Best Hospitals to Work for in Oregon

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Known for its culture and natural wonders, Oregon is well-suited for those looking for a change of scenery. This state is especially notable for its healthcare institutions.

Every hospital on this list is a Magnet hospital, as determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) criteria. A Magnet hospital is an honorable designation, with less than 600 hospitals across the country having been named with this quality of nursing and high patient satisfaction.

Here are some of Oregon’s top hospitals whose focus is on delivering the utmost care for patients and nurses. 

Oregon’s top hospitals

• Oregon Health & Science University Hospital
• Providence Portland Medical Center
• Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
• Salem Hospital
• VA Portland Health Care System

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Best hospitals in Oregon 

The following list of Magnet-status hospitals has been compiled using websites such as the ANCC, U.S. News & World Report, and Medicare. Feedback from other trusted employment websites, like Glassdoor and LinkedIn, have also been used to rate their rankings.

Oregon Health & Science University Hospital

Regionally ranked number 1 in Oregon, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Hospital has also ranked number 1 in Portland. Its Children’s division has ranked number 1 in Oregon  and number 6 in the Pacific region . It is nationally ranked in 6 adult specialties and 7 pediatric specialties and rated as high-performing in 3 adult specialties and 16 procedures and conditions by the U.S. News & World Report. The federal government has given this institution 4 out of 5 stars. This hospital is one of 11 academic medical centers to be recognized for demonstrating excellence in delivering high-quality care based on the annual Vizient Quality and Accountability Ranking.

Learn more about OHSUHospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Portland, OR
• Hospital network: 4 locations
• Nurses: 2,400

Providence Portland Medical Center

Regionally ranked number 5 in Oregon and number 3 in Portland, Providence Portland Medical Center is also rated as high-performing in 3 adult specialties and 11 procedures and conditions by the U.S. News & World Report. The federal government has awarded it the honor of 5 out of 5 stars. This institution has also been granted the America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award by Healthgrades from 2019 through 2021.

Learn more about Providence Portland Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Portland, OR
• Hospital network: 1 location
• Employees: 3,160

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Is regionally ranked number 2 in Oregon and number 2 in Portland, and is rated high-performing in 4 adult specialties and 16 procedures and conditions by the U.S. News & World Report. It has been awarded 4 out of 5 stars by the federal government. This hospital has also been named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for two consecutive years by Healthgrades.

Learn more about Providence St. Vincent Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Portland, OR
• Hospital network: 1 location
• Employees: 3,500

Salem Hospital

Salem Hospital is regionally ranked number 6 in Oregon and is rated high-performing in 1 adult specialty and 9 procedures and conditions by the U.S. News & World Report. The federal government has given it 3 out of 5 stars. This institution has been honored with the Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley People’s Choice Awards for Best Hospital, Local Surgery Center, and Most Innovative Workplace.

Learn more about Salem Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Salem, OR
• Hospital network: 2 locations
• Employees: 5,200

VA Portland Health Care System

The VA Portland Health Care System has received the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert W. Carey Performance Excellence Award and Trophy Award. It’s been awarded the California Award for Performance Excellence for two years. This hospital has been placed on the Healthcare Equality Index for eight consecutive years.

Learn more about VA Portland Health Care System:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Portland, OR
• Hospital network: 12 locations
  

What makes a best hospital in Oregon

Though their Magnet-status and accreditations already make them impressive places for employment, these hospitals in Oregon also offer valuable benefits, growth opportunities, and satisfaction to both their staff and patients.

Benefits

When seeking out new employment, nurses often question beyond the salary and look for other favorable benefits. These can include vacation time, sick leave, discounts, financial assistance for homebuyers, tuition assistance, wellness programs, and more.

Growth opportunity

One exciting aspect of nursing is the possibility for advancement and growth. While many begin their careers as an RN, the chance to pursue further education to become a nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or nurse practitioner is appealing due to a higher salary and additional responsibilities.

