Best Hospitals to Work for in Louisiana

When you think of Louisiana, you might think of Mardi Gras, or incredible food, or maybe the unique culture. You might even think of the swamps and the incredible ecosystems living within them. But did you know that Louisiana also has some amazing hospitals to work at? 

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has developed the Magnet Recognition Program to honor hospitals that nurture nursing talent. Only the best hospitals that meet a certain criteria are designated as Magnet hospitals. These hospitals can be a great place to work as the criteria includes job satisfaction among nurses and the hospital’s ability to retain nursing staff. If you’re planning to work in Louisiana, consider our list of the best Louisiana hospitals in which to further your career.

Louisiana’s Top Hospital

• Children’s Hospital New Orleans
• East Jefferson General Hospital
• Ochsner Medical Center
• Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
• Woman’s Hospital

Best Hospitals in Louisiana 

In addition to Magnet hospitals, this list also looks at hospitals with ratings and rankings by U.S. News & World Report and by the Federal Government’s Medicare program. 

Children’s Hospital New Orleans

The Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a pediatric acute care teaching hospital. It is nationally ranked for two children’s specialties, Pediatric Nephrology and Pediatric Urology, by U.S. News and World Report. Regionally, it is ranked number 2in Louisiana and number 15in the Southeast. The Children’s Hospital New Orleans has also received accreditation and certification by The Joint Commission, a nationwide recognition of quality that evaluates the healthcare organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. 

 Learn more about Children’s Hospital New Orleans:

• Administration: Non-profit
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana 
• Number of employees: 2,000 
• Hospital network: 14 facilities 

East Jefferson General Hospital

The East Jefferson General Hospital has partnered with the LCMC Health system. It is a four-star overall and patient survey rating, according to Medicare. Additionally, it is considered high performing in two procedures – lung cancer surgery and heart failure – by U.S. News and World Report. It also became the first hospital in Louisiana to earn heart failure accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. 

Learn more about East Jefferson General Hospital :

• Administration: Non-profit
• Location: Metairie, Louisiana 
• Number of employees: 1,858
• Hospital network: 22 facilities

Ochsner Medical Center*

Ochsner Medical Center is a part of Ochsner Health, an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate, and Innovate. Regionally ranked as the number 1 hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News and World Report, it is also nationally ranked in one adult specialty and three children’s specialties and is rated high performing in 14 procedures. 

Ochsner Health has won numerous accolades and recognitions, including accreditation for Electrophysiology in January 2020 from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). 

Learn more about Ochsner Medical Center:

• Administration: Non-profit
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana 
• Hospital network: 40 facilities 
• Number of employees: 34,000+ 

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center

This hospital offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services with specialties in weight loss programs, cardiology, bariatric surgery, and stroke. This hospital was regionally ranked the best hospital in Baton Rouge, designated number three in all of Louisiana, and rated high performing in eight procedures by U.S. News and World Report.  

The Leapfrog Group awarded Our Lady of the Lake an “A” as its Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade in 2019. The designation recognizes the hospital’s efforts in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare.

Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center: 

• Administration: Non-profit
• Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
• Number of employees: 3,000 
• Hospital network: 8 facilities

Willis-Knighton Medical Center

The Willis-Knighton Medical Center is an award-winning that provides general medical and surgical procedures. It’s rated as high performing in 14 procedures and conditions, including aortiv value surgery, back surgery and color cancer surgery, by U.S. News & World Report. It also made Newsweek’s “World’s Best Hospitals” list

Learn more about Willis-Knighton Medical Center: 

• Administration: Non-profit
• Location: Shreveport, Louisiana 
• Number of employees: 8,000 
• Hospital network: 5 facilities

Woman’s Hospital

Woman’s Hospital is a specialized hospital in Louisiana that is known for its obstetrics and gynecology facilities. It also offers Medical Surgical ICU, Bariatric/Weight Control Services, and an on-site Emergency Department. Medicare gives it a four-star overall rating as well as a four-star patient survey rating.

This year, Woman’s won the award for gynecology and maternity care, one of only five hospitals in the world and the only one in the United States to be recognized for these specialties.

Learn more about Woman’s Hospital: 

• Administration: Non-profit
• Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
• Number of employees: 2,340 

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

What makes a best hospital in Louisiana 

The ‘Best Hospital’ tag is not an easy one to get. Multiple factors ranging from patient and employee satisfaction to safety records and technology can impact the quality of a hospital. You should consider the following factors carefully before you commit to working at any of these hospitals. 

