Questions about nursing in Oregon

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry/PCU, SNF.

Hey all,

As the end of school is getting closer than ever, I've been looking to the future, seeing where I would like to work, thinking about relocating and all that comes with finishing nursing school. Having moved away from Portland to go to school and having lived there nearly 10 years before leaving, the wife and I really want to come back, but I have some questions that I was hoping y'all could help me out with.

1. NCLEX, do I take it for my state (AZ) or take it for Oregon (and/or Washington...not ruling out Vancouver to live/work)? How does that work?

2. Opportunites for new grads...I've read a couple of threads that don't sound very encouraging is this the reality? Or are there opportunites for new grads?

3. Ratios, what are they like?

4. Employers. Who is good to work for, who isn't? Who takes care of their new grads?

As for my background, I'll be completing a ADN program, looking to do tele/step-down or med/surg work. Am currently externing on a tele/step-down floor, but besides clinicals, that's about the experience I have (it will be a year when I graduate). As for location, it doesn't really matter, Portland metro, Vancouver, Salem, even Eugene is a possibility. I'm sure these are the main questions, or at least the ones I could come up with tonight.

Any help y'all could render would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Tom

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hello Im not going to be much help on most of your questions but i do know in the Eugene area there is a high demand for Nursing of all kinds and we are getting ready to build a new hospital that is bigger, so there will be many openings there. we also have two hospitals in the area one in Eugene and one in Springfield which is our sister city. I wish you the best of luck in your future and your familys.:)

Hey all,

As the end of school is getting closer than ever, I've been looking to the future, seeing where I would like to work, thinking about relocating and all that comes with finishing nursing school. Having moved away from Portland to go to school and having lived there nearly 10 years before leaving, the wife and I really want to come back, but I have some questions that I was hoping y'all could help me out with.

1. NCLEX, do I take it for my state (AZ) or take it for Oregon (and/or Washington...not ruling out Vancouver to live/work)? How does that work?

2. Opportunites for new grads...I've read a couple of threads that don't sound very encouraging is this the reality? Or are there opportunites for new grads?

3. Ratios, what are they like?

4. Employers. Who is good to work for, who isn't? Who takes care of their new grads?

As for my background, I'll be completing a ADN program, looking to do tele/step-down or med/surg work. Am currently externing on a tele/step-down floor, but besides clinicals, that's about the experience I have (it will be a year when I graduate). As for location, it doesn't really matter, Portland metro, Vancouver, Salem, even Eugene is a possibility. I'm sure these are the main questions, or at least the ones I could come up with tonight.

Any help y'all could render would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Tom

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hello Im not going to be much help on most of your questions but i do know in the Eugene area there is a high demand for Nursing of all kinds and we are getting ready to build a new hospital that is bigger, so there will be many openings there. we also have two hospitals in the area one in Eugene and one in Springfield which is our sister city. I wish you the best of luck in your future and your familys.:)

I'm looking to relocate to Oregon, again. I don't know much about Eugene but am very curious. I love green and rain! You mentioned a new hospital. Do you know about when they will be opening? Also, do you happen to know who are the most commonly used travel nurse companies in that area? Thanks for any info.

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Specializes in Surgical/Telemetry.

I've heard positives about many of the local health systems as emloyers. I am currently doing a preceptorship on the Good Sam tele floor, which has been interesting so far. Salem Hospital really has a wonderful, supportive program for new-grads that is very individualized. I think that the ratios around here are fairly good. Where I work, they are about 1:4 days, 1:5 nights. Let me know if I can help with any other questions :)

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Willamette Valley Med Ctr in McMinnville is hiring nurses. There are a couple of Med/Surg openings on nights. Also some other nursing position openings. They hire new grads, might check it out. Also Providence Health just opened a new hospital in Newberg. Heard that they pay pretty well. I'm not sure about the NCLEX, might email Oregon Board of Nursing and ask. Good luck in your search!!!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I've heard positives about many of the local health systems as emloyers. I am currently doing a preceptorship on the Good Sam tele floor, which has been interesting so far. Salem Hospital really has a wonderful, supportive program for new-grads that is very individualized. I think that the ratios around here are fairly good. Where I work, they are about 1:4 days, 1:5 nights. Let me know if I can help with any other questions :)

Agree with the above. Samaritan Health Services is a good employer, they pay well, and their benefits are among the best in the state. I worked for them for years, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. (I quit mainly because I could no longer handle the physical requirements of hospital nursing; in addition, the hospital where I was had higher ratios than Good Sam's, as well as one assistant manager who was terrible. She is no longer in that position.)

I've also heard good things about Salem Hospital, especially for new grads, although I certainly wouldn't want to live in Salem itself.........there are HUGE drug and gang problems in the city, and it's been downright scary lately since somebody started planting pipe bombs underneath cars all over the area. I must admit, I'm a country girl who doesn't much like cities in general, but I dislike Salem in particular; Eugene, however, is wonderful, and there are many attractions. Portland's funky and fun, too, although the city seems to think nothing that happens outside of it matters much. :uhoh3:

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Well, living in Eugene means this is the area I know best. The largest hospital, now located in Eugene, will be moving (building is in progress) to Springfield (our sister city - one side of the street is Eugene, the other side is Springfield). It will be a large, very modern hospital with gorgeous views and is set to open in 2007. They will also keep the other hospital site as an extension and for offices.

The other hospital in Springfield is moving to Eugene and I don't think construction has yet begun or when it will open, but the hospital is still in full swing.

Both hire new graduates, probably most on night shift.

I know the hospital in Salem is good, and an excellent place for new grads to work. But I didn't know anything about the crime situation there - thanks Marla for filling us in on that. Nah - don't think that would be the least bit appealing.

Portland has a lot of excellent hospitals where it seems a new grad would stand a good chance at getting a thorough orientation, but I can't say that as a fact, as I've never worked in that city. Sounds like the area you are working in would be in high demand.

Sorry, don't know a thing about which travel nurse companies are popular here, but best of luck to y'all in finding some great positions.

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Specializes in L&D, PACU.

I recently corresponded with the oregon board of nursing. they said I can sit for the NCLEX anywhere in the country and still get my license through Oregon. They seem to be a lot speedier than the state I'm getting my education in. Don't know if that's exactly what you wanted to know about the NCLEX.

:rolleyes:

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