10 Great Healthcare Employers in Tulsa

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Tulsa combines the amenities of a big city with a small-town vibe, making it a great place to live in Oklahoma and begin your nursing career or start a new chapter. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy boating on the Arkansas River, hiking local trails and visiting the many parks in the area. If you prefer to stay indoors, Tulsa also has museums, performing arts centers and plenty of good restaurants. In addition to full-time and part-time opportunities for staff nurses and allied health professionals, many healthcare employers in Tulsa also hire travel nurses and travel allied health workers on a contract basis.

The healthcare facilities below are frequently ranked among the best hospitals in Tulsa by independent outlets like U.S. News & World Report. We selected the hospitals on the list based on employee and facility reviews and their range of specialty work available. Facilities are listed in no particular order, as this isn’t intended to be a “Top 10” list.  

1. St. Francis Hospital

St. Francis Hospital has a medical/surgical ICU, a cardiac ICU and an on-site emergency department, making it an attractive employment option for nurses interested in trauma and critical care. As one of the largest emergency care providers in the region, St. Francis has a convertible area designed for handling mass casualties from natural disasters and other events and room for up to 14 ambulances at a time. The hospital accommodates more than 120,000 emergency department visits each year.

As the anchor of the St. Francis Health System, St. Francis Hospital ranked No. 1 in Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma, with high-performing marks in 11 procedures or conditions. Some of its top services include a comprehensive stroke center, labor and delivery program, joint rehabilitation and spine center, physical medicine and rehabilitation and cardiovascular surgery, among others. Altogether, the facility boasts 1,112 patient beds. 

St. Francis advertises several perks to help employees achieve a satisfying work-life balance, including flexible spending accounts, adoption benefits, tuition reimbursement and an employee assistance program. The hospital also offers the following:

• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Basic retirement plan
• 401(k) plan

2. Ascension St. John Medical Center

Ascension St. John Medical Center ranks as the second-best hospital in Tulsa and Oklahoma, with high marks in eight procedures or conditions.  As a Level II Trauma Center, Ascension St. John frequently cares for patients with critical injuries and illnesses. The hospital has a reputation for providing advanced specialty care, particularly for patients who need services related to stroke, orthopedics, women’s health, cancer and cardiac conditions.

Due to its reputation for providing quality care, Ascension St. John has received several awards and accreditations. Some of its most prestigious include the American College of Cardiology NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award, the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation by the American College of Radiology and the Comprehensive Stroke Center designation by the Joint Commission.

As part of Ascension Healthcare, St. John Medical Center offers a personalized benefits package to every employee. Depending on the individual’s employment status and role within the organization, each package may include the following benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Health savings accounts
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance
• Travel and entertainment discounts
• Parental leave
• Paid holidays

3. Ascension St. John Broken Arrow Hospital

St. John Broken Arrow Hospital is part of the Ascension Healthcare network,  has 68 licensed beds and serves as a Level IV trauma center for the area. Ascension St John Broken Arrow Hospital stabilizes patients with critical injuries and illnesses, then transfers them to higher-level trauma centers, making the hospital an important resource for Broken Arrow and surrounding communities.

The hospital ranked high-performing in three orthopedic procedures, including hip and knee replacement and treating hip fractures. Accolades include a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a TMF Hospital Quality Improvement Silver Award and a 5-Star patient satisfaction award from Professional Research Consultants.

What makes Ascension St. John Broken Arrow Hospital one of the best hospitals in Tulsa for nurses is its 12-month nursing residency program. During the program, new nurses participate in simulations, work through self-guided learning modules and have opportunities to explore different career paths. It also has specialty career pathways available for nurses in this program. Available benefits include health insurance, vision and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, parental leave and adoption assistance.

4. Hillcrest Medical Center

Hillcrest Medical Center has 656 beds and provides a wide range of specialty services. Due to the introduction of the TeamBirth program, it’s one of the best hospitals in Tulsa for nurses interested in caring for expectant mothers. TeamBirth helps improve communication among everyone involved in labor and delivery, including patients, doulas, nurses and physicians, enhancing maternal and fetal outcomes. Its Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Health Center offers premier services exclusively for women’s health.

Hillcrest Medical Center is also known for its burn care and wound care programs. The Alexander Burn Center was the first of its kind in Oklahoma and is now a regional burn center. Patients come from all over the region to access intensive care for life-threatening burns. Its wound care center offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy, compression therapy, surgical wound treatment and other treatments for diabetic ulcers, gangrene, bone infections and other serious wounds. 

Hillcrest is part of Ardent Health, consistently recognized as one of the best healthcare employers. The hospital earned national recognition with a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade of “A” in spring 2022. It strives to provide its employees with numerous opportunities to develop, grow and earn the recognition they deserve. It offers comprehensive benefits to support its team members, including health and dental insurance, prescription coverage, health and flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pet insurance and retirement accounts for eligible employees.

