Eugene is a Hot Spot for Registered Nurses
Eugene, Oregon Is a 2025 Hot Spot for Registered Nurses
Imagine starting your day in a city surrounded by mountains, forests, and rivers — with the coast just over an hour away. Now picture that same place offering competitive pay, flexible roles, and employers that actually invest in your well-being. In 2025, Eugene, Oregon, offers registered nurses that rare mix of natural beauty, community, and career opportunity.
Whether you're hiking Spencer Butte, grabbing coffee downtown, or caring for patients at one of the region’s top-rated health systems, Eugene gives nurses a place to grow professionally and live meaningfully.
🏙️ Why Eugene?
With a population of just over 175,000, Eugene blends urban healthcare infrastructure with a small-town feel. It’s home to highly-rated hospitals, research-driven clinics, and one of the top cancer treatment centers in the Pacific Northwest. Healthcare employers across the metro are actively recruiting — especially as Oregon continues to face a nursing shortage intensified by faculty bottlenecks and underfunded education pipelines.
Despite statewide efforts to build more RN training capacity, Eugene's systems need talent now. That urgency has translated into strong compensation, relocation support, and sign-on bonuses for permanent nursing hires.
🏥 Top RN Employers in Eugene (2025)
PeaceHealth
PeaceHealth RiverBend, just minutes from downtown Eugene in Springfield, is the largest hospital between Portland and San Francisco. This nonprofit health system operates facilities across Oregon, Washington, and Alaska and has been recognized as one of the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America.
RNs at PeaceHealth benefit from:
- Competitive wages and full health insurance
- 403(b) retirement with employer contributions
- Paid time off and employer-funded life/disability insurance
- Tuition reimbursement and career development funds
- Mental health benefits and enhanced EAP
- Regular sign-on bonuses and relocation assistance
PeaceHealth also prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and long-term support — values that matter deeply to today’s nursing workforce.
Oregon Medical Group (Part of Optum)
As part of UnitedHealth Group’s nationwide network, Oregon Medical Group offers nurses a chance to work in a multidisciplinary, tech-enabled practice serving nearly a third of Lane County residents.
With 20+ specialties and more than 100 providers, nurses enjoy:
- Competitive base pay with frequent sign-on incentives
- Health, dental, and vision plans
- 401(k) and Health Savings Accounts
- Tuition reimbursement
- Paid time off and wellness stipends
Nurses here highlight work-life balance and collaborative leadership as key reasons for staying.
Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center
WVCI, Oregon’s largest independent cancer research and treatment center, is part of the U.S. Oncology Network. Known for leading-edge technology and clinical trials, it’s one of the most innovative RN workplaces in the region.
Perks for RNs include:
- A customizable healthcare benefits package
- Healthy Choices Wellness Program for families
- Discounts on auto, pet, legal, and home insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Sign-on bonuses and pathways into clinical research
If you’re looking to blend bedside care with breakthrough science, WVCI is unmatched in Lane County.
🌲 Living in Eugene
Life outside of work is where Eugene really shines. From kayaking the Willamette River to sipping pinot noir in nearby wine country, Eugene offers outdoor adventure, culture, and calm — all without big-city chaos.
- Hike year-round within city limits
- Explore a thriving craft beer, food, and arts scene
- Enjoy short commutes and affordable living (compared to Portland or Seattle)
- Join a tight-knit community of healthcare professionals
🧠 Goodwork Insight
In 2025, Eugene isn't just a nice place to live. It's a strategic choice for nurses who want top-tier benefits, better ratios, and real support. And with thousands of roles live now on Goodwork, you can find RN jobs that actually match your goals — not just your license.