Travel ICU Nurse Jobs in Oregon
OHSU Level I Trauma & Academic ICU · 0% State Income Tax · NLC Compact
Oregon pairs zero state income tax with NLC Compact membership — two of the biggest financial and logistical wins in travel nursing. Portland is a Pacific Northwest healthcare hub anchored by OHSU, Legacy Emanuel's burn center, and a dense Providence and Legacy Health network. Rural Oregon (Medford, Bend, Pendleton) adds shortage-area premiums on top.
0% Oregon Income Tax
Oregon levies zero state income tax. Combined with the NLC compact license and Portland GSA stipend (~$2,200/mo), Oregon ICU contracts deliver strong net income.
NLC Compact — No Wait, No Extra Application
Oregon IS a compact state. If your primary state of residence is NLC, you can start an Oregon assignment without applying for an Oregon license — immediate start, no delays.
OHSU — Oregon's Academic ICU Hub
Oregon Health & Science University is the state's only Level I adult trauma center and academic medical center, with dedicated MICU, CVICU, NSICU, SICU, and PICU units.
Live Oregon Travel ICU Nurse Jobs
Updated every 4 hoursNew Oregon ICU openings are posted daily.
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Submit Your ProfileOregon Travel ICU Pay by Specialty (2025)
| ICU Specialty | Weekly Package | Key Oregon Facilities | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICU (Medical ICU) | $2,800 – $3,300 | OHSU, Providence Portland, Legacy Good Samaritan | BLS, ACLS, CCRN preferred |
| CVICU (Cardiac Surgery) | $3,000 – $3,600 | OHSU Cardiac Surgery, Providence Heart | BLS, ACLS, cardiac surgery ICU exp, IABP/LVAD preferred |
| NSICU / Neuro ICU | $2,900 – $3,400 | OHSU, Providence Brain & Spine Institute | BLS, ACLS, NIH Stroke Scale, neuro ICU exp |
| Trauma / SICU | $3,000 – $3,600 | OHSU (Level I), Legacy Emanuel (Level I) | BLS, ACLS, TNCC, CCRN preferred, 2+ yrs trauma ICU |
| Burn ICU | $3,000 – $3,500 | Legacy Emanuel Medical Center (Burn Center) | BLS, ACLS, burn nursing experience required |
| PICU (Pediatric ICU) | $3,000 – $3,600 | Doernbecher Children's Hospital (OHSU) | BLS, PALS, CCRN-Peds, peds ICU exp required |
| Rural Oregon ICU (Shortage Areas) | $3,100 – $3,800 | Asante Rogue Regional (Medford), St. Charles (Bend), EOHCC | BLS, ACLS; flexible on CCRN for rural shortage premium |
Top Oregon ICU Facilities for Travel Nurses
OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) — Portland
Level I Trauma- Oregon's only academic medical center and Level I adult trauma center
- Dedicated MICU, CVICU, NSICU, SICU units — each with fellowship-trained intensivists
- Doernbecher Children's Hospital PICU (Level I pediatric trauma, Oregon's only)
- OHSU Knight Cancer Institute — complex oncology ICU cases
- Cardiac surgery program: OHSU CVICU is the state's premier cardiac ICU
- Travel ICU nurses at OHSU work the highest-acuity cases in Oregon
- Academic teaching environment: fellows, residents, NPs alongside travel staff
Legacy Emanuel Medical Center — Portland
Level I Trauma + Burn- Oregon's second Level I adult trauma center — Portland metro region
- Emanuel Burn Center: one of the Pacific Northwest's premier burn ICU programs
- Trauma ICU (SICU/TICU) handles high-volume outdoor recreation and motor vehicle injuries
- High wildfire-season surge in burn and smoke inhalation ICU admissions
- Strong travel ICU nurse demand especially during trauma and wildfire seasons
- Level II NICU and maternity tower on campus
- Part of Legacy Health — 7-hospital Portland metro network = broader placement options
Providence Health — Portland & Statewide
Level II Trauma- Providence Portland Medical Center: Level II trauma, Providence Brain & Spine Institute (NSICU hub)
- Providence St. Vincent: Level II trauma + large cardiac ICU (CVICU)
- Providence Medford: serves southern Oregon and northern California border region
- Providence Heart Institute: structural heart, valve, TAVR — strong CVICU demand
- Largest health system in Oregon by total beds
- Providence system spans OR, WA, CA — easier multi-state travel rotations
- Travel ICU nurses at Providence benefit from system-wide float assignments
PeaceHealth Sacred Heart — Eugene
Level II Trauma- Largest hospital in the Willamette Valley south of Portland
- Level II trauma center serving Lane County and surrounding rural Oregon
- PeaceHealth RiverBend (Springfield campus): primary ICU hub for Eugene-Springfield metro