5. Oklahoma Surgical Hospital

Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (OSH) is a physician-owned hospital with high standards for quality clinical outcomes and patient care. More than 380,000 patients have received care at the hospital since it opened, and OSH surgeons have performed approximately 226,000 procedures. As the facility’s name implies, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital specializes in caring for patients needing surgical procedures, making it one of the best hospitals in Tulsa for nurses interested in working in the operating room. 

Its nurses receive special training to address the special needs of surgical patients and develop expertise in pain management following an operation. The facility’s defining quality is its low nurse-to-patient ratio, making it a great healthcare employer for nurses wishing to provide exceptional care in an environment with less stress.

As of late 2022, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital employs more than 500 people. Eligible employees have access to a wide range of benefits, including health insurance, dental insurance, paid time off, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and a 401(k) plan. 

6. Oklahoma State University Medical Center

Oklahoma State University Medical Center is one of the nation’s largest osteopathic teaching hospitals with a nationally recognized Level I Trauma Center, 11 residency programs and 9 fellowship programs. OSU Medical Center’s externship program makes it one of the best hospitals in Tulsa for nurses. This paid program allows nursing students in their third year of an ADN or BSN program to work alongside experienced registered nurses in clinical areas. It lasts 12 weeks and exposes student nurses to various procedures and medical conditions, effectively preparing them for full-time nursing after graduation.

For experienced staff nurses, OSU Medical Center offers flexible scheduling, opportunities for PRN work and competitive compensation. The hospital provides a wide range of career paths, from caring for patients in the emergency department to working with patients who’ve undergone coronary artery bypass procedures. Full-time and part-time employees qualify for paid time off, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance and comprehensive health, vision and dental coverage. Full-time employees also have access to paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance and a 457(b) retirement plan.

7. PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Tulsa

PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Tulsa is a 53-bed facility that specializes in helping patients recover from acute illnesses and injuries, making it a good fit for nurses interested in orthopedics, neurology and helping treat cardiopulmonary disorders. Designed with rehabilitation in mind, every room of the hospital has an accessible bathroom. PAM Rehabilitation Hospital also has gyms featuring the latest technology to help patients recover from serious medical conditions. As part of the Post Acute Medical Network of hospitals, PAM Rehabilitation Hospital believes in putting patients first and providing individualized treatment for those recovering from life-altering illnesses or injuries.

Nurses and other employees qualify for various benefits depending on their roles and employment status. In addition to standard health, vision and dental coverage, PAM Rehabilitation Hospital offers supplemental life, auto, home and pet insurance options. Employees may also qualify for retirement benefits, paid time off, education benefits and flexible spending accounts.

8. Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute at Brookhaven Hospital

The Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute (NRI) at Brookhaven Hospital has several programs to help patients with traumatic brain injuries, depression and other behavioral and neurological disorders. These programs include individual counseling, group counseling, medication management and other services. NRI hires RNs and LPNs for full-time and per diem positions, giving employees added flexibility.

NRI has an inpatient neurobehavioral rehabilitation program that provides specialized care for patients with depression, confusion and other TBI symptoms. Nurses play an important role in this program, providing ongoing supervision and care to prevent patients from hurting themselves as they work to recover from their injuries. NRI also offers vocational rehabilitation and other services to help patients transition back into the community.

As part of the Vizion Health portfolio, qualifying NRI employees can expect medical, dental and vision benefits. This healthcare employer also offers health savings accounts, disability insurance, bereavement leave, sick pay, a discount program and flexible scheduling.

9. Bailey Medical Center

Located less than 20 miles from Tulsa in Owasso, Bailey Medical Center is part of the Hillcrest HealthCare System and Ardent Health Services. It offers a wide range of services, including an emergency department, a well-staffed labor and delivery unit and a sleep center. The hospital also has clinics for pain management, women’s health services, orthopedic care and cardiac care. Bailey Hospital’s bariatric center employs some of the top weight-loss surgeons in Oklahoma.

Depending on staffing needs, Bailey Medical Center sometimes offers sign-on bonuses for new nurses. Employees receive competitive wages and access to an array of benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and tuition reimbursement. 

10. Tulsa Spine and Specialty Hospital

Tulsa Spine and Specialty Hospital (TSSH) is part of the Hillcrest HealthCare System and specializes in pain management, diagnostic imaging and surgical services. Its physicians use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, allowing patients to leave the hospital sooner and recover faster. In addition to general surgery, the surgeons at TSSH perform advanced procedures on every body system, from the eyes and ears to the reproductive tract.

TSSH is an Ardent Health hospital, so nurses and other employees receive a full suite of benefits. Eligible employees may receive affordable health coverage, vision and dental benefits, life insurance and pet insurance. TSSH also offers retirement benefits, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts.

Although this list doesn’t include every hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it includes a well-rounded list of those generally well-ranked by employees and patients. If you’re interested in becoming a nurse in Tulsa, one of these facilities may be a good fit for your needs.