Incredible Health Staff

Imagine waking up each day knowing you live in one of the most beautiful areas in the country, just an hour away from mountains in one direction and the ocean in the other. Imagine knowing that you and the work that you do is valued by your employer and that your time away from the job is filled with endless choices of outdoor activities, art, amazing food, and a supportive community. If this sounds like the perfect setting for you and your career, then there’s no need to imagine. Eugene, Oregon offers registered nurses all of that and more.

Eugene, Oregon and Healthcare

With just over 170,000 residents, Eugene is far from a big city. It is the perfect combination of urban and suburban, a metropolitan area with all of the offerings of a metropolis but the feeling of a small-town community. The healthcare facilities in Eugene serve the population well: the hospitals in downtown Eugene and in neighboring Springfield include one that was ranked among Oregon’s best by U.S. News & World Report, and there are countless clinics, private practice offices, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, and specialty medical offices where registered nurses can find positions to suit their professional goals. Eugene is also home to many research institutions that employ healthcare professionals. 

Types of Nursing Jobs in Eugene

There are few areas in the United States that are not facing nursing shortages. The need for more professionals has been building for years, and though it was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent major study of the problem concluded that the bigger issue is the lack of nurses graduating from Oregon’s nursing problem, which is itself traced back to the lack of nursing programs and faculty in the state. To address the problem, the Oregon Longitudinal Data Collaborative (OLDC) has offered several recommendations, including establishing a centralized, statewide clinical placement system and addressing the pay gap between clinical nurse salaries and nurse educator salaries. For its part, the Oregon Nurses Association has proposed a law that would establish minimum nurse staffing levels for hospitals, limiting a registered nurse in an intensive care unit to one or two patients only, depending on their condition.

But these are long-term solutions to an immediate problem. With only 17 registered nursing associate degree programs offered in Oregon and only two graduate nursing programs, Eugene’s healthcare employers from hospitals to private practices are eager to speak to nursing professionals who are interested in relocating to the city.  Below you’ll find our list of some of the top places for registered nurses to work in Eugene.

Peace Health

PeaceHealth is a Washington-state-based not-for-profit health system with facilities throughout the state of Oregon, as well as in Alaska and Washington. The organization has won numerous recognitions, including being one of the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America and the No.2 Healthiest Employer in Oregon. The PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend is the largest hospital between Portland and San Francisco and was named one of the top hospitals in Oregon by U.S. News & World Report. Located a few miles from downtown Eugene in Springfield, the site was built in 2008, joining the nearly 100-year-old PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District, which converted to a specialty services hospital when general services moved to the newer facility. 

Registered nurses working at PeaceHealth in Oregon enjoy working for an employer that is committed to inclusivity, that respects diversity, and that is fully committed to supporting them physically, emotionally, financially, socially, and spiritually. Compensation is both competitive and comprehensive, and for full time employees includes full medical, dental, and vision coverage, 403b retirement plans with an employer base and matching contributions, paid time off, employer-paid life and disability insurance with additional buyup coverage options, tuition and continuing education reimbursement, wellness benefits, and access to an expanded EAP and mental health program. Hiring bonuses and relocation assistance are often available. 

Oregon Medical Group

Oregon Medical Group is a growing, multi-specialty practice encompassing over 100 providers at multiple clinics located within the Eugene/Springfield metropolitan area. The organization is part of Optum and the UnitedHealth Group. It offers more than 20 specialty services and its physicians provide primary care to nearly one in three people in the Lane County area.

Registered nurses and other healthcare professionals working for the Oregon Medical Group rank it as one of the best places to work in Oregon. The practice values work-life balance and supports its employees with competitive, market-based compensation, benefits, and recognition programs including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, Health Savings Accounts, wellness programs and incentives, short- and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, and paid time off. Many registered nurse positions offer sign-on bonuses.

Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center

The Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center is an independent, physician-led practice delivering leading-edge technology and treatment options and conducting innovative cancer research. It is Oregon’s largest cancer care and research center and a part of the U.S. Oncology network. 

Registered nurses working for the organization of knowing they are making a significant difference for patients as they progress through the cancer care continuum, and are rewarded with competitive benefits, including a healthcare program that offers plan options to support each individual’s overall well-being; the Healthy Choices Wellness Program to encourage healthier lifestyles for nurses and their families; a Perks Program that provides access to discounted rates on auto, home, legal, and pet insurance through national providers; and a 401(k) retirement plan savings program. The organization also offers nurses sign-on bonuses for joining their team.

Living in Eugene provides access to incredible outdoor activities, natural beauty, a fabulous craft beer and cultural scene, and one of the country’s most renowned wine regions. Add in the limitless professional opportunities available at Eugene’s top-level healthcare facilities and registered nurses could not ask for a better place to be. For more information on living and working in Eugene, Oregon, start by visiting Incredible Health’s nursing job search page. 

Breathtakingly beautiful with fantastic outdoor activities and a robust arts scene, Eugene, Oregon is a sensational place for registered nurses to call home. With fewer than 200,000 residents, Eugene is home to several top-quality hospitals offering nursing professionals excellent career opportunities along with a work-life balance that frees them to enjoy all that the city has to offer. 

