Oregon Facing Nurse Shortage by 2025

“Vacancy and turnover rates in key health sectors have all increased since 2004,” said Jana R. Bitton, OCN’s Executive Director. “If these trends continue, we are looking at a sizable gap in the number of nurses we have and the number of nurses we need by 2025.”

OCN conducted its research by contacting hospitals and health systems, skilled nursing facilities, home health and hospice agencies, and public health departments across Oregon, and asked about current and projected hiring needs for nurses. The report also contains nursing supply and demand projections based on the 2016 Nursing Health Workforce Model developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration, and adjusted using precise data on Oregon’s nursing workforce.

“A nursing shortage cannot be solved overnight,” Bitton said. “The information in this report will help employers, school and policy makers make strategic decisions today that can prevent a nursing shortage in the next decade.”

The full study, The Demand for Nursing Professionals in Oregon, is available to download on the Publications page of the OCN website.

OCN is a nonprofit organization created by nursing leaders in 2002. OCN facilitates research and collaboration for Oregon’s nursing workforce to support informed, well-prepared, diverse and exceptional nursing professionals. OCN fulfills its mission through nurse workforce research, building partnerships, and advocating for nursing and healthcare. For more information about OCN, please visit www.oregoncenterfornursing.org.