Travel Nursing in the Pacific Northwest

My first travel nurse contract in the Pacific Northwest brought me to Portland, Oregon. Initially, I was a little hesitant to leave California because nursing in California is awesome! Fortunately, I was just as pleased with the PNW, and it turned out to be one of my favorite contracts so far.

Let’s dive in and find out why you should really consider taking a travel contract in the Pacific Northwest.

Why Chose to Travel Nurse in the Pacific Northwest?

Similar to California, Washington and Oregon both offer higher pay rates than most other states in the US. Many of the hospitals are unionized which also leads to limits on nurse-patient ratios as well as required meal/rest breaks for staff. Finally, the Pacific Northwest has a lot to offer for your days off (especially if you love the outdoors).

Better Pay

While travel nurse pay in Washington and Oregon are typically not as high as California or New York, travel nurses in the PNW earn more on average than most other states.

Keep in mind that contract prices do vary. Your best bet to find the best pay is to be open to a wide variety of locations. In addition, cost of living should always be considered when evaluating pay. If you want to compare contracts across multiple states, jump over to this travel nurse calculator.

Better Ratios

Oregon has recently implemented a new nurse-patient ratio law (though the law itself doesn’t appear to be as specific as California’s laws). Washington does not have a nurse-patient ratio law (as of the time this post is created). Both states, however, typically adhere to reasonable ratios. This is likely due to the strength of their unions. This can be hospital specific, so do your pre-contract research before accepting an assignment. I actually had the best ratios I’ve ever worked under during my Portland contract (3-1 in the ER).

Breaks

Meal breaks and rest breaks in Oregon and Washington are also usually enforced by the unions. I consistently got all of my breaks during my Portland contract. These breaks were always covered by a break nurse that did not have more than 1 assignment to cover at a time. From what I’ve heard from other PNW nurses, this is common practice.

Amazing Days Off

I loved the working conditions I experienced in the PNW. One thing that tops the working conditions for me, things to do on my days off work! The PNW is an outdoor enthusiasts dream location. From beautiful coastline, to epic volcanic mountains and lush green forests- the Pacific Northwest is full of beauty and adventure.

If you’re interested in checking out some of best things to do in the PNW, check out these posts:

• Day Trips from Portland, Oregon
• Oregon Roadtrip
• Oregon’s Northern Coast
• The Columbia River Gorge
• Crater Lake National Park
• Mount Rainier National Park
• Olympic National Park

Getting Your Washington or Oregon Nursing Licenses

Washington is now a compact state – part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). If you already have a compact nursing license from your home state, you’re golden. Oregon is not compact, so you will need to apply for licensure by endorsement.

Getting Your Washington State Nursing License

If you do not have a compact license from your home state, you will need to apply for a Washington license by endorsement as well. You can usually get your license within 7 days because Washington issues a temporary license while the permanent license processes. Of course this time line could always be delayed in special circumstances. For example, if something were to flag a need for further investigation on your background check.

A Washington license by endorsement costs $138, and it needs to be renewed annually to keep it active. Renewal also costs $138. Here is a link to the Washington license fee tables as these fees can change over time.

Getting Your Oregon State Nursing License

Oregon takes roughly 3-6 weeks to get licensed by endorsement, and it costs around $200. Your travel nurse agency should be able to help you with licensure. License renewal is required every 2 years (if you want to keep your license active), and costs $158 (with fees added).

Is Travel Nursing in the Pacific Northwest Worth It?

For me, travel nursing in the PNW was a no brainer. As with everything in travel nursing, my circumstances may be different than yours. Here is what you should consider:

• Is the Pacific Northwest region somewhere you are interested in? Maybe you love nature or want to explore Portland or Seattle?
• How much will licensing cost you? Do you already have a compact license? Will your agency cover the costs of licensure and renewals?
• Are contracts available that fit your pay needs? If so, how do the hospital and assignment details look to you?