Best Hospitals to Work for in Vermont

Career Resources / Job Searching / Best Hospitals Vermont

Have you ever considered moving to a state full of mountains, hiking trails and beautiful landscapes? Vermont, where nursing is considered one of the most promising careers in the state, may be the place for you.

We’ve listed seven hospitals that may have the job you always wanted.

Best Hospitals in Vermont

Here you’ll read about the best hospitals in Vermont, as determined by a number of trusted sources, including U.S. News & World Report, The Leapfrog Group, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Medicare and Healthgrades.

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Brattleboro Memorial Hospital

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital has a three-star rating from the federal government.

The facility received three Lamplighter Awards from The New England Society for Healthcare Communications for its excellence in healthcare marketing and communications in 2020. 

Learn more about Brattleboro Memorial Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit
• Location: Brattleboro, Vermont
• Employees: 600+

Central Vermont Medical Center

Central Vermont Medical Center, part of the University of Vermont Health Network, is rated high performing in hip fracture, pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) by U.S. News & World Report.

The hospital has received the Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission for its high standards in healthcare quality. It was also named one of the Top 20 Rural & Community Hospitals by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).

The federal government gave it a five-star rating and The Leapfrog Group gave it a “B” grade for its hospital safety. 

Learn more about Central Vermont Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Berlin, Vermont
• Hospital network: six facilities
• Employees: 1,700+

Copley Hospital

Copley Hospital is rated high performing in hip fracture by U.S. News & World Report.

The facility received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades in 2022 and was named a HEALTHSTRONG Hospital by iVantage Health Analytics for its excellence in care in 2014.

It also has a five-star rating from the federal government. 

Learn more about Copley Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Morrisville, Vermont
• Employees: 65+

Gifford Medical Center

Gifford Medical Center is rated high performing in hip fracture by U.S. News & World Report.

Its health system received the Spirit of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Award from The Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD) for its outstanding support of employees with disabilities in 2018.

The federal government gave it a four-star rating.

Learn more about Gifford Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Randolph, Vermont
• Hospital network: three facilities
• Employees: 700+ 

Rutland Regional Medical Center

Rutland Regional Medical Center is a Magnet hospital, which is an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) program that recognizes facilities with excellence in many areas — such as quality care, patient safety and professional development.

The hospital is rated high performing in urology and in three procedures or conditions, such as hip fracture and hip replacement, by U.S. News & World Report.

Rutland Regional Medical Center’s patient recovery service, the West Ridge Center, was recognized as a Patient-Centered Specialty Practice by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in 2021. The hospital also received the Workplace of the Year Award by the Advisory Board in 2018 and the Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission for its quality care.

It received a five-star rating from the federal government and an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for its hospital safety. 

Learn more about Rutland Regional Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Rutland, Vermont
• Employees: 1,600+

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center

Southwestern Vermont Health Care, a Magnet hospital, is rated high performing in hip fracture by U.S. News & World Report. 

The facility was considered one of the best hospitals in America by the Lown Institute in 2020. It has also received the Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission for its high standards in healthcare quality. 

The federal government gave it a four-star rating.

Learn more about Southwestern Vermont Health Care:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Bennington, Vermont
• Hospital network: six facilities
• Employees: 1,400+

University of Vermont Medical Center

The University of Vermont Medical Center is ranked No. 1 in Vermont and is rated high performing in 10 procedures or conditions, including colon cancer surgery, heart attack and kidney failure, by U.S. News & World Report.

The hospital received various recognitions from Healthgrades, such as the America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award and the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Critical and Pulmonary Care. It has received the Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission for its high standards in healthcare quality, behavioral health care and human services and home care. 

Learn more about University of Vermont Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Burlington, Vermont
• Hospital network: four facilities 
• Employees: 8,800+ (across the entire network)

What makes a best hospital in Vermont

Top hospitals have several factors that illustrate their great performance, such as high scores in patient satisfaction and the best safety practices.

Benefits

The best hospitals usually offer the best salary. But, considering other aspects of work motivation, like purpose and productivity, they also invest in competitive employee benefits, such as health insurance, paid time off and tuition assistance.

Growth opportunity

It’s desirable to have as many growth opportunities as possible in a job. Some of the best hospitals help a registered nurse to specialize and become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or a nurse practitioner, for instance.

Employee satisfaction

According to a Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) study, worker engagement strategies are correlated with a reduction in hospital-acquired complications, surgical complications and readmission rates. Satisfied nurses are also less likely to experience job fatigue and burnout, two prevalent health problems nowadays.

High patient satisfaction

Patient satisfaction is useful to measure healthcare delivery and quality care in general, as it provides tangible evidence of a hospital’s patient-centered approach and efficiency.

Other factors that make a top hospital

After reading about the basic aspects of competitive hospitals, learn more about the factors that also have a substantial impact on them, including safety practices and ethical values.

Safety record is critical

Hospital safety can be assured not only with protocols and infection spread control measures, but also with simple individual acts like hand washing before and after visiting each patient. That’s why any top hospital looks for nurses highly trained in these practices. 

Hospital policies focus on customer services 

There are easy ways to implement a customer service-oriented approach as a nurse, and the top hospitals appreciate it. Transform the patient experience by being attentive and responding quickly to patient queries.

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

From simple online appointments and mobile apps to advanced tools — such as photorealistic 3D ultrasound and image-guided therapy with augmented reality —  technology works more and more to improve patient care.

Ethics lead the way

A nurse, like any healthcare professional, must be able to make the right decisions in difficult situations, like when a patient refuses treatment. Academic hospitals, in particular, face an additional challenge when it comes to conducting research with humans.

Next steps

Getting hired by one of the above-listed Vermont hospitals may be one of your greatest accomplishments, whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced nurse.

Find out how to get a job as a nurse in top hospitals like these by reading on.

Build your resume

A resume is the beginning of your job search, and it must be built correctly. You can read our nursing resume guide to learn what information to include and where to place it. 

Join a nurses association

You can find countless networking opportunities by joining a nursing organization. They research, educate, and promote the development of their members. As a nurse, you may also be able to improve working conditions and rights by joining a nursing union.

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Attend industry educational conferences and workshops

Taking part in workshops and nursing conferences, or even conducting them, is another beneficial initiative to stay competitive in the labor market. Check out our advice on working in Vermont to learn more.

Keep up with continuing education requirements

Beyond being active in nurses’ associations and presenting an appealing resume, you also need to meet the state’s education requirements — including completing the minimum Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

We offer free Vermont CEU courses. Access them and stay up to date. 

Search for job openings

You don’t have to look for jobs alone. You can join Incredible Health to take advantage of our technology, which matches you with the right role at the right company.

Transfer your nursing license to Vermont

Nurses from other states can work in Vermont by transferring their nursing licenses. Our comprehensive guide explains every step in detail so that you will be fully prepared if you have to move.