Relocation/Jobs in Portland area

Student Mom to Three · Mar 16, 2014

I think many of the hospitals prefer BSN and are requiring those without it to agree to obtain that degree. I believe one hospital, Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) is BSN only. You can always look to work in Vancouver, WA. There is a hospital there that also prefers BSN, but does not require it and I don't think even requires a commitment to obtain the degree. They always seem to be hiring for CVICU and I believe the lowest end of the pay scale is about $32.

matsalleh · Mar 16, 2014

OHSU is a magnet hospital so they won't hire anyone new without a BSN (current employees with ADNs were grandfathered in). Providence hospitals require BSNs by 2018 and you have to commit to finishing your degree by then if you are hired. I do not know if this stipulation has affected their current hiring of ASNs, but I haven't heard of many people being hired by Providence lately. The Legacy hospital system will hire ADNs and with your years of ICU experience, you are probably in a good position to be considered for employment with them. Kaiser will also hire ADNs but I've heard that the hiring process is very slow, with many people saying that they didn't hear anything until 6 months after applying. That pretty much covers the Portland area hospitals. Other than Legacy and Kaiser, there are some smaller hospitals on the outskirts of Portland or in small towns about an hour from Portland (such as Tuality in Hillsboro and Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville). There is also Peace Health in Vancouver, Washington. All of these hospitals will hire ADNs, but they pay a little less than the major hospitals in Portland. Overall, RNs in hospitals in Portland are paid more than in many other states, but the cost of living is higher here too. My advice would be to apply for Legacy and Kaiser jobs now and don't move until you have something secured. The nursing market is competitive here in Portland. Good luck!

orionsbelt123 · Mar 17, 2014

Thank you Student Mom to Three on the heads up regarding Vancouver. I will keep that option in mind. Thanks also for the heads up on the payscale. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Much appreciated.

orionsbelt123 · Mar 17, 2014

Thank you matsalleh for all the wonderful leads. You have hospitals listed there in outlying areas that I have never heard of and would never have considered until now. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I'm very greatful. You guys have told me what I was afraid to hear: No matter the experience level of the nurse, everyone seems to be moving toward BSN only. Grrr. I will take your good advice though and secure a job before making the move. I'll probably have to bit the bullet and take my BSN whether I can afford it or not. Thanks again. :-)

NurseVoldemort, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2014

orionsbelt123

Something else to consider is that Washington State does not have a State income tax so if you live and work in Vancouver WA but do your shopping in Oregon (where there's no sales tax) you'll end up saving a good chunk of money and that would make up for your pay scale difference. Something else to consider.

Student Mom to Three · Mar 19, 2014

That is true about the income tax. However, there really is no pay scale difference between the two states. All of the Legacy hospitals are on the same scale and I think the Providence system in PDX starts out lower than Peacehealth in Vanc. But....although many Washingtonians do jump across the border to shop....it shouldn't be encouraged. Washington is an amazing state and we owe it and our businesses support by doing our shopping here!!

newsettler · May 7, 2014

@ orionsbelt123

Hi! I'm sorry to intrude on the discussion! I noticed you're in a somewhat similar situation, and I really didn't want this opportunity to ask pass me by!

I'm a fresh graduate (BSN), and I'm debating whether I should seek work in FL or in OR. You mentioned that you're presently working in FL.. would it be possible for you to share what you know that could compare FL and OR? :)

I'd be very grateful if you could give your insight about these states. (I haven't been to either state)

orionsbelt123 · Jun 23, 2014

Hello starcallerchrys,

I see that you've asked the same questions on different posts so I'm aware you have gotten most of your questions answered, so please don't feel as though you have been ignored. I promise that is not the case.

I have been following this and other nursing forums for years and generally can get my questions answered by reading other peoples posts. I rarely make posts of my own but when I do, occassionaly someone else will come along and post their own question into my post.

When there is a post with its own subject and content and you post your own questions there you deflect responses away from their question and toward your own. I initially was simply going to let it go but I have been reading other posts and you've done the same to a number of other individuals. I'm sorry to call you out but it's simply bad form. I wish you Good Luck with your move.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Jun 24, 2014

Yep matsalleh is pretty much right on, with regards to the Portland area hospitals.

Legacy will hire ADNs and with your experience you shouldn't have a problem getting hired. They are making the move to BSN only, but it hasn't happened yet.

Currently they give a very small bonus about $0.75 more an hour if you have a BSN.

OHSU....geez I would forget it. I have seen job adds for masters preferred for a floor nurse position in the neuro ICU.

Providence not unheard of to hire a ADN, but you got to know someone because the pesky pre screening questions ask if you have a BSN or are enrolled.

There are the outlying hospitals Tuality with is about 29-30 min from Portland depending on traffic and Portland Adventist which is just off the 205 freeway. Both which hire ADNs. Adventist has a fairly new CVICU.

Both Legacy Emmanuel and OHSU are trauma centers. While the nursing jobs are compeative, if you have experience it shouldn't be too bad. There are 7 nursing schools in the Portland area.

orionsbelt123 · Jun 25, 2014

Thank you LoveMyBugs for taking the time to respond to my post. It's good to know my options aren't so dismal. After reading all the posts here it was starting to sound like Portland had an impossibly competitive job market. Thanks and take care.