With over 6,000 hospitals in the U.S. to choose from, there are a wide variety of options to consider as a travel nurse.
Choosing the best hospital for your assignment can play a critical role in improving your professional development and career advancement.
But trying to narrow down your choices can be overwhelming at best.
We’ve compiled an exhaustive list of the best hospitals to work at for you –– so you don’t have to.
If you’re looking for the top hospitals to work for as a nurse, keep reading to find out which medical centers made our list and what criteria we used to rank the top 10 best hospitals in the United States.
Table of Contents
- 5 Factors Considered When Ranking the Best Hospitals to Work At
- What Are the Top 10 Best Hospitals in the U.S. for Travel Nurses
- Let Trusted Nurse Staffing Help You Find the Top Hospitals to Work For Based on Your Needs
5 Factors We Considered When Ranking the Best Hospitals to Work At
There are many factors to take into account when ranking the best hospitals to work for.
You may find additional characteristics that influence where you choose to take your assignment, but here we have focused on five key indicators to rate the top hospitals to work for as a nurse.
This is not an exhaustive list of factors, but rather the most common characteristics travel nurses may want to take into consideration.
#1: Employee Satisfaction
Employee satisfaction is a key element when looking for the best hospital to work for in the U.S.
How a travel nurse feels about their place of work as they go through their shifts can determine whether they feel they had a successful contract.
Employee happiness was evaluated using ratings reported by independent employees on websites like Glassdoor and Indeed. Here, employees reported their overall satisfaction based on their roles and the benefits offered.
Checking employee reviews online can be important to help you get a real glimpse into workplace culture at the hospital.
#2: Safety
Safe working conditions are key.
Things like …
- Access to protective equipment
- Disinfecting protocols; and
- Safe disposal of biowaste
… can make a huge difference in how you feel about your hospital.
Each hospital was ranked on its safety processes and how it chose to respond to safety evaluations reported by The LeapFrog Hospital Safety Grade.
#3: Hospital Expertise
Next, we looked at how the hospitals rank for care.
Expertise was evaluated based on yearly specialty rankings that highlight healthcare organizations and hospitals that excel in various medical specialties.
Each hospital’s performance was graded to acknowledge levels of excellence achieved in the healthcare industry.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, we want you to feel at ease at your newly assigned hospital, but we understand your first days at a top-ranked medical center can be intimidating.
Our professional staffing coordinators are always available to guide you and answer any questions before and throughout your contract.
Contact us today!
#4: Professional Growth
Research indicated that work-related development opportunities have a direct impact on employee happiness, including employee:
- Attitudes
- Behaviors; and
- Burnout
Consequently, we felt it was key to distinguish professional growth from employee satisfaction to account for important factors such as:
- Learning opportunities
- Growth potential; and
- Education offered
Advancement was also considered based on each hospital’s commitment to aid its healthcare professionals in career growth through their tenure at the hospital and throughout their careers.
In our rankings, we took into account opportunities like …
- Networking opportunities
- Diversity training
- Additional training courses
- Credit requirements for continued education
- Education and tuition support
- And more
… to rate hospitals based on the number of professional growth opportunities they provided to employees.
#5: Location
An individual’s overall happiness can be influenced by different factors, including one’s …
- Social
- Financial; and
- Heath
… status.
Still, a recent report found the happiest people in the U.S. tend to be those who live in cities that provide ample access to:
- Housing
- Food
- Transportation; and
- Financial stability
Since you have the opportunity to change locations as a travel nurse, we felt it was key to factor in hospitals that ranked in:
- Higher paying states
- Desirability based on climate
- City safety; and
- Local amenities
What Are the Top 10 Best Hospitals in the U.S. for Travel Nurses?
#1: Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
Located in Newport, California, one of the highest paying states, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian developed its nursing practice model in 2003. They promote a nurturing environment for the nursing staff and stress evidence-based practices.
The model is used to define …
- Nursing practices
- Collaboration; and
- Staff communication
… and boasts clinical ladder and growth pathways along with low nurse-to-patient ratios.
Each year, the hospital reviews the model for efficacy and improvements.
Compensation and benefits packages at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian are designed to help support the nurse and their family to advance their careers and education while benefiting patient care and improving patient outcomes.
Benefits include:
- Bonuses for nurses who achieve advanced certification
- Employee recognition
- Scholarships; and
- Tuition reimbursement
#2: Massachusetts General Hospital
At Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, patients are the primary focus through teachable and researchable science.
Clinical practice is evidence-based, and nurses are encouraged to improve patient care through increased critical thinking and scientific inquiry.
The nursing model relies on shared governance and strives to support a healthy work/life balance. Staffing and scheduling are handled at the unit level and based on patient care needs.
Benefits include:
- Up to 29 paid days off annually for new, full-time employees
- A full-service fitness center on the hospital’s main campus
- Resources for childcare
- Back-up childcare
- Pet insurance; and
- Subsidized public transportation
#3: New York Presbyterian Hospital
Located in New York, New York, the New York Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia University Irving Medical Center ranked nationally at number 14 in adult and 10 in pediatric specialties according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2021–2022 “Best Hospitals” rankings.
As New York state boasts some of the highest paid salaries, this general medicine and surgical teaching hospital attracts expert and internationally renowned physicians from Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.
The medical staff works together across all disciplines to offer its patients the highest quality of care and has been the best hospital in New York (U.S. News & World Report) for 21 years in a row.
