BRIEF: Oregonโ€™s Nurse Vacancy Crisis

Cover page of Oregonโ€™s Nurse Vacancy Crisis brief, published by the Oregon Center for Nursing in 2024.

Oregonโ€™s nursing workforce is growing, yet critical care roles remain unfilled. Traditional shortage narratives fail to capture deeper retention challenges affecting direct care. This brief reframes the problem and outlines urgent strategies to stabilize and support the profession.

How Much Do Oregonโ€™s Registered Nurses Earn? 2023 Oregon Wage Study

Cover image of the "2023 Oregonโ€™s Registered Nurse Wage Study" report from the Oregon Center for Nursing.

Compensation insights from more than 1,800 Oregon nurses uncover striking wage disparities by setting, role, and geography. From public health to hospital work, the findings offer a deep dive into how pay structures impact equity and sustainability in the nursing workforce. The report empowers leaders with data to guide retention and workforce planning.

Barriers to Nursing Workforce Retention and Attraction in Rural Areas

Cover image for the 2023 report "Barriers to Nursing Workforce Retention and Attraction in Rural Areas" by OCN.

In Oregonโ€™s rural communities, complex socioeconomic barriers continue to hinder nursing workforce stability. This qualitative study explores the real-world challenges healthcare employers face in retaining and attracting nurses across community-based settings. Findings from Coos County offer data-driven insights and next-step solutions tailored to underserved regions.

The Future of Oregonโ€™s Nursing Workforce: Analysis and Recommendations

Report cover titled โ€œThe Future of Oregonโ€™s Nursing Workforce: Analysis and Recommendations,โ€ published in 2022.

Oregonโ€™s nursing workforce is shaped by more than staffing numbers. This collaborative study was commissioned to uncover whatโ€™s driving instabilityโ€”and what to do about it. Grounded in data and statewide input, the report surfaces actionable insights on retention, preparation, and the evolving realities of nursing practice.

Issues Facing the Post-Pandemic Nursing Workforce in Oregon โ€“ Lasting Pandemic Impacts

Report cover showing title "Issues Facing the Post-Pandemic Nursing Workforce in Oregon โ€“ Lasting Pandemic Impacts" published by the Oregon Center for Nursing

Oregon’s nursing workforce is still grappling with lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, from license disruptions to emergency staffing shifts. This report explores how short-term policy responses and long-term workforce trends are reshaping the profession. As the state navigates a post-pandemic future, key questions remain about staffing capacity and nurse retention.

Issues Facing the Post-Pandemic Nursing Workforce in Oregon

Cover image for 2020 report on post-pandemic nursing workforce issues in Oregon

COVID-19 intensified Oregon’s existing nursing workforce challenges, disrupting education pipelines and stressing care delivery systems. This report explores how these shifts affect nurse training, licensure trends, and frontline well-being. Nurse migration patterns and burnout risks reveal vulnerabilities that require immediate and strategic attention.

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