- Share Story
-
-
-
Renowned for exceptional patient care, medical research and education, U.S. News and World Report named UT Southwestern Medical Center the No. 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2022-2023. This prestigious academic medical center offers exciting professional opportunities, whether you’re a recent grad transitioning to practice or an experienced nurse ready for new challenges.
Keep reading to learn about the nursing philosophy at UT Medical Center and how this Magnet facility encourages nurses to acquire new skills, collaborate and contribute to better patient care. We highlight benefits offered to employees, so you can see how UT Southwestern Medical Center might fit into your Dallas nursing career.
About UT Southwestern Medical Center
Founded in 1943 as a medical college, UT Southwestern Medical Center is a full-service academic medical center. With 18,800 employees, its mission is “promoting health and a healthy society that enables individuals to achieve their full potential.”
To achieve this mission, the center focuses activities on three areas:
- Educating physicians, scientists and caregivers to serve the needs of patients and society
- Discovering solutions for unmet needs, such as cures, treatments and prevention
- Healing patients through the best possible care today and improvement and innovation for better care tomorrow
The medical center delivers healthcare in about 80 specialties through two university hospitals, numerous clinics and affiliated institutions. On average, UT Medical Center sees more than 117,000 inpatients, 360,000 ER cases and almost 3 million outpatient visits a year, according to the center’s website.
UT Medical Center has four educational institutions, including UT Southwestern’s Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Professions and School of Public Health. The primary teaching hospital is Parkland Memorial, adjacent to the UT Southwestern Medical Center campus. The primary pediatric teaching hospital is the nearby Children’s Medical Center.
This top Dallas hospital also strives to advance medical knowledge through research and clinical trials. UT Medical Center invested $634.9 million in research in its 2022 fiscal year, with studies spanning cancer, neuroscience, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and diabetes.
University Hospital History
The medical center’s flagship hospital is William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. Its roots are in St. Paul Hospital, a 110-bed facility that opened in 1898. UT Southwestern Medical Center first partnered with St. Paul Hospital in the 1980s and purchased it in 2000.
In 2015, UT Medical Center unveiled a new 12-story, 460-bed facility to replace St. Paul, renaming it William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. A $502 million expansion brought the total number of beds to 751 in 2020.
Clements University Hospital is a modern facility designed to promote comfort and tranquility with the latest technology to ensure high-quality care. The facility includes specialized water treatment systems, an air filtration system delivering fresh air and chutes that immediately remove trash and dirty linens from patient care areas.
A second university hospital, Zale Lipshy Pavilion, opened in 1989. With 74 beds, it specializes in diagnosing and treating neurological diseases and providing spine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, psychiatry and rehabilitation care.
Nationally Ranked Specialties
UT Southwestern Medical Center consistently ranks among the top hospitals nationwide for world-class clinical expertise and outstanding patient care. These distinctions provide nurses with an opportunity to practice in many leading specialties.
Besides being the No. 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth for six consecutive years and the No. 2 hospital in Texas, U.S. News and World Report also nationally ranked the medical center in the following specialties in 2022-2023:
- No. 11 Urology
- No. 14 Cardiology and Heart Surgery
- No. 18 Diabetes and Endocrinology
- No. 21 Pulmonology and Lung Surgery
- No. 25 Cancer
- No. 26 Geriatrics
- No. 27 Rehabilitation
- No. 30 Neurology and Neurosurgery
- No. 38 Gastroenterology and GI Surgery
UT Medical Center has the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in North Texas and an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center, which provides the highest level of stroke care.
Working at UT Medical Center
This highly respected Dallas hospital prides itself on fostering a spirit of teamwork, camaraderie and respect among staff. UT Medical Center’s efforts to create a supportive environment have led to numerous awards, including:
- No. 3, Forbes Best Employers for New Grads, 2022
- No. 19, Forbes Best Large Employers, 2022
- No. 19, Forbes Best Employers for Diversity, 2022
- No. 21, Forbes Best Employers for Women, 2022
- Among 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare, Becker’s Hospital Review, 2022
- Top 100 Best Hospitals to Work For, HospitalCareers, 2021
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awarded UT Medical Center with Magnet status in 2016, with redesignation in 2021. The Magnet credential reflects nursing excellence and the support given by the medical center to its team of 3,400 nurses.
A History of Diversity
According to WalletHub data published in 2022, Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington are among the 25 most diverse cities in the nation. UT Southwestern Medical Center embraces this diversity, valuing the differences staff members bring to the workplace and believing a diverse culture is key for innovation.
The healthcare center has long woven inclusiveness into its fabric. In 1954, St. Paul Hospital blazed trails as the first Dallas hospital to allow African American doctors to practice.
