The Oregon Center for Nursing was established by the Oregon Nursing Leadership Council in 2001 as a strategy for addressing Oregon's severe nursing shortage. As a non-profit organization, we are focused on a course of action to alleviate this crisis. Central to this initiative is our place as a clearinghouse for all aspects of the state's nursing profession, including:
Workforce Information • Collection and Analysis of Industry Data • Recruitment and Retention • Career Counseling • Research and Model Programs • Resources and Funding • Education Reform • Scholarships and Grants
In addition, high school students have been identified as a potential source for recruits into the nursing profession. The OCN actively works with students, parents, counselors, and instructors to provide information — including local programs, financial resources, and mentors.
In March 2001, the Northwest Health Foundation released its report, Oregon's Nursing Shortage: A Public Health Crisis in the Making. This report detailed the current shortage of RNs and projected a future where in the year 2010, Oregon will have 20 percent fewer nurses than needed, given changing demographics and population growth.
Well aware of this pending crisis, leaders from the Oregon State Board of Nursing, Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon Council of Deans, Oregon Council of Associate Degree Programs, and Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives came together in 2000 to form the Oregon Nursing Leadership Council (ONLC). The group has been committed to a strategic plan to solve the growing nursing shortage in Oregon. And in June 2001, the ONLC unveiled a strategic plan centered upon the following:
Double enrollment in Oregon nursing programs by 2004.
Develop, implement, and evaluate staffing models that make the best use of the available nurse workforce.
Redesign nursing education to more directly meet the changing health care needs of Oregonians.
Recruit into and retain nurses in the profession.
Create the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) to coordinate implementation and ongoing evaluation of this plan.
In January 2002, the OCN opened for business. The Center's first director, Dr. Deborah Burton, began the challenge of translating the ONLC's strategic objectives into action. Her first year was a busy one.
Made over 100 presentations to policy makers, educators, business and media groups, and students to educate the public on the shortage and to recruit high school students into the profession.
Launched the OCN Web site.
Provided nursing workforce data and information; promoted OCN events; and established solid partnerships with key groups, nursing programs, and financial aid resources.
Released the successful poster, Are You Man Enough To Be A Nurse? This piece has since received numerous awards and has been featured in both local and national publications.
Conducted three conferences to advance education reform and "magnetize" the State of Oregon.
Highlights for 2003
Produced and disseminated a two-page, five year snapshot of Oregon nursing workforce status The Oregon Nursing Workforce: A Sobering Snapshot, 2003.
Convened a major conference on regionalizing clinical placement which resulted in a more efficient use of clinical sites for students.
Recommended changes in licensure renewal to the OSBN to more accurately measure supply data. Subsequent changes were adopted.
Secured federal funding to conduct a comprehensive present and future analysis of the Oregon nursing workforce.
Sponsored Adventures in Nursing, a three-day camp.
Developed and delivered six nursing classes for Saturday Academy, an enrichment program for middle and high school students.
Completed a comprehensive assessment of technology use, needs, faculty support, infrastructure, maintenance, and "readiness" in all nursing education programs in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Highlights for 2004
Produced and released Caring Knows No Boundaries poster targeted to minorities.
Developed software for the cooperative regional clinical placement of nursing students.
Conducted a comprehensive nursing workforce study of Oregon nurses and their employers.
Held the first Play for Oregon's Health benefit golf tournament and auction.
Developed and marketed the OCN calendar to promote nursing and raise funds.
Hired a new Executive Director, Kristine Campbell, PhD, RN, in September.
Highlights for 2005
Hosted the National State Nursing Workforce Centers Conference, Taking the Long View, Turning Vision Into Action, in April in downtown Portland.
Co-hosted with Linfield College and other partners a Nursing Workforce Diversity Summit. As a result of the conference, a Nursing Workforce Diversity Taskforce has been created.
The Regional Nurse Clinical Placement Software (StudentMAX) program was developed and went live in Nov. 04.
