As a healthcare professional looking to work in Alabama, you should consider the best hospitals in the state. The best hospitals are often the best employers, providing a more fulfilling work experience.
One of the hospitals discussed in this article is a Magnet hospital. These are hospitals that meet a certain standard of nursing and nurture nursing talent, as determined by the Magnet Recognition Program set up by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Given that the criteria for this recognition include job satisfaction for nurses as well as the hospital’s ability to retain nursing staff, Magnet hospitals can be a great place to further your nursing career.
Alabama’s Top Hospital
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital
- Andalusia Health
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham
- Children’s of Alabama
- Huntsville Hospital
Best hospitals in Alabama
While Alabama has only one Magnet hospital, the state has many other quality hospitals, which can be great places to work.
University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital is one of the best healthcare providers and the only magnet hospital in the state. It’s known for its clinical research and for offering some of the best medical programs in the country. It has a 4-star patient rating according to the federal government. Additionally, according to a U.S. News and World Report, UAB ranks 27th for cancer and 29th for cardiology in the country. It’s ranked first in Alabama.
In 2021, Forbes ranked UAB as the best large employer in the country. In the same year, UAB also received the woman’s choice awards for its practices in obstetrics, orthopedics, heart care, stroke care, cancer care, and breast care.
Learn more about University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital:
- Administration: non-profit
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Hospital network: 4 facilities
- Number of employees: 16,361
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Andalusia Health
Andalusia Health is a general medical and surgical facility, part of the 79 hospital network of ScionHealth.It has a 4-star overall rating according to the federal government. It’s considered high performing in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) by the U.S. News and World Report.
Learn more about Andalusia Health:
- Location: Andalusia, Alabama
- Hospital network: 79 hospitals
- Number of employees: 22,000 (in total)
Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham
Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham is an acute care hospital serving Birmingham and the surrounding communities. According to the U.S. News and World Report, it’s ranked third in Alabama and second in Birmingham. Additionally, it is considered high performing in six procedures. It has a 5-star overall rating according to the federal government website.
Learn more about Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham:
- Administration: non-profit
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Hospital network: St. Vincent’s Health System (5 hospitals)
- Number of employees: 1,001-5,000 employees
Children’s of Alabama
Children’s of Alabama is one of the leading children’s hospitals in the nation and the state’s only level 1 pediatric trauma center. Children’s of Alabama was awarded the No. 1 position as the best children’s hospital in the Southeast in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. It is also nationally ranked in 10 children’s specialties.
Learn more about Children’s of Alabama:
- Administration: non-profit
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Number of employees: 5,000+
Huntsville Hospital
Huntsville Hospital is a general medical and surgical facility. It is ranked number two in all of Alabama by the U.S. News and World Report. It is high performing in 11 procedures. Additionally, it has a 3-star patient rating, according to the federal government website.
Learn more about Huntsville Hospital:
- Administration: non-profit
- Location: Huntsville, Alabama
- Hospital network: Huntsville Hospital System (9 facilities and 7 affiliate hospitals)
- Number of employees: 16,000 employees total
What makes a best hospital in Alabama
The best hospitals offer more than just competitive salaries. An array of qualitative factors influence the overall quality of a hospital. These include career advancement opportunities, work satisfaction, and even the technology the hospital uses.
Benefits
Apart from attractive salaries in Alabama, the best hospitals offer nurses additional employee benefits. These in-kind benefits can include childcare services, access to free wellness and mental health programs, and tuition reimbursements, which help you save money in the long term.
While your initial inclination might be to seek out nursing jobs with the highest wages, consider that an increasing number of nurses are now factoring in these other qualitative benefits that improve the quality of their employment.
Growth opportunities
It is essential to consider your career trajectory while evaluating employment options. Your chosen organization should offer the potential for upward career mobility once you start and excel at your job.
Multiple external factors such as better insurance and an aging population have increased the demand for nurse practitioners. Additionally, some sub-careers within nursing are particularly lucrative; for instance, nursing anesthetists made an average salary of $202,470 as of May 2021. As a registered nurse, you should consider such career advancement opportunities that would benefit you financially and professionally as you choose where you would like to work.
Employee satisfaction
Given the nature of the profession, it is not uncommon for nurses to develop compassion fatigue and suffer from burnout related issues. The best hospitals tend to prioritize employee satisfaction, which can mitigate the impact of burnout or fatigue. By fostering a positive workplace environment, these hospitals help keep employees satisfied and make their jobs more fulfilling.
