At PeaceHealth, our caregivers have the tools to heal, the strength to love and the spirit that makes a difference. In keeping with this commitment, the Oregon Institute for Nursing Excellence empowers our nurses at every stage of their careers.
With support from the institute, PeaceHealth’s nurses become leaders and innovators, influencing the art and science of nursing in our region and beyond.
Established in 2022 thanks to generous donors in our community and PeaceHealth’s foundations, the institute helps nurses thrive personally and professionally. We offer tools and resources our nurses can count on — so our patients can always count on our nurses.
“It's so important that we support our registered nurses in being able to practice at the highest level of their scope, independently and autonomously, so they can continue to support the community.”
— Heather Wall, RN
Chief Nursing Officer, PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend
“The institute’s mission is to inspire nurses to perform at their best and deliver exceptional care to patients and families.”
— Nicole Gooding, MSHS, BN, NPD-BC
Director, Oregon Institute for Nursing Excellence
“It is clear to me that the important work of supporting and celebrating nurses must continue. Nurses are critical to the function and sustainability of a civil society. I feel strongly that the Institute for Nursing Excellence will elevate these professionals and the care they give.”
— Rosaria Haugland
Major donor, Oregon Institute for Nursing Excellence
How can trauma nurses advance their skills? When every second counts, online trainings aren’t always as effective or engaging as hands-on learning. That’s why nurses at PeaceHealth Peace Harbor, in Florence, Oregon, created an innovative training based on the experience of an escape room.
“Escape the Trauma Room” challenges staff with real-time simulations in a real trauma room. After reading a patient scenario, the team races against the clock to provide effective and time-sensitive care. The team that resuscitates the simulation patient the fastest while meeting all critical interventions wins the title of Escape the Trauma Room Champion.
In post-training surveys, 100% of participants found the escape room approach engaging, useful and applicable to their clinical practice.
Moving from the classroom to the bedside as a new nurse isn't always easy. At PeaceHealth, we recognize the challenges first-year nurses face and welcome them with personalized guidance in a safe, encouraging environment.
The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation Nursing Residency program, eases the transition into professional practice for newly licensed nurses, so they can succeed, and our community can benefit from their expert care for years to come.
The residency matches first-year nurses with experienced RNs for close supervision and feedback to build confidence in their clinical skills. Giving new nurses this level of support has a remarkable impact: In 2024, our first-year turnover was about 30% lower than the national average.
PeaceHealth nurses’ creativity and impact on patients goes beyond our Lane County borders. Financial support from the institute allows them to present their great ideas and process innovations to national audiences.
In one recent example, nurses from PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and Cottage Grove Community Medical Center teamed up to present at the 2024 American College of Cardiology Quality Summit. With their “Time Flies” poster, Megan S., BSN, RN, PCCN, SCRN and Bri E., RN, demonstrated a focused effort for critical access hospitals to reduce door-in-door-out and door-to-reperfusion times for patients experiencing massive heart attacks.
Community support for nurses and nursing excellence makes PeaceHealth a great place to work. Donors like Rosaria Haugland make it all possible.
Haugland, a philanthropist, began her career as a biology and biochemistry research scientist. In 2022, her first gift of $1 million helped establish the Oregon Institute for Nursing Excellence.
In 2023, Haugland deepened her commitment to our nurses with another $500,000 to endow the Haugland Family Research & Innovation Fellows Program. The competitive fellowship gives PeaceHealth nurses financial support and flexibility to pursue research and innovation that benefits the practice of nursing.
The institute is organized around five centers, each with a different focus. This design allows us to meet nurses where they are today — and to help them grow to meet their future goals.
Make your gift in support of nursing excellence through PeaceHealth’s foundations.
Find career advancement opportunities, a nurse-friendly culture and work-life balance at PeaceHealth.
Request resources, explore programs, and learn more about our career development opportunities.