Best Hospitals to Work for in North Carolina

Career Resources / Job Searching / Best Hospitals North Carolina

When working in healthcare, you’re allowed many opportunities for growth and advancement. One of these opportunities is moving somewhere else, like North Carolina, which can provide a nice change. 

With Magnet hospitals in North Carolina, you have a chance to work in accredited hospitals that are focused on care for their patients and staff. Magnet hospitals are based on standards set forth by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Less than 600 hospitals in the country have earned this honor.

Every hospital named on this list is a Magnet hospital as determined by the ANCC’s criteria. Let’s read about the best hospitals in North Carolina and what they do to provide quality care.

North Carolina’s Top Hospital

• Atrium Health-Carolinas Medical Center
• Catawba Valley Medical Center
• Duke Raleigh Hospital
• Duke University Hospital
• Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
• UNC Rex Hospital
• Wakemed, Raleigh Campus

---

---

Best hospitals in North Carolina

The following hospitals have been rated using websites such as the ANCC, U.S. News & World Report, and Medicare. Other trusted employment websites, like Glassdoor and LinkedIn, have also been used to compile their rankings.

Atrium Health-Carolinas Medical Center

Carolinas Medical Center of the Atrium Health network is nationally ranked in 8 pediatric specialties, rated high-performing in 4 adult specialties and 14 procedures and conditions, and regionally ranked number 3 in North Carolina. It is ranked number 1 in Charlotte, and its Children’s division is ranked number 2 in North Carolina and number 5 in the Southeast by the U.S. News & World Report. It has received a designation of 3 out of 5 stars by the federal government. This hospital has also received their fourth consecutive ELSO Award for Excellence in 2020.

Learn more about Atrium Health-Carolinas Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Hospital network: 2 locations
• Physicians: 1,100

Catawba Valley Medical Center

The Catawba Valley Medical Center has received the Premier Excellence in Patient Safety Award by the Premier Hospital Improvement Innovation Network. The federal government has issued it 4 out of 5 stars. It was also awarded the Women’s Choice Awards for America’s Best Hospital for Patient Experience in Obstetrics for 9 years in a row.

Learn more about Catawba Valley Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Hickory, NC
• Hospital network: 24 locations
• Employees: 2,000

Duke Raleigh Hospital

Duke Raleigh Hospital has been rated high-performing in 1 adult specialty and 5 procedures and conditions by the U.S. News & World Report. The federal government has given it 3 out of 5 stars. It has also received a Hospital Safety Score “A” from The Leapfrog Group.

Learn more about Duke Raleigh Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Raleigh, NC
• Hospital network: 1 location
• Employees: 2,000

Duke University Hospital

Duke University Hospital is regionally ranked number 1 in North Carolina, and number 1 in Raleigh-Durham. Its Children’s division has ranked number 1 in North Carolina and number 4 in the Southeast.  Overall, it is nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties and 9 pediatric specialties, and rated high performing in 2 adult specialties and 17 procedures and conditions by the U.S. News & World Report. It has received 4 out of 5 stars from the federal government. It also has a Hospital Safety Score “A” from The Leapfrog Group.

Learn more about Duke University Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Durham, NC
• Hospital network: 1 location
• Employees: 11,000

Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center

Rated as high-performing in 6 adult procedures and conditions, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center is also regionally ranked number 16 in North Carolina, and number 3 in Greensboro/Winston-Salem by the U.S. News & World Report. The federal government has given this hospital 4 out of 5 stars. It is also honored with the Gold Achievement Award by American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline Program.

Learn more about Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Winston-Salem, NC
• Hospital network: 15 locations
• Physicians: 1,800

UNC Rex Hospital

UNC Rex Hospital is rated as high-performing in 1 adult specialty and 18 procedures and conditions, and is regionally ranked number 3 in North Carolina and number 3 in Raleigh-Durham by the U.S. News & World Report. It has 5 out of 5 stars from the federal government. It is listed on Newsweek Magazine’s ranking of the “World’s Best Hospitals” for 2021. 

Learn more about UNC Rex Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Raleigh, NC
• Hospital network: 1 location
• Physicians: 6,400

Wakemed, Raleigh Campus

Nationally ranked in 1 adult specialty, Wakemed, Raleigh Campus is rated as high-performing in 8 adult procedures and conditions, while also being regionally ranked number 12 in North Carolina and number 5 in Raleigh-Durham by the U.S. News & World Report. The federal government has given this hospital 3 out of 5 stars. It is also the best hospital/health system to work for in North Carolina, according to a ranking published by Forbes magazine.

