January 31, 2022
When the Oregon Center for Nursing was first founded in 2002, the state was facing a serious shortage of nurses in certain settings. Sound familiar? Today, the profession continues to face staffing pressures, this time from a global pandemic that led to a “Great Resignation” and acute shortages of nurses. As the Oregon Center for … Read more
October 21, 2021
It’s no secret Oregon’s entire nursing workforce is under immense pressure as pandemic surges and workforce shortages continue to frustrate health care providers. Maintaining a pipeline of registered nurses to provide quality health care to Oregonians across the state is critical. Oregon’s nurse preceptors play a vital role with health care organizations. They not only … Read more
October 07, 2021
Oregon’s nurses are in distress. The unrelenting nature of prolonged public health crisis, along with the challenges facing the nursing profession prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, has taken its toll on Oregon’s nursing workforce. Many are leaving their work and anecdotal evidence shows there are many contributing factors. On Thursday, September 9th, the Oregon Center for … Read more
August 24, 2021
As COVID lingers, Oregon’s clinical preceptors seek to balance their role as critical mentors with the threat of burnout. In a monastery, a “preceptor” is the abbey’s primary music-maker; in Freemasonry, a preceptor is the leader of a lodge. For new nurses at certain Oregon health care facilities, a preceptor can be a crucial guide … Read more
June 28, 2021
South of Milwaukie, Oregon, at a bend in the river that bears its name, Willamette View is a 27-acre long-term care community that provides its 480 residents a range of programs and services, residential housing, and levels of healthcare. It offers a modern fitness center, support for the creative arts, dining options, varied wellness programs, … Read more
May 05, 2021
Natalie Herb was halfway through her last semester of nursing school at George Fox University when she heard the news: Oregon’s first COVID-19 patient was being treated at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro. Immediately, Herb and her classmates began wondering how COVID was going to affect their schooling. “We were told, ‘trust us, we’ll get you … Read more
April 21, 2021
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, its impact on healthcare workers continues. A new research brief from the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) summarizes recent findings regarding the pandemic’s impact on the stress levels and emotional health of registered nurses and other healthcare workers. “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Oregon’s registered … Read more
February 05, 2021
Last month, when the Oregon Department of Education announced its new guidelines for school re-openings, one group was listening closely: school nurses. Before the pandemic, an Oregon school nurse’s job description was already daunting. Charged with individualized care for students with identified health concerns, they address the needs of students on individualized education plans (IEPs) … Read more
January 25, 2021
In the growing global environment, there is a constant desire to address “big pictures” or develop “large-scale” solutions. New research from the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) continues to say local, regionalized solutions may be more effective when it comes to nurse recruitment and retention. “OCN has been looking at the distribution, or maldistribution, of … Read more