HEC will be closing its doors after 40 years of helping nurses reenter the field
Last Day of Operation June 1st, 2026
Over the years, we lobbied for Nurse Practice Act reform to help Oregon nurses move away from the practice hour model and toward the continuing education model, with the hope of lowering the significant barriers that confronted nurses who had to step away from the field for many different reasons.
My hope for my colleagues is that the new Nurse Practice Act in Oregon allows you to safely practice nursing and continue your career — even after retirement — through continuing education.
God has blessed me with the ability to provide this service to you, and I freely release it. God bless my fellow nurses!
Bitter Sweet Goodbye
With the passing of the new Nurse Practice Act, HEC is no longer accredited. What this means practically is that we can no longer offer clinical placements — the hallmark of our nurse re-entry program. As of January 1, 2026, HEC has stopped offering clinical placements through our contracts with clinical partners. Without this core service, we are no longer able to remain financially viable within the nursing community.
I regret to share that for those of you seeking hands-on clinical re-entry training, there is no longer a formalized process available. However, there are a couple of paths worth exploring: some facilities will allow you to volunteer as a nurse to regain your clinical skills, and I have found that being upfront with potential employers about needing additional training can go a long way.
It has been an honor serving this community for 40 years, and I am deeply grateful for every nurse whose journey I was privileged to be a part of.
Sincerely,
Brandy Stoffel, MSN, RN