab. hospital in Boston, MA. Moving to Oregon this summer What is the scoop on Salem, OR? Is that a decent part of OR to live? Anyone have other recommendations of towns/cities I should consider. How are the prospects of nursing jobs out there? Any recommendations of hospitals in OR? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!smile.png

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm an LPN and I love it here in Portland! Don't know much about Salem but know it is much smaller and not as much fun city stuff to do; also jobs are going to be much more limited. The good news is it's only about an hour or so south of Portland, and being from Boston, you are probably used to commuting, LOL.

I can only give you one example I know of re new grad RNs: when I was working agency at a LTC/skilled facility, I worked with a wonderful RN who actually got her 4 year degree from NYU. The reason she is working LTC is that it was impossible for her to get on at any of the area hospitals as a new grad; it would appear that the Portland area is not a critical shortage area, so the hospitals can afford to hire experienced RNs.

The major health systems in Portland are Providence and Legacy. Both have good reputations as employers. Adventist also has a small hospital here. Kaiser has a good-sized hospital south of Portland but sometimes they go through hiring freezes. There is also a pretty good VA hospital, and Oregon Health Sciences University has their own hospital as well but I read a few weeks ago that they were cutting jobs; not sure how that effected nursing. If you are interested in working LTC you will probably have a much easier time finding work. I would suggest that you start sending resumes and following up immediately. All the hospitals here have pretty decent reputations, although Kaiser always gets a bad rap b/c they are the big bad HMO.

Keep in mind, also, that this recession is effecting everybody...health care held out longer than most fields but it is still feeling the crunch. On a side note, I was talking to an ER MD who told me that she has seen a slow-down in walkins that were not life-threatening; people are losing their health insurance along with their jobs.

Welcome to Oregon in advance!

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I live on the coast in southern Oregon (for now LOL...I'm a transplant from the south) and I love it here! I work for the county as a psych nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic...Oregon State Hospital is in Salem, so that is one option too if you are considering mental health nursing.

Welcome to Oregon!! I'd stay here forever if I could!! Unfortunately the Coast Guard says differently! :)

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Hi there,

Thanks alot for the information. I'm going to start my search very soon. I'm open to LTC and hospitals. Being a new grad, I'll take all the experience I can get. Can't be too choosy when you lack the experience. I just can't wait till I get out west. I'm tired of the east coast.

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Specializes in LTC.
Hi there,

Thanks alot for the information. I'm going to start my search very soon. I'm open to LTC and hospitals. Being a new grad, I'll take all the experience I can get. Can't be too choosy when you lack the experience. I just can't wait till I get out west. I'm tired of the east coast.

Ah, LOL...I was just thinking living in NYC may be fun for a couple of years; I guess the grass is always greener. Anyway, good luck...I think you'll like it out here! :)

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

Moved to Oregon nurses forum for further input.

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Specializes in ENT, Neurology, Pediatrics, LTC, Skilled.

I live just outside Salem and love it here. I don't miss the fast paced city. I also work for Kaiser Permanente, and have been for 11 yrs. I would not change my job. I was Peds Team Lead 7 yrs and have been doing Adult Neurology the last 4 yrs. It is unionized, but I have been glad to have union.

I will probably retire from Kaiser. I appreciate the ability to transfer to other areas of nursing and to other facilities, like Hawaii through Kaiser.

Salem sits in the middle of access to the mountains, ocean, desert, rain forest. Lots to do plus you are close enought to go to the city too.

Hope this helps

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I live just outside Salem and love it here. I don't miss the fast paced city. I also work for Kaiser Permanente, and have been for 11 yrs. I would not change my job. I was Peds Team Lead 7 yrs and have been doing Adult Neurology the last 4 yrs. It is unionized, but I have been glad to have union.

I will probably retire from Kaiser. I appreciate the ability to transfer to other areas of nursing and to other facilities, like Hawaii through Kaiser.

Salem sits in the middle of access to the mountains, ocean, desert, rain forest. Lots to do plus you are close enought to go to the city too.

Hope this helps

I know this post is two years ago, but how is the hiring rate going over there at Kaiser? I just moved here to Oregon and am RN BSN. I am looking into LTC for now due to hospitals not hiring new grads unless you did practicum at their hospitals. Any advice would be of great appreciation! :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Dialysis.

As a BSN you will have better luck finding a job.

I graduated in June from an ADN program and had worked at Kaiser for over 20 years in a non RN position. They have nothing for new grads at all; there is a glut of nurses in the Portland area and they can afford to be choosy. An RN friend of mine called the KP nursing recruiter for me and she told her that when I have a years experience to reapply :banghead:

Not really feeling the love from Kaiser - but if you have experience, then yes, they do have jobs open.

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