BRIEF: Oregon’s Nurse Vacancy Crisis

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

Oregon’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 Oregon’s Registered Nurses Earn? 2023 Oregon Wage Study

Cover image of the "2023 Oregon’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.

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.

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.

Characteristics of the Nursing Workforce in Oregon – 2016

Cover image of the Characteristic of the Nursing Workforce in Oregon Report showing nurse and patient hands, symbolizing Oregon's nursing workforce

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.

Nursing Education in Oregon (2016)

Infographic showing 2016 nursing education trends in Oregon, including graduation rates, program types, gender distribution, and student demographics.

Explore the 2016 landscape of Oregon’s nursing education programs through a visual breakdown of graduates, gender ratios, and program distribution. This concise infographic helps illuminate workforce trends across ADN and BSN programs. It’s a valuable snapshot for educators, employers, and policymakers.

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