Which hospitals are the best to work at in the Portland area?

[tejon, DNP, NP]

I'm just starting out in my Nursing career - waiting to get into nursing school and getting a CNA in the meantime to get points and direct patient care experience. It dawned on me that it would be helpful to apply to a hospital I'd like to work at once I finish nursing school, if possible.

I'm in Milwaukie and would love to work somewhere close, but I'm thinking Kaiser and the whole HMO atmosphere would kill me. Portland Milwaukie is awfully small, so I'm thinking I wouldn't get as much experience as I would at a larger hospital. That leaves Good Samaritan, Emmanuel, Providence Portland, and OHSU. Are any of these better bets? Am I wrong on Kaiser or Providence Milwaukie?

Please feel free to PM me if you like.

[cathmarm]

There is Portland Adventist Medical Center, close to Mall 205, just north of Division St.

It is a 250 bed hospital, has all the regular departments with the exception of pediatrics. It is a conservative and a Christian environment, no red hair or black lipstick ;-)

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

Just an FYI-it may be harder getting a job in a hospital as a new CNA without any LTC experience.

[NewNurseyGirl2009]

What about Willamette falls hospital. They have a new program for employees along with Kaiser that allows a few employees a free ride thru nursing school in a cohort. They pay for it in exhange for a few years of service after graduations. I have been there for years and it's a great place to work.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I wouln't limit yourself on which hospital you want to work for unless you have multiple offers. Focus on getting your CNA first and getting experience as most hospitals will not hire unless you have some experience. And OHSU, Providence and Adventist are moving to only having CNA II work for them.

I havent worked for Kiaser, but I have meet some people who do and seem very happy they offer their emplyees a better benfit package than some other hospitals plus they have a nursing program through CCC. Milwaukie Prov may be small, but it is part of the Prov system and then you would have the ability to transfer to other hospitals within their system.