#4: Cedars-Sinai
Ranked number seven on the U.S. News’ annual list of top 20 hospitals in the nation, Cedars-Sinai hospital has been voted the most preferred hospital in Los Angeles, California, for more than 20 years.
Additionally, Cedars-Sinai had 12 specialties ranked among the top 30 hospital rankings in the specific clinical areas of:
- Cardiology and heart surgery
- Diabetes and endocrinology
- Ear, nose, and throat
- Gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery
- Geriatrics
- Gynecology
- Nephrology
- Neurology and neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Pulmonology; and
- Urology
The hospital is dedicated to the health and well-being of its patients by advancing the science of medicine and healthcare delivery while remaining committed to expanding …
- Research
- Education; and
- Support
… in the community.
#5: University of Michigan Hospitals
In a 2021 new-hire survey, the University of Michigan Health System found that relationships with co-workers and a supportive work environment ranked most important for new nurses.
So the health system sought to attract experienced nurses from other large hospital institutions along with its 213 new graduate nurses.
The University of Michigan Health System used this survey information to publish statistics to help nurses decide if the hospital is the right place for them.
Focused on attracting and retaining the nation’s top nursing talent, the University of Michigan Health System values:
- Caring
- Teamwork
- Integrity; and
- Innovation
The University of Michigan Health System offers a benefits program that includes legal and flexible spending accounts plus …
- Health
- Dental; and
- Vision
… benefits. Additionally, employees can become eligible for tuition reimbursement after six months of employment.
The hospital system’s wellness program supports mental health at the University of Michigan Eisenberg Family Depression Center, along with resources where employees can access benefits to care for children and aging parents.
#6: Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center is a tertiary care, teaching hospital that integrates the high-tech world of advanced procedures with a highly-skilled and compassionate nursing team.
With one of the first coronary care units in the U.S. and one of the first critical care units in the region, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center offers nurses the opportunity to advance their careers within a renowned medical center.
Nurses are offered career options that include:
- Administration
- Leadership
- Research; and
- Clinical specialties
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center also promotes a culture of diversity and shared governance, which includes nursing staff in critical decision-making.
The hospital’s generous benefits package includes:
- Tuition reimbursement
- Support for education and research
- Commuting incentives; and
- Sign-on bonuses
#7: UCLA Medical Center
Ranking number one in both Los Angeles and California and number three nationally by U.S. News, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center achieved the highest set of rankings in its history.
UCLA Medical Center also celebrates earning top 10 national rankings in 12 specialties:
- Diabetes and endocrinology
- Gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery
- Geriatrics
- Pulmonology and lung surgery
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedics
- Psychiatry
- Cancer
- Neurology and neurosurgery
- Urology
- Cardiology and heart surgery; and
- Rheumatology
With over 250 locations across Southern California, UCLA Medical Center offers an exciting variety of nursing roles, from nursing leadership to nursing research –– and more.
#8: Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, has developed a reputation for excellence by offering a variety of alternatives and creating unique paths toward career advancement.
New nurses to the clinic can explore professional development opportunities, including career track options in:
- Leadership
- Clinical expertise
- Advanced practice; and
- Specialty nursing
Touting a program for nurses specializing in …
- Wound
- Stoma; and
- Continence
… the Cleveland Clinic helps fill a gap in the healthcare field and supports healthcare staff in professional growth and development.
Nurses have access to educational development tools like …
- Workshops
- A video library
- Computer-assisted instruction; and
- Self-instruction programs
… and are encouraged to participate in hospital committees that influence nursing care and patient outcomes.
#9: Houston Methodist
Houston, Texas, is the home of Houston Methodist Hospital, which holds awards from:
- Forbes,
- U.S. News and World Report
- Glassdoor; and
- The Joint Commission National Quality Approval
Clinicians interested in neuroscience have the opportunity to enhance their education in physiology and neuroanatomy through the neuroscience nurse residency.
This hospital also employs a shared governance model that offers nurses greater autonomy and the option to work collaboratively.
A clinical career ladder is also employed at Houston Methodist to create more opportunities for professional development in nursing leadership.
Houston Methodist also offers nurses a substantial sign-on bonus.
#10: Mayo Clinic Florida
Mayo Clinic Florida, located in Jacksonville, Florida, has served more than 1 million people from nearly 150 countries.
The dynamic team of healthcare professionals at Mayo Clinic Florida supports the potential for professional growth and development with a multidisciplinary environment that offers a variety of unique opportunities.
With more than 60 medical specialties, including …
- Surgical
- Ambulatory; and
- Inpatient specialties
… the hospital is an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) which offers varied continued nursing education opportunities.
Benefits at Mayo Clinic Florida include:
- Flexible spending accounts
- Elder and child care discounts
- Adoption assistance
- Mental health assistance; and
- Dependent scholarships
Let Trusted Nurse Staffing Help You Find the Top Hospitals to Work for Based on Your Needs
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, we understand how daunting it can be to choose the right hospital –– even with a top 10 list like ours.
That’s why we’re here to help you develop your career criteria and match you with the right hospital that will meet your needs as a travel nurse.
Whether you’re looking for a long-term assignment at a hospital with plenty of opportunities for career advancement or a short-term assignment at a medical facility near the beach, Trusted Nurse Staffing has you covered.
Start by creating your free profile, where we get to know you better. Then, our team of dedicated professionals will design your next assignment based on your:
- Goals
- Values; and
- Desires
We’re dedicated to helping our nurses work on assignments where they will thrive.
Connect with our staff today to forge your path and set your career into motion.