Best Hospitals to Work for in Virginia

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Are you looking to work in one of the oldest and most respected states of the United States? Check out eight high-performing Magnet hospitals in Virginia, as determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Best Hospitals in Virginia

In addition to Magnet status, all of these institutions have high ratings, according to U.S. News & World Report, Medicare and Newsweek.

Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center

Memorial Regional Medical Center, which is part of the Bon Secours Health System, is rated with high performance in stroke care and  by U.S. News & World Report and has a three-star rating from the federal government. 

The facility has also received the Commitment to Community Award for their service during the pandemic, and was one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2019.

Learn more about Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Mechanicsville, Virginia
• Hospital network: seven facilities
• Employees: 3,000 (approximately)

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Carilion Clinic Roanoke Campus

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is part of one of the main health systems of Virginia, Carilion Clinic, and it’s ranked No. 6 in the state by U.S. News & World Report.

In 2020, a clinical nurse specialist at Carilion Clinic Roanoke Campus, Jennifer Bath,  received the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award. In the previous year, they were awarded the Consumer Choice No. 1 by NRC Health. 

The hospital has a three-star rating from the federal government.

Learn more about Carilion Clinic Roanoke Campus:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Roanoke, Virginia
• Hospital network: seven facilities

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus*

Inova Fairfax Hospital is ranked No. 1 in Virginia and Washington, DC, by U.S. News & World Report and No. 1 in Adult Specialty across the country. Its health system, Inova, is the leading provider in Virginia.

The institution received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade in 2022 for its efforts to meet excellent safety standards in patient care. The facility was also listed among America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery in 2020, it was accredited by the Commission on Cancer more than three decades ago and has a four-star rating from the federal government.

Learn more about Inova Fairfax Medical Campus:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Falls Church, Virginia 
• Hospital network: six facilities
• Employees: 18,000+ health professionals (across the entire network)

Mary Washington Hospital

This hospital is ranked No. 10 in Virginia and it’s rated high performing in nine Procedures or Conditions by U.S. News & World Report.

Mary Washington Hospital is a Level II Trauma Center and Level III NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit).

The institution has received the Joint Replacement Award from Healthgrades in 2022 and has a three-star rating from the federal government.

Learn more about Mary Washington Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
• Hospital network: three facilities

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

This organization is ranked No. 3 in Virginia and No. 1 in Adult Specialty by U.S. News & World Report. It also was among the top 50 best institutions of The Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) program in 2019. 

The hospital, Part of Sentara Healthcare, received the Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award™ in 2021, the Labor and Delivery Excellence Award, in 2019, and has a four-star rating from the federal government.

Learn more about Sentara Norfolk General Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Norfolk, Virginia
• Hospital network: three facilities
• Employees: 30,000+ (across the entire network)

VCU Medical Center

VCU Medical Center Main Hospital, which is part of VCU Health system, is ranked No. 3 in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report.

The hospital was the first in the state to receive the Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification in 2021. The same year, it was named one of the Best Hospitals for Maternity.

What’s the hospital’s ranking from the federal government?

Learn more about VCU Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Richmond, Virginia
• Hospital network: nine facilities
• Employees: 12,500+ (across the entire network)

Virginia Hospital Center

Virginia Hospital Center is a member of Mayo Clinic Care Network and was rated No. 7 by U.S. News & World Report. 

In 2021, the organization was recognized with an ‘A’ Grade from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade and it has a four-star rating from the federal government.

Learn more about Virginia Hospital Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Arlington, Virginia
• Employees: 1,824 

Winchester Medical Center

Winchester Medical Center, part of Valley Health system, is ranked No. 3 in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report and No. 2 in Adult Specialties across the nation. 

The hospital won the 2021 Best of the Best Readers’ Choice Award in the hospital category from The Journal in Martinsburg, Virginia. It also earned an “A” Grade for Hospital Safety from Leapfrog and a four-star rating from the federal government.

