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​Nursing staff at Oregon State Hospital are among the largest team who support the daily care and support of patients. Their care and engagement contribute to the therapeutic environment of each unit where patients spend the majority of their time.

For nearly six years, Maranda Fouts has worked as a registered nurse at OSH.

“I enjoy helping patients during their most difficult moments," Fouts said.

A key part of nursing staff's job is building trust and engaging with patients, so they know they are supported, she said.

“Many of these patients need someone to talk to, to build rapport with, so that in moments of crisis, they know that there is someone they can trust to help them during a difficult time," she said.

In the past year, Fouts moved into a leadership role as a nurse manager overseeing several patient floors because of her love of teaching others. During her career at OSH, she's had the opportunity to serve as a preceptor for nursing students, a clinical instructor, and prior to moving into her current position, assisted other nurse managers. She said she's appreciated the opportunities for professional development and growth.

For a nurse considering a career at OSH, Fouts encouraged them to learn more about working at a psychiatric hospital and the daily, positive impact they can make on someone's life.

“The way society portrays psych hospitals is not a true reality," she said. “People do not realize that these patients could be any of us."

To explore OSH careers in nursing and other opportunities, visit OSHJobs.com.