Employee satisfaction

Positive working environments tend to have higher employee satisfaction. This is important for nurses looking for new opportunities.

Employers that promote employee satisfaction create environments where, as a nurse, you are less likely to experience job fatigue or burnout. 

High patient satisfaction 

Patient satisfaction is often a reflection of employee satisfaction in hospitals. When there’s a great work environment and happy employees, patient satisfaction follows.

Other factors that make a top hospital 

There are other factors that make a hospital enticing for nurses, such as safety procedures, customer-centric practices, technological training, and ethics.

Safety record is critical

Safety records are vital for demonstrating a hospital’s commitment to safety standards and protocol. When health facilities require their nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals to carry out safety procedures, potential problems are more easily prevented.

Hospitals that focus on cleanliness are less likely to transmit further infection, and they’re setting a quality standard in the industry. These safety records demonstrate care and excellence, which are essential in hospital settings.

Hospital policies focus on customer services 

When hospitals value customer service, they are displaying their positive purpose. Hospitals that are more likely to promote patient satisfaction and rights are more sought after by potential employees.

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

Implementing and using new technologies in healthcare can be vital for staff and patients alike. Hospitals that train on new practices and software promote a higher standard for improved diagnoses and treatments.

When staff is continuously trained on new technology, there’s an improvement in emergency situations and patient care. The top hospitals in Oregon stay up-to-date on technological advancements and see them put into use. 

Ethics lead the way

Hospitals that rely on ethical practices to lead the way are more focused on positive outcomes for patients. When healthcare providers focus on guiding their profession through ethics, regardless of patient backgrounds, they create more valuable connections and management while delivering quality health services.

Next steps

As an experienced nurse or recent graduate, finding the right job at a top hospital in Oregon is meant to elevate both your skills and aspirations in your career.

However, it’s key to have the right strategies in place for the job search. Here are some tips and guides on how to land your dream job at one of Oregon’s top hospitals.

Build your resume

Personalizing your resume for the specific hospital and job you want will help to better set you apart from other candidates. Showcase your skills, knowledge, and accreditations and have solid references who can speak to your quality of work. These will ensure you stand out among the applicants.

Join a nurses association

Connecting and networking with other nurses can be quite simple with nurses associations. Check to see if your state has a nurses union that will allow you to gain access to connections and job opportunities. Consider the pros and cons of joining an association beforehand.

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Attend industry educational conferences and workshops. 

With the rapid advancement of the healthcare system, it’s important to continue learning relevant skills, technologies, and techniques. These will help you stand out to potential employers. 

Attending educational conferences and workshops in healthcare are beneficial for boosting your credentials, while also seeking out advice from other industry professionals.

Keep up with continuing education requirements

Not every state has the same education requirements, so it’s important to stay informed on these specifications. Incredible Health offers free CEU courses for many states, including Oregon, so sign up for a profile to access them.

Search for job openings

There are a variety of resources meant to guide nurses like you to job openings at the hospitals listed above or elsewhere in Oregon. This includes our platform.

Are you interested in learning more? Create your profile to have hospitals apply to you!

Transfer your nursing license to Oregon

If you’re coming from out of state to work in Oregon, you need to know your options. For example, arriving from a compact state to work in another compact state is a much easier process to transfer your license.

For noncompact states, however, there are additional requirements. Read our guide to find out more.

Sources

• “ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.” nursingworld.org. Accessed July 11, 2022.
• Glassdoor. glassdoor.com Accessed July 11, 2022.
• Medicare. medicare.gov Accessed July 11, 2022.
• Vizient Quality and Accountability Ranking newsroom.vizientinc.com Accessed July 11, 2022.
• Providence Ministries’ Recognition providence.org July 11, 2022.
• Salem Hospital Awards salemhealth.org July 11, 2022.
• VA Portland Health Care System Awards and Achievement va.gov Accessed July 11, 2022.