Understanding Oregon’s Nursing Workforce Supply, Demand and Distribution

Shifting narratives around Oregon’s nursing workforce reveal a more complex reality than a simple shortage. Growth in licensed professionals contrasts with persistent hiring challenges across specific regions and care settings. A closer look highlights how workforce distribution and employment conditions shape access to care across the state.
How Much Do Oregon’s Registered Nurses Earn? 2023 Oregon Wage Study

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

In Oregon’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 Oregon’s Nursing Workforce: Analysis and Recommendations

Oregon’s nursing workforce is shaped by more than staffing numbers. This collaborative study was commissioned to uncover what’s driving instability—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.
BRIEF: The Connection Between Local Nurse Recruitment Efforts and Social Determinants of Health

Growing concern about nursing maldistribution has shifted focus toward community-driven solutions. This brief explores how nurse workforce size and practice settings correlate with public health indicators in Oregon. It offers compelling insight into how strategic recruitment in ambulatory and long-term care could influence local health outcomes.
Filling the Gap: An Examination of Oregon Registered Nurses Licensed Through Endorsement

Oregon’s growing nurse demand increasingly depends on nurses licensed through endorsement. This report explores where these nurses practice and how that impacts healthcare access. Insights reveal how rural and non-hospital settings may face widening staffing gaps if current trends persist.
Nursing Maldistribution: The Intersection Between Practice Setting and Years of Nursing Experience

RNs across Oregon are not evenly distributed between care settings, especially when considering years of experience. Nurses with more experience tend to cluster in non-hospital environments, while newer nurses gravitate toward hospitals and long-term care. These patterns raise important implications for workforce planning, recruitment, and retention strategies statewide.
Trends in Oregon Nursing Education 2012–18

Nursing education in Oregon is evolving, but not fast enough to meet projected workforce needs. While BSN programs are growing, ADN and LPN pathways show stagnation or decline. This analysis highlights long-term trends shaping the state’s ability to “grow its own” nursing workforce.
Shortage or Maldistribution: Shifting the Conversation About Oregon’s Nursing Workforce

Misconceptions about a statewide nursing shortage often overshadow a more pressing issue: maldistribution. This analysis reveals how workforce imbalance affects rural regions and non-hospital settings. OCN’s research encourages targeted action by identifying critical disparities in nurse availability across Oregon.
Characteristics of the Nursing Workforce in Oregon – 2016

Nurses make up the largest share of Oregon’s healthcare workforce, serving as essential contributors to care access, quality, and cost outcomes. This 2016 profile outlines age, education, gender, and licensure trends across practice settings and specialties. Workforce planners, educators, and employers will find critical context for responding to statewide healthcare demands.