Published the report When, Not If…A Report on Oregon’s Registered Nurse Workforce
Held the second annual Play for Oregon’s Health benefit Golf Tournament and Raffle.
Highlights for 2006
Hosted a Nursing Leadership Summit, Building the Foundation: Clinical Leadership at the Point of Care, the first phase in a three phase leadership development initiative in Oregon.
As a result of the Summit, a Long Term Care Leadership Development/Retention Task Force has been formed.
Partnered with other members to create an LPN Taskforce to determine the need for and education of LPNs in the state.
Held the third annual Play for Oregon’s Health benefit Golf Tournament and Raffle.
Executive Director is a member of the Oregon Health Workforce Institute (OHWI) Advisory Committee, co-leader of the Retention workgroup and holds the ONLC seat on the OHWI Board of Directors.
Hired a Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Carol Mitchell RN, MN, for the StudentMAX Clinical Placement Software Program.
Published the first edition of the quarterly OCN newsletter, News and Reviews.
ED selected to be a member of the Oregon core team for a National Governor’s Association policy academy.
Recruitment efforts are focusing on several targeted groups:
Ethnic minorities, especially Hispanic and/or Spanish speaking.
Males.
Oregon high school students of high scholastic aptitude and potential in the sciences.
Nursing faculty.
Our goal is to have a diverse, educated nursing workforce. We continue to recruit men and minority candidates into nursing as it is important that our nursing workforce reflect our Oregon population. We are partnering with teachers and counselors to encourage talented students to pursue nursing. Our recruitment and educational initiatives are working. Schools are filled to capacity even as capacity to educate nurses expands. We also continue to recruit faculty and students into faculty education programs.
The ONLC Practice Environment Subcommittee is key to our retention efforts. The goal is to redesign, strengthen, and support the work of all Oregon nurses — and we will do so by establishing Oregon as a magnet state to practice nursing. We are also focusing our retention efforts on leadership development in nursing and will begin with a leadership summit to be held in early 2006.
Kristine Campbell, PhD, RN
Executive Director, Oregon Center for Nursing
Dr. Campbell comes to the OCN with impeccable credentials. Her education includes a BSN from Viterbo College in Wisconsin, an MS from Ohio State University, and a PhD in Nursing from Oregon Health & Science University. Additionally, Dr. Campbell has a Master's in Strategic Studies degree from the Army War College.
Dr. Campbell recently retired as a Brigadier General from the U.S. Army Reserve most recently serving as an Assistant Surgeon General, the first nurse in the U.S. Army Reserve to do so. She commanded a Combat Support Hospital in Bosnia, becoming the first nurse and the first female to command such a medical facility in a hazardous duty area. Brigadier General Campbell has received numerous military decorations, the highest of which is the Distinguished Service Medal.
Her background in leadership and strategic planning proves invaluable in all OCN efforts. "The nursing shortage in the Pacific Northwest is severe. It is already affecting the quality of our health care and driving up the cost, and it's going to get worse. I can think of no higher calling right now than to work towards alleviating this crisis."
Nancy Connell, RN, MS
Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives
Joan Caley, MS, RN, CNS, CNL, CNAA, BC
Long Term Care Representative
Oregon Center for Nursing
University of Portland, Franz Hall, Room 334-D
5000 N. Willamette Boulevard
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
Phone: (503) 943-7150
Fax: (503) 943-7496
From I-5
Take exit #304 towards Portland Boulevard; cont. 0.2 miles.
Turn on N. Portland Boulevard; cont. 1.1 miles.
N. Portland Boulevard becomes N. Willamette Boulevard; cont. 1.4 miles.
Continue to 5000 N. Willamette Boulevard.
The Oregon Center for Nursing is located on the University of Portland Campus, Franz Hall. The University of Portland generously donates office space and support to the OCN. Click here for detailed map.
To make a donation, please download and return the completed form to: OCN, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Franz Hall Room 334-D, Portland, OR 97203-5798. You may also donate by calling (503) 943-7150. Donations are tax-deductible (Tax ID #74-3052430).
Kristine Campbell, PhD, RN