Best Hospitals to Work in Kentucky

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Kentucky: home to the Kentucky Derby, 95% of the world’s bourbon production, and some pretty great hospitals that are dedicated to providing quality care for their nursing staff. 

Each hospital on the below list has been designated as a Magnet hospital, according to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)’s criteria. A Magnet hospital promotes patient and staff satisfaction, and this honor is bestowed to only 9.3% of hospitals in the country.

Here are some of the top hospitals in Kentucky that are focused on delivering excellence in healthcare. 

Kentucky’s Top Hospital

• Baptist Health Lexington
• Baptist Health Louisville
• St. Elizabeth Florence Hospital
• St. Elizabeth Fort Thomas Hospital
• UK Healthcare

Best hospitals in Kentucky 

The following list of Magnet hospitals has been rated using websites such as the ANCC, U.S. News & World Report, and Medicare. Feedback from other trusted employment websites, like Glassdoor and LinkedIn, have also been used to compile these rankings.

Baptist Health Lexington

Baptist Health Lexington is regionally ranked number 3 in Kentucky and rated as high-performing in 10 adult procedures and conditions by the U.S. News & World Report. The federal government has given it 4 out of 5 stars. It also has been honored with the Leapfrog Group top rating of “A” in hospital safety for 9 consecutive years.

Learn more about Baptist Health Lexington:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Lexington, KY
• Hospital network: 8 locations
• Physicians: 500

Baptist Health Louisville

Baptist Health Louisville is a 519-bed hospital that offers a wide range of healthcare services. It is regionally ranked number 4 in Kentucky and number 1 in Louisville, and it is also rated as high-performing in 9 adult procedures and conditions, including Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Colon Cancer Surgery, and Diabetes by the U.S. News & World Report. It has been given 3 out of 5 stars from the federal government. This hospital is also a 10-time recipient of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky designation.

Learn more about Baptist Health Louisville:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Louisville, KY
• Hospital network: 8 locations

St. Elizabeth Florence Hospital

Founded with one small hospital in 1861, St. Elizabeth is now a regional healthcare leader in Northern Kentucky. This hospital is rated as high-performing in 5 adult procedures and conditions such as Heart Failure, Diabetes, and Pneumonia by the U.S. News & World Report. The federal government has given it 4 out of 5 stars. This hospital has also been awarded the 2021 Women’s Choice Awards for America’s Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery.

Learn more about St. Elizabeth Florence:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Florence, KY
• Hospital network: 1 location
• Physicians: 1,600

St. Elizabeth Fort Thomas Hospital

As part of Northern Kentucky’s St. Elizabeth healthcare system, the Fort Thomas Hospital is a 332 bed full-service hospital featuring 24/7 emergency care. This hospital is rated as high-performing in 4 adult procedures and conditions by the U.S. News & World Report: Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, Hip Fracture, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It has received 3 out of 5 stars from the federal government. This institution was awarded the Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ in 2022 from America’s Best Hospitals.

Learn more about St. Elizabeth Fort Thomas:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Fort Thomas, KY
• Hospital network: 1 location
• Physicians: 1,200

UK Healthcare

UK HealthCare is a network of hospitals and clinics, as well as an academic research institution. It has received a high-performing designation and ranks in 4 adult specialties and 10 common adult procedures and conditions, including Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Stroke, by the U.S. News & World Report. It made the Best Doctors in America List for the year 2019.

Learn more about UK Healthcare:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Lexington, KY
• Hospital network: 41 locations
• Employees: 9,000

*Incredible Health helps these hospitals find permanent nurses. Sign up to get matched with nursing jobs!

What makes a best hospital in Kentucky

With impressive designations and accreditations, these top hospitals in Kentucky also offer enticing benefits, growth opportunities, and overall satisfaction for both patients and staff.

Benefits

When employers focus on benefits other than salary, this attracts potential employees. These worthwhile benefits often include vacation and sick leave, discounts, financial assistance for homebuyers, tuition assistance, wellness programs, and more. 

Growth opportunity

Many who begin as RN nurses may want to further their education for higher salary and more responsibilities. Career growth opportunities are a valuable benefit in healthcare. From becoming a nurse anesthetist (CRNA) to a nurse practitioner, there are many options for advancement.

Employee satisfaction

Employers with high employee satisfaction rates are more appealing to new employees. These environments are typically more positive for nurses to work in. When employees are content, they’re less likely to deal with issues such as job fatigue or burnout, which both have a negative impact.

High patient satisfaction 

When employees in healthcare are satisfied, patients usually are as well. Patient satisfaction is key in this industry, since it’s so customer-focused. When the work environment is positive and there are happy employees, patients have more positive outcomes.

Other factors that make a top hospital 

There are other important elements to being a top hospital, such as safety records, customer service-based practices, advancements in technology, and ethics.

Safety record is critical

Top hospitals tend to be more dedicated to safety practices. When these institutions focus on cleanliness, emergency situations, and other important safety measures, they are considered to be of the utmost quality. Healthcare systems that are committed to safety records and standards create an environment rooted in wellness. 

Hospital policies focus on customer services 

As a customer service industry, hospitals should have the patients’ health and best interests in mind.  When hospitals demonstrate their care for patients, they foster a positive environment for staff as well.

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

Technology is ever-changing and growing, so it’s important for hospitals to stay up-to-date on these new practices. Not only can technological training and implementations benefit staff, but it can improve certain diagnostics and treatments for patients, also. The top hospitals in Kentucky that devote themselves to advancements in tech are considered to have a higher standard.

Ethics lead the way

Leading with ethics is valuable in a healthcare setting. Whether that’s working to create affordable medical practices or connecting with patients regardless of their background, it is important for hospitals to guide with morality.

Next steps

Whether you’re a more experienced nurse or have just recently graduated, using your nursing expertise to work in one of the above-listed Kentucky hospitals may help to elevate your skills and career aspirations.

It can be daunting to look for a job without the right strategies. Incredible Health has easy guides on how to land your dream job as a nurse in one of Kentucky’s top hospitals.

Build your resume

When you want to stand out among the other job candidates, you should personalize your resume for the hospital and particular job. Emphasize your certifications while highlighting your relevant skills and knowledge that will set you apart. It’s also vital to have solid references who can speak to your abilities and quality of work.

Join a nurses association

There are plenty of opportunities to connect with other nurses and gain access to networking and job opportunities with nurses associations. Check to see if your state has a nurses union, and consider the pros and cons of joining one.

Attend industry educational conferences and workshops. 

With rapid advancements in the healthcare system, you should continue learning relevant skills for the job. These can include new techniques and technology that help you to stand out. Attend nursing conferences to connect with other professionals, especially ones who can answer your questions and offer advice.

Keep up with continuing education requirements

Each state has their own education requirements, so it’s good practice to stay in the know. Incredible Health offers free CEU courses for different states, including Kentucky. Sign up for a profile to access them now and read up on Kentucky’s licensing requirements.

Search for job openings

With a variety of resources, including our platform, you can find the right openings for nursing opportunities at the hospitals listed above or elsewhere in Kentucky. If you’re interested, you can create a profile and have hospitals apply to you!

Transfer your nursing license to Kentucky

If you’re looking to transfer to a Kentucky hospital from out of state, you should learn your options. If you’re coming from a compact state to work in another compact state, the process is easier and more straightforward. For noncompact states, however, there are other things to keep in mind. Here is  a guide on the whole process.