I'm looking forward to moving to Oregon

[Peak_Oil]

Hopefully, I'll get into a nursing school somewhere in Oregon. If I don't I'll have to finish out in SoCal.

My visit to Portland was great. The people there were fun, the nature was beautiful... this is going to be great. Hello, Oregon!

[WindRavenX]

1. Oregon is ok

I live in Eugene when I'm not in school. I hope you can deal with the rain!

[Peak_Oil]

4. Shit, I grew up in Chicago

Rain I can handle. No big deal. I know what it's like to not see the sun for six months at a time.

It's a drag for sure. But... everybody I met in Portland was cool. Very nice people, and I like Powell's.

Is there a good symphony in Portland?

[0rganism]

6. Oregon Symphony...

...sometimes has James DePriest as a conductor, which is pretty cool. DePriest has a solid Russian repertoire, which means some awesome soloists pass through for the Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky whenever it happens. And they're not afraid to feature modern, postmodern and local composers, either. They do too much "pop" stuff for my personal taste, but I'm sure it helps pay the bills.

http://www.orsymphony.org/

The real gem, IMHO, is the "Chamber Music Northwest" organization, which has regional and touring musicial ensembles giving some outstanding performances in a variety of informal settings around Portland. Sometimes you can attend their rehearsals for free.

http://www.cmnw.org/

[Peak_Oil]

7. Bitchin.

This is good news. I'm gonna be right at home.

[HuckleB]

15. It's probably the best symphony in the country for a city this size.

DePriest is wonderful, and he built the symphony into a treasure, but the new conductor has taken the symphony to places it never went before. The subtlety and beauty produced by Carlos Kalmar's work has never before been known in this part of the country. We are very lucky to have gotten such an incredible replacement for DePriest. I would have never thought that we could actually get someone who would make things even better.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Chamber Music Northwest!

I miss that, although we have plenty of music in Minneapolis, of course.

Imagine a summer camp for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and about a dozen of their friends.

[cyr330]

2. I live in San Francisco

But I worked as an RN in CVICU at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) in Portland in 2002. I LOVE Portland, and OHSU is a great place to go to school. I think they have a nursing school, and there are tons of jobs in Portland. Good luck!

[Peak_Oil]

8. If I can get in there, I'll go.

Santa Monica RN school is my best bet right now, but if I can go to RN school in Portland I'm in. Lower cost of living, better environment, etc.

[HuckleB]

16. Yes, OHSU has one of the top five nursing schools in the nation.

[Gyre]

3. Portland is a nice city

And there are some really beautiful parts. Oregonians are an interesting crew.

Gyre

[Red_Viking]

5. I moved from Texas to Salem over the summer

I'm attending law school at Willamette. My boyfriend is, too. We moved up here together and brought along my 13-year-old daughter.

Oregon is spectacular. We've enjoyed it immensely. The people are great and the scenery...wow! What's not to like?

Salem is a smaller town than I'm used to, which is OK in some respects, but I really like Portland. If I don't end up going overseas (not kidding; I plan to study International Law and get my daughter the hell out of here) I'd like to live in Portland. What a wonderful city.

Hope you like it! Good luck with school. Nurses have my utmost respect. What a noble profession. Thanks for what you do.

RV

[grasswire]

18. Salem...

...does have a cute ol' downtown though, don't you think? And some of the shops are very sweet, such as Ma Valise. I've been in the area for six years, soon to return to Portland.

[depakid]

9. There are actually several nursing programs

It more or less depends on what you want to do, how your grades are and what the admission procedures require.

Obvously, OHSU is the top academic program, but University of Portland and Linfield are also fine and with the chonic nursing shortage here and elsewhere, even community college programs are advantageous even compared with most traditional BS or BA programs at the undergraduate level.

[Peak_Oil]

10. It's really competitive to get into an RN program

anywhere in the country. None of the programs I've checked with take any more than the top 20% of applicants, and the good ones only take the top 10%.

I never knew it would be this tough to get in. Luckily enough, the Santa Monica program takes everybody and waitlists applicants until a spot opens up. Right now it's a three semester wait, but I'll take it.

Meantime, I'll be driving a limo and taking my prerequisites. Part of the reason for the backlog is that the programs have to work with hospitals that have only so much in terms of resources. Most of the programs can only take 30-40 students at a time. It's not like you can just tack another classroom on and run another group through.

If I can get into the University of Portland that's my first choice. But, I'm not counting on it. I'll take Santa Monica and try to transfer up to OR ASAP.

[classof56]

11. When you are settled in Portland, make it a point to head east often

I like Portland, lived in Salem for many years, and in fact have lived in several other areas throughout the state. But Central Oregon, where I am now, is absolutely fantastic. The scenery is spectacular, there are endless outdoor activities (if you like that sorta thing), it doesn't rain that much (though I never really minded the "valley mist" when I lived there), and the traffic is minimal. The high desert area east of here is quite amazing, too. Vast and peaceful--all in all, this is a great place to "get away". I know nursing school will keep you more than busy, but when you have a spare weekend or two, turn your sights eastward. You'll like it over here!

Welcome to Oregon. Best state in the union, IMHO. No sales tax, you don't have to pump your own gas, and we're BLUE!!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

12. Welcome, from N Portland.....

And yes we ARE a strange group, very laid back and diverse. ;-)

[Farmgirl]

20. Hello classof56

We're also in Central Oregon -- moved here about 10-years ago from SE Pennsylvania. Nice to know there are other Central Oregonians that do-o the DU. Nice to meet you.

[HuckleB]

17. Send me a PM when you get ready to apply.

I had some wonderful advice when I applied to OHSU (I'm an alum, and am now a Nurse Practitioner), especially in regard to the essay, which the school really does pay attention to. Anyway, I'd be glad to share some tips or just answer any questions you may have.

[stevedeshazer]

13. SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Be quiet....

Tell your friends the truth.

1. It rains here all the time.

2. It rains here all the time.

3. There are still a lot of Republicans here.

4. It rains here all the time.

[LWolf]

19. So am I.

I'm getting more excited every day.

I have an overwhelming number of things to accomplish in the next 6 months to make the move successful, but I'm feeling more energized and optimistic all the time.

Hopefully, I'll get the job I'm working on, and everything else will fall in line.

:hi:

[PDX Bara]

21. Me Too!

Except for me, it's going home. Berkeley CA isn't exactly "exile;" have been here for 15 years earning myself a good retirement. My nine year old niece said it was time for Auntie to "come home." Auntie is obeying.