The largest health care strike in Oregon history began early Friday at Providence across the state, as roughly 5,000 frontline health professionals walked off the job. The strike — which includes mostly nurses and 150 doctors and advanced practitioners in addition to thousands of nurses — spans Providence’s eight hospitals in the state.

Area hospitals including Oregon Health & Science University have been planning how to handle transfers during the strike, according to Sara Hottman, a university spokesperson. OHSU is home to the Oregon Medical Coordination Center and is also tabbed by the state to help coordinate during surges in hospital bed demand.

With concern growing over hospital care as a Friday strike looms at Providence Hospitals, representatives from the Oregon Nurses Association will hold a press conference to update the public on their preparations.

Nearly 5,000 doctors and nurses at several Providence hospitals and clinics are set to hit the picket lines Friday in what could be the largest health care work

Oregon’s Providence hospitals and nearly 5,000 of its workers have yet to agree on terms to bump wages and address staffing shortages. That means the largest health care strike in the state’s history will begin Friday morning.

Nurses strike outside Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Northeast Portland. Physicians at the hospital have agreed to strike Jan. 10 to protest work conditions. Union leader says they won’t abandon nurses by negotiating separately with the health care system.

With concern growing over hospital care as a Friday strike looms at Providence Hospitals, representatives from the Oregon Nurses Association held a press conference to update the public on their preparations.