Travel Nursing Spotlight: Oregon

Portland is one of Oregon’s most popular cities, but there are an abundance of sights to see throughout Oregon. Becoming a travel nurse in this state will create many opportunities to explore and visit popular landmarks.

Healthcare in Oregon

When the Affordable Care Act required residents to purchase their own health care insurance, Oregon set up their own state exchange. This way, Oregon residents can apply for income-based financial assistance when they enroll in ACA-compliant plans.

Residents can buy health care coverage through private marketplace or federal marketplace exchange if their employer does not offer a healthcare plan. Medicaid is available to those who are eligible. Oregon offers low-cost health insurance for children through the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP).

Licensing in Oregon

There is a shortage of nurses in Oregon, which makes it a perfect opportunity for travel nurses to visit this state. A higher demand for nurses usually means that salaries are above average. Becoming a nurse in Oregon has three stages:

• Choosing between the LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or RN (Registered Nurse) options. An LPN program takes one year to complete, but the salary may be lower. The RN option has two routes: an associate’s degree that will take two years (ADN) or a four-year program (BSN).
• Take prerequisite courses to gain acceptance into the nursing program.
• Take the NCLEX-PN exam for LPNs and NCLEX-RN for RNs.

After completing the program, nurses can move on to an even higher position with a master’s degree. There is a four-stage process to becoming an APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse).

Nurse Practitioners (NP) need to join a program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (NCEE) or Accreditation Commission in Education for Nursing (ACEN). They must also focus on a specific population, such as Family Practice, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Psychiatric/Mental Health or other options.

Nurses need to take courses in pharmacology, physical assessment, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology, and clinical management. They should also have 500 clinical hours and should be a college graduate in the last two years.

The NCEE or ACEN should approve a Clinical Nurse Specialist’s (CNS) degree. They need 960 practice hours as a CNS and should be a college graduate from the last 5 years.

Next, nurses should become officially certified as an NP, CNS, or CRNA. The board recognizes:

• AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)
• AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners)
• ANCC (American Nurses Credentiality Center)
• NCC (National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties)
• PNCB (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board)
• American College of Nurse-Midwives
• National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists

Stage three requires applying for the APRN certification depending on one’s specialization. The last stage is renewing the license every two years.

Attractions in Oregon

The most-visited city is Portland. It’s known as an old town with a modern downtown area and many different types of landscapes. For a more historic feel, visiting Salem will show off Oregon’s culture and art. Thrill-seekers will enjoying seeing Bend; it’s full of fun activities, such as skiing, rafting, and camping.

Oregon is an overlooked state, but there’s more than enough to discover. Oregon’s green landscape and cozy cities should be a good enough reason to visit as a travel nurse.