- Neuroscience program: NSICU with stroke and neurocritical care specialization
- University of Oregon proximity = young-adult trauma and outdoor recreation injuries
- Shortage-area premium for ICU travel nurses in Eugene compared to Portland
- PeaceHealth system spans OR, WA, AK — multi-state travel opportunities
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center — Medford
Level II Trauma- Southern Oregon's major regional medical center and Level II trauma hub
- Serves Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, and rural Jackson/Josephine counties
- ICU at Rogue Regional handles high-acuity trauma from outdoor recreation (Rogue River, Crater Lake)
- Wildfire smoke-related ARDS/respiratory ICU surge every fire season
- Rural Oregon designation = remote stipend benefit + shortage-area pay premium
- Asante Three Rivers (Grants Pass): rural community ICU — high demand, strong pay
- Competitive ICU pay for southern OR: shortage premium over Portland-area base rates
St. Charles Health System — Bend (Central Oregon)
Level II Trauma- Bend is one of Oregon's fastest-growing cities — ICU demand rising steadily
- St. Charles Bend: Level II trauma, the only trauma center in central Oregon
- High outdoor recreation injury ICU volume: skiing, mountain biking, rafting, climbing
- Central Oregon ski season (Mt. Bachelor) drives winter trauma and ICU surge
- Rural/shortage designation for Bend and Redmond campuses = premium rates
- Cost of living lower than Portland; Bend quality of life = top travel nurse destination
- St. Charles Redmond: community ICU with high travel nurse utilization
Why Oregon ICU Travel Nurse Demand Is Growing
Outdoor Recreation Injuries
Oregon's skiing (Mt. Hood, Mt. Bachelor), whitewater rafting (Rogue, Deschutes, Owyhee), rock climbing, and mountain biking generate a disproportionate trauma ICU census — especially October through April during ski season and summer raft season.
Wildfire Season ICU Surge
Oregon's annual wildfire season (July–October) creates ARDS, smoke inhalation, and burn ICU surges at Legacy Emanuel, Asante Rogue Regional, and St. Charles Bend. Wildfire-season ICU travel contracts command premium pay and are increasingly common statewide.
Aging Population + Rural Shortage
Oregon's population is aging rapidly, particularly in rural areas (eastern Oregon, southern Oregon). Rural hospitals carry HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area) designations for critical care, driving higher pay rates and federal loan-forgiveness incentives for travel nurses who qualify.
OHSU Academic Volume
As Oregon's only NCI-designated cancer center, academic medical center, and Level I trauma center, OHSU draws complex cases from across the Pacific Northwest. The resulting ICU volume and case complexity keeps travel ICU nurse demand consistently high.
Portland Metro Healthcare Density
Portland has two Level I trauma centers (OHSU + Legacy Emanuel), seven Legacy Health hospitals, multiple Providence campuses, and PeaceHealth — all within commuting distance. Travel ICU nurses in Portland have rare access to multiple facility types and ICU specialties within one metro area.
Strong Net Pay Math
Oregon's 0% income tax + NLC compact license + ~$2,200/mo GSA stipend + shortage-area pay create compelling total compensation. Travel ICU nurses in rural Oregon often net more take-home income than comparable California ICU contracts after state taxes.
Oregon vs California vs Washington — Travel ICU Nurse Comparison
| Factor | 🌲 Oregon | ☀️ California | 🌊 Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak ICU Weekly Pay | $2,800–$3,600 | $4,500–$5,500 | $3,800–$4,800 |
| State Income Tax | 0% | 1%–13.3% | 0% |
| NLC Compact | YES — work immediately | No — CA license req | No — WA license req |
| License Processing Wait | None (if compact) | 8–16 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Portland GSA Housing Stipend | ~$2,200/mo | ~$3,000–$4,500/mo | ~$2,600–$3,400/mo |
| Level I Trauma Centers | 2 (OHSU + Legacy Emanuel) | 16+ | 2 (Harborview + UW) |
| Rural Shortage-Area Premiums | Yes — eastern/southern OR | Limited | Yes — eastern WA |
| Compact + 0% Tax Combo | YES — unique advantage | No | Only 0% tax (non-compact) |
| Cost of Living (main metro) | Moderate (Portland) | Very High | High (Seattle) |
Oregon's unique advantage: the only western state combining NLC Compact membership AND 0% state income tax.