Today, the President’s Council on Diversity and Inclusiveness fosters a respectful and equitable atmosphere, guiding the hospital’s recruitment and equal opportunity practices. Employees can work together through several groups, including:
- African American Business Resource Group
- Asian-Pacific Islander Business Resource Group
- Hispanic-Latino Business Resource Group
- LGBTA Business Resource Group
- Veterans Business Resource Group
- Women and Allies Business Resource Group
Employee Benefits
In addition to a competitive RN salary in Dallas, UT Southwestern offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health coverage, retirement plans and paid time off. Temporary and student employees may also receive some perks.
Some staff benefits are listed below, but be sure to confirm eligibility with your recruiter.
- Choice of PPO and ACO plans for medical coverage
- Prescription drug plan
- Choice of vision and dental plans
- Full coverage for preventative health (no co-pay)
- Wellness and employee assistance programs
- Retirement plans with employee contribution matching
- Accrued vacation and sick leave
- Paid holidays from the first day of employment
- Tuition reimbursement after 12 months of employment
- Short and long-term disability coverage
- Voluntary group life coverage
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- On-site daycare
- Employee discount programs
Nursing Practice at UT Southwestern
Recognizing that job satisfaction plays a role in better patient outcomes, the hospital provides an environment where RNs can practice professionally and have a voice in decision-making. Creativity, innovation, continuing education and research are encouraged.
ANCC appraisers noted that nurses participating in collaborative practices were given “exemplary support,” according to UT Medical Center’s 2021 Nursing Annual Report. The facility quickly implemented some changes suggested by nurses to help improve patient care.
The annual report also noted the results of a 2021 survey of nurses’ job satisfaction. UT Southwestern Medical Center exceeded national benchmarks for professional development, leadership support, teamwork, interprofessional relationships, nursing foundations for quality of care and resources. It fully met the national benchmark for autonomy. More than 2,000 UT Southwestern nurses and APRNs completed the survey.
Professional Growth for Nurses at UT Medical Center
Several programs are in place to help nurses progress up a career ladder and grow their skills and knowledge.
RN Fellowship Program for Experienced Nurses
Experienced nurses interested in expanding their practice into another specialty can apply for a nursing fellowship in one of the following areas:
- Acute Medical Care
- Acute Surgical Care
- Intensive Care Unit
- Emergency Department
- Psychiatry
- Rehabilitation
- Women’s Services
- Progressive Care
- Oncology
- Operating Room
- Post Anesthesia Care Unit
- Ambulatory Care
The 6-month fellowship provides you with the support of an experienced RN, as well as online, classroom and skill-based learning to help you practice independently in your new specialty. Applications are accepted three times a year from internal and external candidates.
Residency Program for New Nurses
Recent nursing graduates and RNs with less than a year of experience can apply to UT Medical Center’s nurse residency program. This year-long program helps you acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to transition into clinical practice and succeed in nursing.
Nurse-Driven Research
Research is essential for advancing medical knowledge and is a core activity at UT Southwestern Medical Center. It has put a framework into place to encourage greater involvement by nurses in the research and distribution of knowledge. These initiatives include nursing research fellowships and the support of nurses presenting at conferences. In 2021, at least 56 nurse-driven research studies focused on improving patient care occurred.
Working as a Travel Nurse in Texas
If you’ve considered visiting or living in Texas, RNs are in high demand in the Lone Star State. UT Medical Center and other Dallas hospitals often hire travel nurses from across the United States if you want a temporary nursing contract. You can combine an opportunity to work at one of the nation’s best healthcare facilities while traveling and discovering local attractions.
There’s plenty to keep you busy in the nation’s fourth-largest metropolitan area. Check out the 360-degree view of Dallas from Reunion Tower, explore the Sixth Floor Museum, pick up fresh produce at the Dallas Farmers Market and enjoy live music in Deep Ellum.
Transportation and Amenities
Located about a 10-minute drive northeast of downtown Dallas, off I-35E Stemmons Freeway, UT Southwestern Medical Center is easily accessible by public transportation. Two DART rail stops and several bus stops on campus provide rides to and from work, and a free campus shuttle lets you hop on and off between buildings.
UT Southwestern employees receive discounted DART passes. Employee parking is available if you drive to work, but you must pay for the privilege.
Both university hospitals have cafeterias offering sandwiches, soups, salads, grill items and daily specials. There are also food options in or next to each clinic building. Clements University Hospital has a first-floor dining area with multiple options to tempt your taste buds, including Asian and Latin cuisine, Starbucks and a to-go food stand with sushi, snacks and desserts. Relax and unwind in the bright, airy dining pavilion or outside in a landscaped area. For added convenience, there’s a Walgreens in Professional Office Building 1.
Contact Information
UT Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75390
(214) 648-3111