Eugene combination the benefits of urban and suburban living. Situated on the beautiful Willamette River and a short distance from both Portland and the Oregon Coast, it has made its name as home to the University of Oregon (and its famed Oregon Ducks) and the birthplace of Nike. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Eugene’s proximity to the Cascade Mountains while those who are more culturally inclined will relish the thriving local arts community and concert scene. The city’s schools are rated above average, the culinary experiences are stellar, and the community is warm and inviting. It’s no wonder that U.S. News & World Report ranked Eugene among the top 150 Best Places to Live in the United States, and 25^th Best Place to Retire.

For nurses, working and living in Eugene offers the best of all possible worlds. The hospitals offer state-of-the-art care and are constantly investing in improving their infrastructure and service, while in the city has long been known nationally for its scientific research, particularly in the area of human behavior. There is a strong history of partnership and collaboration between the healthcare community and local educational and wellness organizations, and that has led to important programming and outreach to those in need.  

Nurses can find a position to suit their skills, interests, and experience at any of the city’s hospitals, as well as many skilled nursing facilities, home care agencies, and hospice services, as well as countless medical clinics, private practices, and others. For an outstanding combination of career satisfaction and quality of life, Eugene, Oregon is a top choice.

1. Eugene, Oregon is Home to Top Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities

The Eugene/Springfield metropolitan area represents the third largest population in the entire state of Oregon, and residents are well served by top-quality hospitals. Just five minutes from downtown Eugene, the PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend was ranked one of the top hospitals in the state by U.S. News & World Report, and the health system’s University District hospital offers specialty services, an emergency department, the Oregon Rehabilitation Center, and behavioral health services. The area is also home to medical groups, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, as well as a robust research community.

2. Eugene is a Haven for Nature Lovers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Though Eugene is very much a city, its geographic position has made it a nature lover’s dream. Halfway between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean and at the southern end of the Willamette Valley near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy everything from massive waterfalls to pristine beaches, old growth forests to valley meadows. All are no more than an hour’s drive away, and many can be found right in residents’ backyards. 

Eugene is a mecca for hikers, cyclists, rock climbers, and rafters — one of the most popular aspects of the city is the 12-mile bike trail known as the Ruth Bascomb Riverbank Path that connects Eugene to nearby Springfield, Oregon. And don’t forget that Eugene is where legendary Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman first introduced jogging to America. For those who enjoy more sedate activities outdoors, a stroll through Eugene’s oldest city park, Hendricks Park, or the Owen Rose Garden with its 4,500 different varieties of roses, are both city highlights. 

Whether you enjoy snow sports or a day at the beach, you’ll find something to keep you busy and happy. 

3. Eugene Offers Nurses Plenty to Cheer For

You probably know that Eugene is where the University of Oregon is located, but did you know that Hayward Field, the school’s track and field stadium, is both home to numerous world championship track events and the birthplace of the iconic sports brand Nike? In the 1960s, legendary Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman teamed up with one of his athletes, Phil Knight, to sell shoes with rubber soles that Bowerman crafted using his wife’s waffle iron. The rest is history, and today the field is iconic and the town is known as TrackTown U.S.A. Eugene is also home to Autzen Stadium where the top-rated Oregon Ducks play football, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts where you can enjoy opera, symphony, ballet, and choir performances, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Eugene’s commitment to the arts is such an integral part of its identity that it created a movement called Percent for Art Ordinance, which mandates that local government make contributions in support of artists.

4. Economic Advantages of Living in Eugene, Oregon

When it comes to economic considerations, Eugene offers nurses a mixed bag. One of the top advantages of living in Oregon is the fact that it is one of just five states in the country that does not charge sales tax. Not only can you purchase anything in a store without incurring tax, you can also have things mailed to you from outside of the state with no tax impact. Another economic advantage to living in Oregon is that the state does not tax Social Security benefits. While this saves a significant amount of money, that advantage may be offset by the state’s higher-than-average income tax and inflating housing costs. 

Job opportunities abound in Eugene. The city’s largest employer is Peace Health Corporation, which employs over 5,000 employees, and the University of Oregon runs a close second. The area is also an innovation hub: Lane County is home to over 501 tech companies, with 73 successful new ones launched in the last several years.

5. Eugene, Oregon Offers Registered Nurses a Superior Quality of Life 

A recent survey of Eugene residents reflected a remarkably high level of satisfaction with their home town: more than 62% said it’s an excellent place to live and more than half said it’s a place where they can thrive. That’s no surprise considering all that the city has to offer. Families with children from kindergarten to twelfth grade will appreciate the public schools, which are rated above average and boast low student-teacher ratios, and those with older children will be thrilled with the proximity to one of the best state schools in the country.  Food connoisseurs will enjoy the restaurant scene, as well as the fruits of the craft breweries and local wineries. 

From the natural beauty that surrounds the city to access to some of the best wine regions in the country, from incredible cycling to a climate that scores a 9.2 out of 10 for summer comfort on BestPlaces.com’s scale, Eugene is a pleasant place to live and a great place for nurses to work. To get started on finding the right opportunity for you, visit Incredible Health’s website and job search platform, where top employers are waiting for you to log on so that they can reach out to you.