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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.