High patient satisfaction
The best hospitals also often have high levels of patient satisfaction. After all, if the employees are satisfied and motivated, they create an environment conducive to healing for patients.
The converse is also true. Higher patient satisfaction increases employee satisfaction. According to a LinkedIn survey, 86% of healthcare professionals report that having pride in their employer matters to them, and the most significant determinant of pride for 64% of healthcare professionals is “having a positive impact on society.”
Other factors that make a top hospital
There are various additional factors that help a top hospital stand out, such as its safety record, quality of customer service, state of technology, and ethical standards.
Exemplary safety record
Various studies have determined that while 4 out of 10 patients are harmed in primary and outpatient healthcare settings, up to 80% of this harm is preventable. The best hospitals invest in practices, resources, and employees to avoid this and improve safety for those entrusted to their care.
Hospital policies that focus on customer service
High quality customer service is a critical factor in determining patient satisfaction. Apart from the medical treatment itself, there are numerous other services that patients require, such as billing and insurance filing.
The best hospitals provide seamless and valuable customer service, making them highly sought after.
Latest technology and training to improve healthcare
According to the Alabama Hospital Association, leading hospitals use technology to ensure safe, high-quality care for patients. Procuring advanced technology and training healthcare professionals in its use reflects a hospital’s investment in the continuous improvement of healthcare.
Recent technological advancements have enabled telehealth services that allow patients to confer with their physicians virtually. This is critical for homebound patients and has been especially useful during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ethics leading the way
An ethical approach is central to high-quality healthcare systems. Ethics are critical when dealing with difficult patients or marginalized groups to ensure that everyone who needs care receives unbiased and fair medical treatment.
All top hospitals have a robust code of conduct. For example, UAB hospital prioritizes equal healthcare access for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic or biological factors.
Next steps
Regardless of whether you’re an experienced nurse or a recent graduate with limited nursing expertise, working in any of the best Alabama hospitals listed above can further hone your skills and help you achieve your career aspirations.
Since finding a job without the right resources at your disposal can be a daunting task, Incredible Health has compiled a comprehensive guide on landing your dream nursing job in a top Alabama hospital. Here are important steps to take to kickstart your nursing career in Alabama:
Build your resume
A resume is one of the most critical components of applying for a job. Most, if not all, of the best hospitals in Alabama will require a resume for the initial screening process. Standing out from the competition is crucial when it comes to competitive jobs and personalizing your resume will help you distinguish yourself. Follow these best practices to develop a strong nursing resume.
Join a nurses association
Joining nurses associations such as professional nursing organizations and nursing unions can help you progress in your career. These associations provide references, job opportunities, and chances to network with other nurses and senior members of the industry. Make sure you consider the pros and cons of joining a union before making a decision.
Attend industry educational conferences and workshops
The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving. With new technologies and practices emerging, it is necessary to upskill frequently. Attending industry-specific educational conferences and workshops to learn new skills and techniques is a good place to start.
Stay abreast of continuing education requirements
Different states have different requirements for continuing education. Incredible Health, has compiled resources and guides to familiarize you with these education requirements.
Use the Alabama guide and enroll in Incredible Health’s Alabama nursing CEUs to ensure that you keep up with the education requirements for Alabama.
Search for job openings
After completing the steps listed above, it’s finally time to search for jobs in Alabama. Instead of applying for jobs the traditional way, what if some of the best hospitals in Alabama contacted you? Flip the script: create a profile with Incredible Health and let the HR departments of top hospitals compete to hire you!
Transfer your nursing license to Alabama
Do you want to work in Alabama but are currently out of state? Depending on which state you’re coming from, the process to transfer your nursing license might differ.
For example, are you moving from a nursing compact state to Alabama, which is also part of the Nurse License Compact (NLC)? If so, you can easily transfer your license. Butwhat if you’re moving from a non-compact state? Follow our comprehensive guide to get all your questions answered.
Sources
- ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION. alaha.org. Accessed June 30, 2022.
- “ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.” nursingworld.org. Accessed June 30, 2022.
- Medicare. medicare.gov Accessed June 30, 2022.
- “Pride a key factor in healthcare employee satisfaction: LinkedIn survey.” healthcaredive.com Accessed June 30, 2022.
- “THE ECONOMICS OF PATIENT SAFETY IN PRIMARY AND AMBULATORY CARE.” oecd.org Accessed June 30, 2022.
- UAB MEDICINE. uabmedicine.org Accessed June 30, 2022.
- “U.S. News Best Hospitals.” health.usnews.com Accessed June 30, 2022.
