The Portland Travel Nurse Assignment Guide: Everything You Need Before You Arrive

The First Week Sets the Tone for the Whole Assignment

The first week of a travel nursing assignment is the hardest. You're orienting to a new hospital, learning new systems, meeting a new team, and doing it all while living out of a suitcase in a city you may have never visited. The quality of your housing during that first week — whether it's a real home or a hotel room — has a disproportionate effect on how the rest of the assignment goes.

This guide is designed to help you arrive prepared. It covers the major hospitals in the Portland/Vancouver area, what to look for in housing, what you actually need to bring, and what PreparedPads guests consistently say made their assignments better.

Portland's Major Hospitals: Locations and What to Know

OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) has two campuses: the main Marquam Hill campus in Southwest Portland and the South Waterfront campus along the Willamette River. The two are connected by aerial tram. OHSU is Oregon's only academic medical center and one of the top-ranked hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. Travel nurses assigned to OHSU typically find housing in South Waterfront, NW Portland, or the Pearl District for the shortest commutes.

Providence Portland Medical Center (4805 NE Glisan St) is a Magnet-designated hospital in Northeast Portland, recognized as one of the highest credentials for nursing facilities in the US. It's located in the Laurelhurst neighborhood and is most accessible from NE Portland neighborhoods including Irvington, Alameda, and the Lloyd District.

Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center (1015 NW 22nd Ave) is in NW Portland, within walking distance of the NW 23rd Avenue retail corridor. It's one of the most conveniently located hospitals in the city for guests staying in the Pearl District or NW Portland.

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center (2801 N Gantenbein Ave) is in North Portland, near the Mississippi Avenue neighborhood. It's a Level 1 trauma center and one of the busiest emergency departments in the region.

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center (400 NE Mother Joseph Pl, Vancouver, WA) is the primary hospital in Vancouver, WA. Travel nurses assigned here will find Vancouver neighborhoods — particularly Uptown Village and Fisher's Landing — offer the most convenient access.

What PreparedPads Guests Don't Need to Pack

One of the most common questions we get from incoming guests is: what do I need to bring? The answer for PreparedPads guests is almost nothing beyond your personal items and work clothes. Every PreparedPads home comes fully equipped with bed linens and towels (hotel-standard, freshly laundered), a fully stocked kitchen (cookware, dishes, utensils, coffee maker, and basic pantry staples), in-unit washer and dryer with detergent, high-speed dedicated internet, and all utilities included.

What you should bring: your scrubs and work gear, personal toiletries, any medications, and whatever makes a space feel like home to you. Everything else is already there.

If your assignment dates are confirmed, contact us at least 2–3 weeks before your start date. Spring and summer assignments in particular book out quickly, and we want to make sure we have the right home available for your specific hospital location and assignment length.