Filling the Gap: An Examination of Oregon Registered Nurses Licensed Through Endorsement

Oregon continues to face a critical gap between the number of nurses needed and the number graduating from in-state programs. While endorsement licenses—granted to RNs who initially received licensure in another state—have historically played an essential role in meeting workforce needs, recent data show a concerning decline in the number of these nurses actively practicing in Oregon. The findings suggest growing instability in relying on this pipeline to meet the state’s nursing demand.

This study builds on previous workforce research by analyzing the proportion of endorsing RNs who actually practice in Oregon, and how this has shifted since 2010. It also examines where these nurses are working, comparing urban and rural communities as well as hospital and non-hospital settings. Smaller counties and non-hospital employers appear especially vulnerable to the decline, as they have historically relied more heavily on endorsement-based RNs to meet staffing needs.

While endorsement licensure offers a promising mechanism for supplementing Oregon’s workforce, its long-term reliability may be eroding. Fewer newly endorsed RNs are practicing in Oregon, and the imbalance is more pronounced in areas already experiencing staffing difficulties. These findings highlight the need for policy solutions and continued monitoring to ensure an equitable and sufficient nursing workforce across all regions of the state.