Learn more about Wakemed, Raleigh Campus:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Raleigh, NC
• Hospital network: 1 location
• Nurses: 8,500

What makes a best hospital in North Carolina

Hospitals with Magnet status have many common features, such as impressive benefits, opportunities for growth, and satisfaction for both employees and patients.

Benefits

Beyond their awards and accreditations, hospitals in North Carolina provide value in their salaries and benefits for nurses as well. These can include vacation time, sick leave, employee discounts, financial assistance for certain home buying and tuition programs, wellness benefits, and more.

Growth opportunity

The chance to grow in the healthcare industry is why many nurses pursue this career path. With opportunities to advance as nurse anesthetists (CRNA) or nurse practitioners, nurses seek out new employers for continued education and added responsibilities.

Employee satisfaction

In a healthcare setting, the importance of employee satisfaction should not be overlooked. Positive environments foster higher employee satisfaction, and it also helps to reduce job fatigue or burnout.

High patient satisfaction 

Patient satisfaction is key, and often a reflection of employee satisfaction. Pleasant work environments provide more gratification and peace of mind for both patients and employees.

Other factors that make a top hospital 

Working at a top hospital also means there’s a focus on safety practices, customer service, technological advancements, and ethical practices.

Safety record is critical

Safety should be a priority for a hospital’s standards. Safety records demonstrate a commitment to procedures and protocol. 

To better reduce or prevent infection, healthcare professionals should carry out top-of-the-line techniques and implement safety standards. A majority of hospitals with these measures help to prevent infection.

Hospital policies focus on customer services 

Hospitals are a customer-centric space, and the focus on customer service helps to determine which hospitals are reliable.

When there are policies in place to benefit patients, this demonstrates a level of care and makes hospitals in North Carolina a desirable place for employment.

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

Implementing new technologies and training tools shows care for patients and staff. When hospitals set higher standards for diagnosis and treatment, it improves patient care.

Hospitals that stay up-to-date with technological trends and constantly train in new skills promote a higher standard of health delivery. The top North Carolina hospitals with these practices demonstrate preparedness for emergencies.

Ethics lead the way

When hospital systems lead with ethics, they put people at the forefront. 

Ethical standards in healthcare create a better connection and management system for patients, regardless of their situation. When hospitals in North Carolina focus on delivering quality healthcare to all patients, they’re providing ethical and invaluable service.

Next steps

Experienced nurses and recent graduates alike are searching for work within their particular nursing expertise. When choosing one of the above-listed hospitals in North Carolina, these institutions work toward elevating your skills and aspirations within nursing.

Finding a job without the proper strategies can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! These simple guides will help to provide the tools you need to land your dream job as a nurse in North Carolina’s top hospitals.

Build your resume

To better stand out against other candidates, make sure you’re personalizing your resume for the hospital and specific job posting each time. Showcase your skills, knowledge, and accredited certifications and pair them with solid references to speak to your quality of work.

Join a nurses association

Networking is a vital asset to finding job opportunities and connecting with others in your field. Joining a nurses association can be beneficial for this.

If your state has a nurses union, look into the pros and cons of what joining can do for you.

---

---

Attend industry educational conferences and workshops. 

Industry events are another great way to connect and learn relevant skills. With healthcare’s constant  advancements, staying knowledgeable is important.

Attending educational conferences, workshops, and other events will allow you to hone in on new technologies and techniques that will make you stand out against other candidates. These are helpful opportunities for getting advice in nursing in North Carolina.

Keep up with continuing education requirements

Since different states have different education requirements, it’s crucial to stay up to speed. Incredible Health’s free CEU courses will allow you to remain informed.

Sign up to access North Carolina’s license requirements as well.

Search for job openings

There are a variety of resources meant to aid in your job search for open positions at hospitals in North Carolina. Our platform is one of them that helps to streamline the process.

If you’re interested, create a profile now and hospitals will apply to you! 

Transfer your nursing license to North Carolina

If you’re coming from out of state and want to work in North Carolina, learning your options is essential. Coming from a compact state to another compact state has certain guidelines, which are much easier to transfer. Noncompact states, however, are another process. Read this guide to learn more.

Sources

• Health Care Ratings and Reports leapfroggroup.org Accessed July 5, 2022.
• “ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.” nursingworld.org. Accessed July 5, 2022.
• Glassdoor. glassdoor.com Accessed July 5, 2022.
• Medicare. medicare.gov Accessed July 5, 2022.
• “U.S. News Best Hospitals.” health.usnews.com Accessed July 5, 2022.
• “World’s Best Hospitals 2021.” newsweek.com Accessed July 5, 2022.
• Award of Excellence elso.org Accessed July 5, 2022.
• Wakemed Company Rating forbes.com Accessed July 5, 2022