Oregon ICU Travel Nurse Jobs by Region
Portland Metro (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas Counties)
OHSU, Legacy Emanuel, Legacy Good Samaritan, Providence Portland & St. Vincent, PeaceHealth Southwest
- Highest density of ICU contracts in Oregon
- Two Level I trauma centers within 5 miles of each other
- MICU, CVICU, NSICU, SICU, Burn ICU, PICU all available
- Portland GSA lodging stipend ~$2,200/mo
- 13-week standard contracts; some 8-week crisis/rapid response
Salem (Marion & Polk Counties)
Salem Health — Salem Hospital (Level II trauma)
- Salem Health is Oregon's largest community health system
- Salem Hospital: Level II trauma, dedicated ICU, CVICU
- 45 minutes south of Portland — option to stay in Portland and commute
- Mid-Willamette Valley shortage area — premium rates over Portland
- Salem GSA lodging stipend competitive with Portland
Eugene / Springfield (Lane County)
PeaceHealth Sacred Heart RiverBend, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center
- Willamette Valley's second major ICU market
- PeaceHealth RiverBend: Level II trauma + NSICU + CVICU
- University of Oregon proximity: young-adult trauma surge
- Shortage-area designation for travel nurses in Lane County
- Eugene-area cost of living lower than Portland
Bend / Central Oregon (Deschutes County)
St. Charles Bend (Level II), St. Charles Redmond
- Fastest-growing city in Oregon — ICU demand rising year over year
- Ski-season trauma ICU surge (Mt. Bachelor, Hoodoo)
- Rural shortage designation = premium rates + remote stipend
- High quality of life for travel nurses: outdoor recreation, low crime
- St. Charles: only Level II trauma in central Oregon
Medford / Southern Oregon (Jackson County)
Asante Rogue Regional, Asante Three Rivers (Grants Pass), Providence Medford
- Southern Oregon's largest ICU market
- Wildfire season ARDS and burn ICU surge (July–October)
- Rogue River outdoor recreation trauma
- Shortage-area pay: typically $200–$400/wk above Portland rates
- Medford-Ashland area: excellent outdoor recreation and culture
Eastern Oregon (Baker, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Wallowa Counties)
Eastern Oregon Medical Associates, St. Alphonsus Ontario, Grande Ronde Hospital (La Grande)
- Frontier and rural Oregon — critical nursing shortage area
- Pendleton, La Grande, Ontario: small community ICUs with highest shortage premiums
- Some eastern OR facilities offer full remote stipends on top of crisis rates
- Lower acuity vs Portland but highest net income potential in Oregon
- Wide open landscapes — ideal for travel nurses seeking unique Pacific NW experiences
Oregon Travel ICU Nurse — Frequently Asked Questions
Q.How much do travel ICU nurses make in Oregon?
Travel ICU nurses in Oregon earn $2,800–$3,600/week in total package. OHSU cardiac surgery ICU (CVICU) and trauma ICU at Legacy Emanuel command the top rates. Rural Oregon shortage areas (Medford, Bend, eastern Oregon) pay $200–$500/week above Portland base rates. Oregon's 0% state income tax significantly boosts net take-home — a $3,200/week Oregon package beats many $3,800/week California packages after CA income tax.
Q.Is Oregon an NLC Compact state for nurses?
Yes — Oregon IS a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Travel nurses who hold a compact license from their primary state of residence can legally practice in Oregon immediately, with no separate Oregon license application required. This is one of Oregon's biggest advantages for travel ICU nurses: zero licensing wait time, no application fees, and an immediate start date.
Q.What ICU specialties are available for travel nurses in Oregon?
Oregon offers all major ICU specialties. MICU (Medical ICU) positions are the most available across Portland, Salem, Eugene, and rural Oregon. CVICU openings are concentrated at OHSU and Providence Heart Institute. NSICU positions are available at OHSU and Providence Brain & Spine Institute. Trauma/SICU is available at OHSU and Legacy Emanuel (both Level I trauma). Burn ICU is at Legacy Emanuel's regional burn center. PICU positions are at Doernbecher Children's Hospital (OHSU). Rural Oregon ICU is available at St. Charles Bend, Asante Medford, and eastern Oregon facilities.
Q.What certifications do I need to travel ICU nurse in Oregon?
Standard requirements: Oregon RN license (or compact license if your primary state is NLC), BLS (AHA), ACLS (AHA). OHSU CVICU and trauma ICU prefer CCRN certification and require 2+ years ICU experience at Level II or higher. NSICU positions often require NIH Stroke Scale certification and neuro-specific experience. Legacy Emanuel burn ICU requires documented burn nursing experience. Rural Oregon ICU facilities typically waive CCRN requirements for shortage-area positions.
Q.What is the housing stipend for travel ICU nurses in Portland, Oregon?
The Portland, Oregon GSA per diem for lodging is approximately $2,200/month (2025 rate). This is paid tax-free as part of your travel nurse contract, on top of your taxable hourly wage. When combined with Oregon's 0% state income tax and NLC compact license (no licensing fees), Portland ICU contracts deliver strong total compensation relative to comparable contracts in California or New York.
Q.What makes Oregon unique for travel ICU nurses compared to other Pacific Northwest states?
Oregon is the only western state that combines both NLC Compact membership AND 0% state income tax — a dual advantage no other major Pacific Northwest state offers. Washington has 0% income tax but is NOT compact (WA license required, 4–8 week wait). California has neither compact membership nor tax advantage. Oregon travel ICU nurses can start immediately with a compact license, keep 100% of taxable pay, and benefit from shortage-area premiums in rural areas — making Oregon one of the best net-income states for travel ICU nursing in the western US.
Oregon ICU — NLC Compact + 0% Tax = Maximum Take-Home
CatSol places travel ICU nurses at OHSU, Legacy Emanuel, Providence, PeaceHealth, Asante, St. Charles Bend, and rural Oregon facilities — with full licensing and housing support.