Relocation to Portland

[MissTweetums, ASN, BSN, RN]

Hi,

I am planning on relocating to Portland (from Montana) probably sometime around end of December. So this is very far in advance, but I want to be prepared. I'm currently a Family Practice RN, aka Clinic RN, and have been since oct. 2018. It's been a great job to allow me to get my BSN, which I completed March 2020. I am hoping to switch to a hospital job, I know I will likely have to works nights starting out, and I'm looking to go to Med/Surg, so I'm looking for some information.

Getting to the point, I am wondering when would be the best time to start looking for jobs/applying if I want to start working beginning of January? I am not sure how quickly or slowly the hospitals hire nurses on. I've heard ranges from 55 days, to people getting hired in April to start in august. This is my most important question.

Also if anyone has any info on the hospitals that would be appreciated. I have heard good things about OHSU and Kaiser. I have a providence in my city where I did clinicals and I like them here at least.

Thank you for any information you might have!

[TriciaJ, RN]

The downside of OHSU is that it is a parking nightmare. Before you accept a job there make sure you know how you are going to get to work. It will depend on your shift and current public transpo options.

St. Vincent (Providence) is a nice hospital in west Portland. I enjoyed my time there. I don't know a lot about Providence Portland on the east side.

I've never worked for Kaiser but they do deliver good care and appear to be a fairly nurse-friendly environment. The newest one is in Hillsboro (Westside) where housing might be a bit more affordable. Interstate Kaiser is in a regentrified neighbourhood but there may be issues with traffic and parking.

I don't have much experience, personal or professional, with the other hospitals.

OHSU, Providence and Kaiser are all unionized so the pay and bennies should be pretty good.