Benefits

Wages are not the only factor to consider before starting a job. The best hospitals also offer additional benefits or perks that can enhance your work experience. These can include childcare services, paid maternity and paternity leaves, wellness programs, and tuition assistance. 

Growth opportunities

Apart from wages and benefits, it’s important to know if your new employer provides growth opportunities for your career. If career mobility is important to you, you can consider working at hospitals that offer more in-demand, high-skilled roles with better wages, such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.

Employee satisfaction

As an employee, job satisfaction is important because it directly impacts your ability to work. Because of the high-stress, fast-paced environment of a hospital, you are susceptible to experiencing burnout and developing compassion fatigue, which can adversely impact your job performance. 

You should ensure that the hospital you choose to work for prioritizes employee satisfaction by offering benefits and perks such as mental health and wellness programs. 

High patient satisfaction 

Patient satisfaction is one of the leading indicators of the quality of healthcare offered by a hospital. High employee satisfaction leads to high patient satisfaction, and vice versa. 

Other factors that make a top hospital 

The above list is not exhaustive. Other factors that enhance healthcare quality, such as safety records, ethics, and even technology, set apart the best hospitals. 

Safety record is critical 

Ensuring safety is one of the most critical goals for any quality hospital. If hospitals don’t follow patient safety rules set by The Joint Commission (TJC), they risk losing their accreditation status.

Hospital policies that focus on customer services 

Getting admitted to a hospital can be a daunting process for most patients. Apart from their primary job of providing healthcare, hospitals need to ensure they provide seamless and helpful customer service for numerous other functions, including billing and finance, insurance filing, cafeteria, and more. Good customer service is essential for a hospital as it directly impacts patient satisfaction. 

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

Technological innovation is revolutionizing the healthcare landscape. The best hospitals leverage technology to improve patient care and satisfaction. For example, Ochsner Health has launched innovationOchsner (iO), a think tank that specializes in using “technology and data to create precision-focused, patient-centered solutions.”

Ethics leading the way

The best hospitals ensure that ethics guide their practices and processes. Most hospitals outline a detailed code of conduct to maintain the highest ethical standards and implement non-discriminatory practices. For example, the Children’s Hospital New Orleans lists its patient rights, which guarantee non-discrimination regardless of patients’ age, race, color, or culture as well as patients’ right to consent to or refuse medical treatment, among other rights. 

Next steps

Regardless of whether you’re an experienced nurse or a recent graduate, working for the best hospitals in any state is a great decision for your career. 

However, applying to the best hospitals without the right resources can be a daunting task. At Incredible Health, we have compiled easy guides to help you land your dream nursing job in top Louisiana hospitals. Follow the steps below to increase your chances of getting hired. 

Build your resume

Since the top hospitals are competitive to get into, it’s important to present yourself in a unique manner in your resume to stand out from the competition. Consider including factors apart from your education, such as accreditations, specific skills, and solid references. Follow our best practices to create a strong nursing resume. 

Join a nurses association

Joining nursing organizations and nursing unions can be an effective way to network, get access to jobs, and connect with mentors. Before making a choice to join a union, read our guides to consider the pros and cons of this decision. 

Attend industry educational conferences and workshops

As discussed, technological innovation has made healthcare a dynamic industry. It is crucial to constantly upskill yourself by learning new technologies and techniques to stand out from the competition. Attending nursing conferences and workshops is a good place to start. 

Keep up with continuing education requirements

Continuing education requirements vary by state. At Incredible Health, we have compiled guides to help you understand state-specific requirements. Use our Louisiana nursing guide to update yourself on Louisiana’s continuing education requirements as well as information such as nursing salaries and nursing associations.

Incredible Health offers free CEU courses. All you have to do is sign up on our website to access them. 

Search for job openings

Our platform offers a variety of resources to guide you toward nursing openings at several hospitals in Louisiana, including those mentioned above. Create a profile at Incredible Health, and let the best hospitals in the state reach out to you! 

Transfer your nursing license to Louisiana 

If you’re currently out of state and want to work in Louisiana, a nursing compact state, learn about your options. If you’re moving from a compact state to Louisiana, you can easily transfer your license. However, the process might be more complicated if you’re coming from a non-compact state. Follow our guide to get a nursing license in another state. 

Top Louisiana RN jobs on Incredible Health