Travel nursing can be an extremely rewarding experience. Not only do you get to help people, you are also able to travel and have interesting adventures while earning a good income. At the same time, it can also lead to some bad experiences if you end up at an unprofessional workplace that does not treat its employees well.
As more and more organizations start to employ travel nurses, it can become overwhelming to sort through the clutter and separate the bad apples from the good ones.
Luckily, we have created for you a comprehensive list of the top ten travel nursing-friendly organizations based on hospital reviews from other travelers. Read on below to find out which hospitals are the best for travel nursing and other details about them
Ketchikan General Hospital (Ketchikan, Alaska)
The number one travel-friendly hospital is located in the beautiful state of Alaska in a rural area. Surrounded by mountains and close to the breathtaking Pacific Ocean, the Ketchikan General Hospital is one of the best hospitals to satiate your thirst for adventure.
Apart from its scenic beauty, this hospital also scores high on pointers like staff friendliness, its on-boarding process, and staffing levels. This means that your transition into their team is seamless and you will not be overburdened with work due to staff shortages.
Longmont United Hospital (Longmont, Colorado)
With a long history of nearly sixty years, the Longmont United Hospital comes in at number two on our list. Once again, it is located in a scenic state with great mountain views, Colorado. Like one number one entry, this hospital also rates high on criteria like friendliness and staffing levels.
At the same time, it is one of the first to be designated as a Planetree hospital, which means they focus on holistic, person-centered care. Travel nurses can thus learn a lot of new techniques and approaches during their stint at this hospital, which can help them for the rest of their careers.
Verde Valley Medical Center (Cottonwood, Arizona)
At number three, we have the 99-bed Verde Valley Medical Center. The facility is ranked highly not just by travel nurses, but also by their permanent staff. Travel nurses have reported that they are warmly accepted by the permanent staff, which is rare, and that their work is appreciated by both the staff and the management.
Seattle Children’s Hospital (Seattle, Washington)
Rated as one of the leading pediatric facilities in the USA, the Seattle Children’s hospital has received many honors over the years. Most recently, it was named one of the best children’s hospitals by the US News & World Report.
Its high-quality, speciality care means that travel nurses can gain a lot of knowledge and skills within a short assignment.
Community Memorial Hospital (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin)
This 200-bed facility in the state of Wisconsin comes in at number five for its overall ratings, but it received top marks in the patient safety category because of their commitment to the patients. With a high rate of retaining nurses, this hospital also has a strong commitment to its nursing staff.
This commitment is reflected in their programs for student nurses and other facilities, which was noticed by travel nurses. Most of them said they would like to work here again.
Children’s Hospital of Omaha (Omaha, Nebraska)
Ranked number 6, this facility is the only full-service, pediatric healthcare center in Nebraska. With expertise in more than fifty pediatric specialities, it is a prime place for travel nurses passionate about working with children.
In addition to the great amount of knowledge that can be gained here, it also ranked highly for the staff’s friendliness, teamwork and supportive atmosphere.
VA Palo Alto Health Care System (Palo Alto, California)
Arguably, being located in California itself would make this facility an amazing work place for travel nurses. Furthermore, with facilities located throughout the Bay Area, the VA Palo Alto Health Care System allows travel nurses to work in many different specialities and gain valuable experience.
Boston Medical Center (Boston, Massachusetts)
Awarded Magnet Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Boston Medical center is ranked highly for its nursing excellence and innovation in nursing practice. It is therefore one of the most prestigious organisations a nurse can work for, which also provides a wealth of valuable experience which will stay with you for the rest of your career.
University of Virginia Health System (Charlottesville, Virginia)
Comprising a network of hospitals, Level I Trauma Center, acclaimed cancer and heart centers, and clinics throughout Central Virginia, the UVA system is a cutting-edge organization. One of the best in the country, they are committed to offering the best possible care to all their patients, as reflected in their mission statement.
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
To conclude this list, we have another pediatric specialty hospital coming in at number ten. Travel nurses have ranked this place highly for the skill gains and experience it provides. With a level 1 trauma center and nationally ranked in eight pediatric specialties, it is one of the best places for travel nurses who are passionate about working with children.
There are many other hospitals all over the country that have been positively reviewed by travel nurses. While we cannot list all of them, here are the key points to keep in mind as you evaluate any hospital:
- How was the interview process?
- What are the orientation and onboarding procedures like? Are they helpful?
- What is the approach of the management?
- What are the professional development and training opportunities on offer? Do these tally with your career goals?
- Where is the hospital located? Is this a destination you would like to live in?
Make sure to carefully consider these questions before you take up any assignment, and we guarantee that you will walk away with a positive experience.