Learn more about Winchester Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Winchester, Virginia
• Hospital network: six facilities
• Employees: 3,500 

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

What makes a best hospital in Virginia

There are several factors that make a hospital a dream workplace. For example, patient satisfaction and growth opportunities.

Benefits

As with any job, Virginia nurses receive benefits in addition to their salary from the hospitals they work for. Usually, these are retirement benefits, educational assistance, bonuses and other competitive compensations. 

Growth opportunity

Working in the best hospitals, in Virginia or another state, typically increases growth opportunities. Nurse anesthetists or nurse practitioners, for example, can make a significant difference by developing their careers if they take the opportunities.

Employee satisfaction

As relevant as growth opportunities are to your career, employee satisfaction is equally important. Positive environments tend to reduce the risk of nurses experiencing job fatigue and burnout.

High patient satisfaction

Employee satisfaction results in high patient satisfaction. According to Harvard Business Review, hospitals with improved patient experience perform better financially. These metrics are also positively correlated with higher employee engagement.

Other factors that make a top hospital

Hospitals that perform well may still not be considered top hospitals. Becoming a top hospital depends on crucial factors, such as safety records and hospital ethics committees.

Safety record is critical

You probably already know about the risks of infection if you’re considering working full-time in a hospital. These infections can be prevented, in most cases, when healthcare professionals follow safety protocols. Among top hospitals, these standards are more likely to be used.

Hospital policies focus on customer services 

The best hospitals are those with excellent attitudes, manners, customer-centric cultures, and patient education initiatives.

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

The best hospitals in Virginia don’t fall behind in terms of technology. Their employees are generally interested in trends that can enhance their work and promote a high standard of health care.

Ethics lead the way

Having core ethical values in hospitals has many advantages for employers and patients. Besides that, it helps to manage complex cases, independent of the culture and the personality of the patients.

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Next steps

Working in one of the best hospitals in Virginia is a good option to elevate your skills and progress in your career—even if you’re an experienced nurse. But applying for a job demands the right strategies. 

Check out our resources, to help you find your dream job. Don’t forget to read our guides and the most frequently asked questions of those who, like you, are considering working in Virginia.

Build your resume

AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses) facilitates your journey to finding a job with its nursing resume guidelines. 

Learn more about it in our guide and discover how you should present your skills, your accredited certifications and other strong points that can set you apart from other candidates. 

Join a nurses association

Networking is very popular in business, but it can also be beneficial to nurses. Become a member of a nursing organization, where you can find a mentor, and/or a nursing union, where you can advocate for safety working conditions.

Attend industry educational conferences and workshops

Knowing the most recent skills, technology, and treatments also helps you take the next step in your career. Attend nursing conferences and put this into practice.

Keep up with continuing education requirements

Virginia has its own education requirements – make sure you follow them. 

Incredible Health is at your disposal with free CEU (Continuing Education Units) courses. Sign up and start learning!

Search for job openings

Most candidates have access to guides and other resources that help them find the best job opportunities. 

Our platform allows you to create a profile and have hospitals apply for you, which can make all the difference.

Transfer your nursing license to Virginia

You don’t need to be a Virginian to work in the best hospitals of the state. We’ve written a helpful guide on compact states for professionals who need to transfer their nursing licenses.

Sources

• “ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.” nursingworld.org. Accessed June 22, 2022.
• “Best Hospitals In Virginia: U.S. News 2020 Rankings” patch.com. Accessed June 22, 2022.
• Glassdoor. glassdoor.com. Accessed June 22, 2022.
• Medicare. medicare.gov. Accessed June 22, 2022.
• “Top-Rated Workplaces 2019: Best Hospitals.” indeed.com. Accessed June 22, 2022.
• “U.S. News Best Hospitals.” health.usnews.com. Accessed June 22, 2022.
• “When Patient Experience and Employee Engagement Both Improve, Hospitals’ Ratings and Profits Climb” hbr.org. Accessed June 27, 2022.
• “World’s Best Hospitals 2022.” newsweek.com. Accessed June 22, 2022.