Understanding Oregon’s Nursing Workforce Supply, Demand and Distribution

Cover page of Understanding Oregon’s Nursing Workforce: Supply, Demand, and Distribution (2022—2024) research report

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.

Nursing Supply Infographic 2024

A visual overview highlights the composition, education, and practice settings of nurses across Oregon’s healthcare system. Key graphics illustrate who makes up the workforce and where care is delivered throughout the state. Designed for quick insight, the infographic offers a snapshot of nursing’s central role in Oregon’s health infrastructure.

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.

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