Issues Facing the Post-Pandemic Nursing Workforce in Oregon – Lasting Pandemic Impacts

Report cover showing title "Issues Facing the Post-Pandemic Nursing Workforce in Oregon – 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.

Not Working Well: Clinical Placement for Nursing Students in an Era of Pandemic

Cover image for 2020 OCN report on disrupted nursing student clinical placements during the pandemic

Faced with the urgency of a global health crisis, nursing education programs and healthcare agencies in Oregon scrambled to adapt clinical placement strategies. This publication captures the resulting stress, innovation, and breakdowns that surfaced as traditional education pipelines were upended. Interviews across sectors reveal a critical moment of reckoning for how students are prepared for practice.

Trends in Oregon Nursing Education 2012–18

Cover image of the 2019 OCN report on nursing education trends in Oregon from 2012–2018

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.

Nursing Apprenticeships: Examples for Oregon Discussion

Cover image of the 2019 report on nursing apprenticeships and workforce strategies for Oregon

Nursing apprenticeships are gaining renewed attention as a strategy to address workforce shortages in healthcare. This discussion paper explores existing models and evaluates their relevance to Oregon’s nursing pipeline. It invites healthcare leaders and policymakers to reimagine how education and on-the-job training can work together.

The Demand for Nursing Professionals in Oregon – 2018

Featured image of the 2018 nursing workforce demand report by the Oregon Center for Nursing.

Employer perspectives across Oregon’s healthcare sectors reveal rising turnover and vacancy rates, especially in long term care. Survey findings uncover how workforce challenges vary dramatically across hospitals, public health, home health, and hospice settings. With regional shortages looming, employer responses suggest that targeted, sector-specific strategies are critical to stabilize Oregon’s nursing pipeline.

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