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.

2025 Oregon’s Nurse Well-Being

Cover infographic visualizing nurse well-being trends from 2022 to 2025, highlighting stress levels, support needs, and emotional symptoms.

Persistent stress and emotional fatigue continue to weigh on Oregon’s nursing workforce, even as the emergency phase of the pandemic has passed. Most nurses still manage their mental health independently, and day-to-day work pressures remain the top reported stressor. The need for organizational change is clear as systemic strain endures across 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.

Barriers to Nursing Workforce Retention and Attraction in Rural Areas

Cover image for the 2023 report "Barriers to Nursing Workforce Retention and Attraction in Rural Areas" by OCN.

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.

Comparison of the Perception of Clinical Instruction: In-Facility, Face-to-Face Simulation, and Virtual Simulation Experiences in Oregon’s Nursing Programs

Cover image of the Comparison of the Perception of clinical instruction report showing nursing students participating in simulation-based clinical training.

Simulation-based instruction has become a key tool in Oregon’s nursing education, especially during pandemic-era disruptions. This study explores how students and faculty perceive in-facility, face-to-face, and virtual simulation methods. Findings reveal notable differences between student and faculty viewpoints across instructional environments.

The Future of Oregon’s Nursing Workforce: Analysis and Recommendations

Report cover titled “The Future of Oregon’s Nursing Workforce: Analysis and Recommendations,” published in 2022.

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.

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