By Melissa Wirkus, associate editor
What makes a facility attractive to a travel nurse? RN staffing levels, staff friendliness, patient safety and orientation were just a few of the criteria evaluated by travel nurses in a survey conducted by leading travel nursing Web site, TravelNursing.com, to determine the top ranked travel-nurse friendly facilities in the nation. Based on input received from over 4,500 travel nurses, who were employed as traveling RNs from 2007-2008, and who rated the facilities where they had worked, several facilities emerged as top traveler-friendly contenders. Here are the top 10 hospitals as rated by TravelNursing.com’s survey respondents.
1. Harrison Medical Center - Bremerton, WA
Rated top on the list for staff friendliness and for providing opportunities to learn new skills, travelers were eager to discuss their experiences at this acute-care facility serving the northwest Washington area. “The staff was very friendly and welcoming,” said Janet Snodgrass, RN, a travel nurse with staffing company Medical Express. “It’s a big enough facility to have the latest high-tech equipment but small enough that everyone seems to know each other. The CEO and nursing administration are very visible and supportive—the whole system seems to be run on support and education.”
As the region’s largest and busiest medical center, travel nurses have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide array of specialties and treatment plans. “I was able to learn a whole new skill set,” Snodgrass said. “I had never done actual oncology before, only general med-surg and I earned my chemotherapy certifications here.” From cardiovascular services to orthopedics, travel nurses who worked at Harrison Medical Center commented about the opportunity to work in a team-centered environment and to enhance their nursing skills at the same time.
2. St. Francis Hospital - Bartlett - Bartlett, TN
Recognized as a distinguished hospital for its excellent inpatient services by J.D. Power and Associates for two consecutive years, travel nurses also praised Tennessee-based St. Francis Hospital-Bartlett. Travel nurses who completed the evaluation cited patient safety as a top priority.
The facility also ranked high in the staff friendliness, nurse manager and orientation categories. According to survey respondents, travelers take an assignment at this facility knowing they will receive a thorough orientation and will have guidance and support from their nurse manager throughout the duration of their contract.
3. Providence St. Peter Hospital - Olympia, WA
This 390-bed teaching hospital located in Washington’s state capital consistently ranked at the top of multiple categories in the survey. Providence St. Peter was rated number one by travelers for patient safety and also earned the top spot for learning new skills. Additionally, it earned second place in the staffing levels and staff friendliness categories.
Ranked by HealthGrades as the number one hospital for cardiology and cardiac intervention in Washington State, travelers who took an assignment at this facility thrived in the nursing environment fostered here and appreciated the support of the permanent staff.
4. Connecticut Children's Medical Center - Hartford, CT
Boasting an excellent orientation program for travelers and ranking high in staff friendliness, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center was a favorite facility among experienced travel nurses.
This academic teaching facility was designed especially for children and features state-of-the-art technology and the latest health care services. The facility offers an emergency room, surgical unit, ICU and NICU.
5. University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics - Salt Lake City, UT
Travelers who took an assignment at the University of Utah Hospital and Clinics were in agreement about the facility’s superb nursing management and the opportunity to gain new experience and skills. Beth Beane, RN, a postpartum nurse with leading nurse staffing company American Mobile Healthcare, had the opportunity to train in a new unit during her assignment. “They had a Level II nursery and I had never done that before, so they trained me there, and they also had a great NICU float program,” she said.
Recognized as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for 13 consecutive years by the U.S. News and World Report, travelers are able to work in a wide variety of specialties with a dedicated team of permanent staff. “All of the employees were nice and very helpful. It was a teaching hospital, so I got the opportunity to work with many different professionals. Collaborating with all of the doctors was really great,” Beane noted.
6. Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies - Orlando, FL
According to the hospital Web site, Winnie Palmer is home to the fourth largest NICU in the United States, and travelers rated this facility as number one for orientation and at the top of the staff friendliness and patient safety categories. “The staff never treated me as if I was not part of their team. Everyone welcomed me from day one, they were so friendly and so appreciative of my help,” said Stefanie Bellerive, RN, a travel nurse with American Mobile Healthcare “Not just the nursing staff in women’s health but all staff from the top managers to the director of nursing to the CEO—they all treat you with the utmost respect.”
Offering a wide range of services and support for new mothers and their babies, this facility provides travelers with a valuable learning experience. “I had never done women’s health before taking an assignment here,” Bellerive said. “Everyone was so eager to teach me and willing to show me the ropes and get me comfortable doing something brand new.”
7. The Children's Hospital Association - Aurora, CO
Nestled in the picturesque mountain town of Aurora, Colorado, The Children’s Hospital Association is a facility that many travel nurses rated as one of the best in many categories. The majority of travelers who took an assignment at this 284-bed acute-care facility reported that they would gladly work at the facility again and would recommend it to others. “The staff is very welcoming to travelers,” said Jenny Evans, RN, who traveled with American Mobile Healthcare as a hematology/oncology nurse. “There is a cohesive nature to the facility, a lot of teamwork.”
According to The Children’s Hospital Association Web site, their state-of-the-art technology, wide range of treatment options and dedication to research, education and patient advocacy have helped them to treat and heal more kids than any hospital in their region.
8. Community Regional Medical Center - Fresno - Fresno, CA
Home to the largest emergency department in the state of California and cutting-edge technology such as the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System and G4 CyberKnife, travel nurses cited Fresno-based Community Regional Medical Center for its new medical technology and state-of-the art clinical procedures.
A Level I trauma center and noted teaching facility, travelers scored this facility highest in the nurse manager and orientation categories—two essential elements for a successful travel nursing assignment.
9. El Camino Hospital - Mountain View, CA
El Camino Hospital, in the northern California community of Mountain View, was recognized for its patient safety, safe staffing levels and the opportunity for travelers to learn new skills while on assignment.
This not-for-profit facility serves the greater Silicon Valley area and holds the distinguished title of being the first nursing Magnet hospital in the Bay Area. Travelers who took an assignment at El Camino Hospital enjoyed working with the latest technology and also appreciated working alongside a talented group of health care professionals.
10. High Point Regional Hospital - High Point, NC
Travelers rated High Point Regional Hospital as a facility that they would want to work at again—for a myriad of reasons. “My recruiter and the staff completely put all my fears to rest,” said Sharon Lane, RN, a med-surg nurse travel nurse. “I was accepted as ‘one of our own’ by the permanent staff which made the transition from permanent to traveling easier than I imagined.”
The facility has a department dedicated to nursing excellence and it has also earned recognition as a Magnet hospital for nursing. High Point’s dedicated and welcoming nursing staff is just one of the many reasons why travelers stated that they would work at this facility again.
*Travel staffing companies American Mobile Healthcare, NursesRx and Medical Express participated in the survey. The Top 10 facilities were chosen based on highest combined ranking in the following areas: Staff Friendliness, Nurse Manager, Orientation, Patient Safety, Learning New Skills and RN Staffing Levels. The travelers were also asked if they would work at the facility again and if they would recommend it to others.
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