Portland new grad RN oversaturation?

twarlik · Jan 2, 2006

I'm not sure what is up with people saying there are no jobs here! From what I can tell every hospital in Portland has many nursing jobs posted on their websites. I've talked to several nurses who just graduated from Linfield and OHSU and they each have job offers so it looks promising!
How do you like Oregon? I promise it gets much nicer in the summer! :wink2: Which Prov hospital do you work for? Did they give you a sign-on bonus or help you with moving costs?
J

I think the problem is that while the hospitals are advertising a lot of nursing jobs, the majority of the jobs are for experienced nurses.

I love Oregon so far. I moved here in July and the weather was gorgeous. The snow a couple of weeks ago threw me off a little bit, but I adjusted! :)

I work at Providence Portland Medical Center. I didn't get a sign on bonus or travel expense assistance. I asked for travel costs, but was told it wasn't offered to new grads. I have, however, been able to get assistance with paying off some of my student loans.

Good luck with school. When do you finish?

bowkerj · Jan 2, 2006

Oh, I begin as a junior at Linfield in February - so I have 2 years. I have orientation tomorrow and I am VERY excited to get going! What did you specialize in? How has Prov helped with paying loans? Is there a program you have to apply for to get tuition reimbursement?

J

twarlik · Jan 3, 2006

Oh, I begin as a junior at Linfield in February - so I have 2 years. I have orientation tomorrow and I am VERY excited to get going! What did you specialize in? How has Prov helped with paying loans? Is there a program you have to apply for to get tuition reimbursement?
J

I didn't specialize in school. I'm currently working on a medical unit, but hope to transition to critical care in a year or so.

As for my student loans...There is a special program that you have to apply to in order to get assistance. I was told it wasn't a guaranteed thing, but I managed to get the full amount possible.

Enjoy orientation and good luck with your studies.

~T

Rosewine · Feb 24, 2006

I am a new RN (Oregon) and my degree is from another state (with abundance of jobs for new RNs).

There are not many openings for new RNs in Portland. That is what I'd encountered. I submitted applications online, called the HR and went for open house. However, I received no favorable reply.

I asked to speak to nurse managers but the HR virtually slammed the door in my face.

There is a hospital just 5 mins from my doorstep....but .....sigh.

Portland is a beautiful place, and I just passed my NCLEX but I am jobless.

It is very frustrating and depressing. I gather that there are not enough openings for everybody esp so if you are a new RN without RN experience. Further, I can't find nursing homes here. SIGH.

Further, I realize there is quite a high number of new nurses produced by the schools here...I guess the hospitals will take them first through various channels. I also found that the number of hospital beds in Oregon is lower than the national average. The primary prevention must be pretty good for Oregon to forgo the beds.

I am truly disappointed. I came all the way from another state to be with my spouse, only to realize the job market is just a delusion. It seemed like I jumped from a pan of opportunities into the fire.

smilin_gp · Feb 25, 2006

Rosewine, from what I can tell, many of the hospitals are only accepting new RN's at certain times. OHSU and the Legacy system are putting out applications in March for the new nurse med-surg internships. Might want to check out their websites for these internships, as this might be a way to get your foot in the door. Best of luck!

Rosewine · Feb 25, 2006

Thank you.

I know the programs for new RNs come only at certain times of the year. I just hope there are enough for all new graduates. I really like Portland... but I am jobless...*self-pity*

What about Adventist? Are there other hospitals around here? I tried contacting Providence but was unwelcomed. Kaiser Permante....I'd been to the clinic but where's the in-patient hospital? I heard it is quite far away.

I wonder if there are any nursing homes or rehab facilities (not belonging to the above mentioned health systems) around here.

smilin_gp · Feb 25, 2006

The main Kaiser hospital is downtown, on the NE side, across from Legacy Emanuel. I've heard good things about Adventist. I'm actually planning on working for the VA Hospital once my forms go through as a tech until NCLEX. I did not feel welcomed at Providence either, but I did get positive responses from Legacy (Emanuel, Good Samaritan, Mount Hood Medical Center, Salmon Creek) and OHSU when I asked the recruiters about the Med-Surg internships. Salem Hospital is a bit far away, but I know that they also have a good transition program for new nurses. As for rehab systems and nursing homes, I really do not know all that much, except that I have heard that many need nurses.

Jamesdotter · Feb 26, 2006

The main Kaiser hospital is downtown, on the NE side, across from Legacy Emanuel.

That hospital has been closed. Currently, the only Kaiser hospital in the Portland area is Kaiser Sunnyside, in Clackamas. It's about 8 or 10 miles from the city center of Portland, on the east side of the river, and just off the 205freeway, several miles south of Adventist Hospital (which is also just off the 205 freeway!) Since it's across the freeway from the Clackamas Town Center shopping mall, I think the bus service is probably adequate.

smilin_gp · Feb 26, 2006

Oops! Good to know that it has been closed. Sorry for the mistake

edcampbe · Feb 26, 2006

I'm suprised to hear you two say you didn't feel welcomed by Providence Health System. I've heard nothing but good things from the system, and several of my friends (graduating from nursing school in state and out of state) were hired by Providence shortly after graduation. Also, the two top Providence hospitals in the state (PPMC and St. V's) have both achieved Magnet status (the only two to do so in the entire state). I do know that Providence has a special relationship with the University of Portland, and they must take 75 new nurses from U of P each year. The large number of students coming from U of P might decrease the number of students they accept from other schools.

- Evan

Rosewine · Feb 27, 2006

there is a magnet hospital in the state I came from.... several said it is top heavy there...I guess Magnet status...doesn't mean everything...

I was rather taken aback..as I thought the recruitment (mgr + HR) would treat potential nurses, regardless of origins, at least with ...I thought they were being rude. Perhaps I met the wrong ones. But it is ok, they have their priorities.

smilin_gp · Feb 27, 2006

I thought Providence HR was somewhat rude. It may have to do with school affiliation. My SO works there, so I'm tryin not to be biased, but I caught a lot of the attitude "you're lucky to be talking with us" mantra with regards to nursing recruitment and it went over like a ton of bricks with me. I don't necessarily want to work in an environment that already views me as so lucky. Anyway, people may have different experiences depending on schools, recruiter and day, so hopefully I'm all wrong about Providence.