Nursing work environments shape far more than a single shift. They influence patient safety, clinical outcomes, and how fulfilled nurses feel in their careers.
Key takeaways
- The 2026 Top Workplaces for Nursing Award recognizes 54 healthcare organizations that excel in creating supportive and engaging environments for nurses.
- Strong nursing work environments are linked to lower burnout, better retention, improved patient outcomes, and higher job satisfaction.
- Top-performing workplaces consistently prioritize responsive leadership, clear communication, teamwork, mental health support, and career development.
- The awards are based on anonymous employee survey feedback collected by Energage in partnership with Nurse.com, highlighting organizations where nurses feel valued and supported.
At a time when burnout and workforce shortages remain ongoing challenges, supportive work environments are a must.
The 2026 Top Workplaces for Nursing Award highlights employers that are setting a higher standard when it comes to addressing these challenges. These organizations demonstrate that strong nursing work environments lead to better experiences for nurses and better outcomes for patients.
2026 Top Workplaces for Nursing Award Winners
Developed in partnership by Nurse.com and Energage, the Top Workplaces recognition is determined by anonymous employee survey data, capturing honest insights into leadership effectiveness and organizational culture.
What sets these 54 organizations apart is a shared commitment to supporting their nursing staff in meaningful, measurable ways. Winners are listed by size group in rank order based on the strength of their employee survey feedback.
Large (500 employees or more)
- Nightingale Education Group
- Goodwin Living
- Children’s Health
- Scottish Rite for Children
- Orlando Health
- Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics
- Agape Care Group
- Sheltering Arms Institute
- St. Luke’s University Health Network
- Greater Regional Health
- View Point Health
- Ochsner Health
- Adventist HealthCare
- Erie Family Health Centers
- Chapters Health System
- ChildServe
- Lakewood Health System
- Monogram Heath
- Healthmap Solutions
- St. Ann’s Community
- Carson Tahoe Health
- VITAS Healthcare
- Hospital for Special Care
- Licking Memorial Health Systems
- WinnMed
- Fort HealthCare, Inc.
- Ohio State University Physicians
- Adventist Health
- Hillsdale Hospital
- Nexus Health Systems
Midsize (150 to 499 employees)
- Compass Memorial Healthcare
- Paradigm Health
- Bloom Healthcare
- Nathan Adelson Hospice
- Perinatal Associates of New Mexico
- MedWatch, LLC
- Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital
- Local Infusion
- Northern Virginia Healthcare Center Commission
- Unity Hospice and Palliative Care
- Stoughton Health
- Aspire Home Health Care, LLC
- Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin
- AVALA
- The Nurse Practitioner Group LLC
- Kossuth Regional Health Center
- Van Diest Medical Center
- Masonic Home of Virginia
- FlexCare
Small (35 to 149 employees)
Why nursing work environments matter
The quality of nursing work environments has a direct impact on both staff and patients. According to our 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report, 23% of nurses were considering leaving the profession, while 60% reported that lack of responsive leadership was a work aspect that negatively affected their mental health.
Research shows poor work environments are associated with:
- Increased risk of errors
- Lower patient satisfaction
- Higher turnover
- Reduced continuity of care
- Emotional exhaustion among nursing staff
Supportive environments, on the other hand, can improve engagement, retention, and care delivery.
What defines the best nursing work environments
Across all 54 Top Workplaces for Nursing winners, several key traits consistently stand out:
Responsive leadership
Leadership engagement is strongly associated with lower burnout rates and better retention. In supportive nursing work environments, leaders are visible, approachable, and responsive to frontline feedback. This creates an environment where nurses feel genuinely heard and see meaningful changes implemented.
“I am surrounded by incredible leaders who all strive to do what is best for our patients and associates,” said one employee. “…Our leadership team values integrity, and they lead in a loving way.”
Clear communication
Clear, transparent communication is a defining feature of the best nursing work environments. Expectations are well defined, information is shared openly, and nurses are included in decisions that directly impact their daily work.
“Culture is one of positivity and open communication,” said one staff member, noting that leadership is collaborative and works closely with the entire team.
Respectful workplace culture
A culture of respect is embedded in everyday interactions. Nurses in high-performing organizations consistently report feeling valued, supported, and psychologically safe in their roles.
“I feel comfortable bringing up my discomfort when it arises. I never feel stupid for asking questions or questioning something,” one employee shared.
“I feel valued. I feel safe. I have people who believe in me. I am respected,” said another staff member.
Strong teamwork
Collaboration across teams creates smoother workflows and better patient care experiences.
“The company culture fosters a strong sense of collaboration, where everyone is supportive and willing to help each other, making it a positive and enjoyable environment to work in,” said another employee.
Mental health support
With nurse burnout remaining a critical issue, the best nursing work environments prioritize mental health and well-being. This includes access to support resources, flexible scheduling, and staffing models that reflect realistic workloads.
“My leadership team is the best I have experienced,” said one employee. “They are very understanding and flexible. They understand that life happens and make my mental health a priority.”
Career growth opportunities
Opportunities for professional development are a key driver of long-term nurse retention. Leading organizations invest in continuing education, specialty certifications, and leadership development to help nurses advance their careers.
“I love my job because it gives me an opportunity for growth,” said one team member. “My leaders give a listening ear to my concerns and are supportive in my career growth.”
The link between nursing work environments and patient care
Research consistently highlights the strong connection between nursing work environments and the quality of patient care. When nurses feel supported, both professionally and emotionally, they’re better able to focus on delivering attentive, safe, and effective care. This improves patient outcomes and fosters a culture of trust and collaboration within healthcare teams.
As one nurse shared, “I enjoy providing comfort and care to patients and their families during difficult times.” They added that they have empathy and dedication to improving patient health and well-being, while working in a field that offers constant opportunities to learn, grow, and take on new challenges.
“I love my job because it’s meaningful, supportive, and gives me the chance to make a positive impact every day,” added another employee.
How Top Workplaces for Nursing winners are evaluated and recognized
Employee survey company Energage, an employee survey company based in suburban Philadelphia, has partnered with Nurse.com for a second year to honor the best places for nurses to work.
The award is verified and earned through an employee survey process. Workplaces where employees offer positive feedback about their experience make the winners' list.
Energage analyzes feedback based on responses to 26 core questions, plus additional questions specific to the nursing experience. The survey asks employees for their feedback on such factors as pay and benefits, direction, leadership, meaningfulness, and appreciation. Additional questions ask, for example, whether workers feel they’re supported to provide safe patient care, and Energage scores companies based on the responses.
There is no cost to employers to survey employees. If they choose, organizations can purchase the survey data from Energage. There is no obligation for winners to purchase any product or service.
For the 2026 winners list, hundreds of organizations were asked to survey their employees, and 90 agreed to do so. Based on the survey feedback, 54 have earned recognition as Top Workplaces for Nursing.
"Earning a Top Workplaces award is a celebration of excellence," said Eric Rubino, Chief Executive Officer of Energage. "It serves as a reminder of the vital role a people-first workplace experience plays in achieving success."
Is your employer a Top Workplace for Nursing?
Do you feel supported and valued at your workplace? It might be time for your organization to get the recognition it deserves.
Nominations for the 2027 Top Workplaces for Nursing are now open, offering a chance to highlight employers that truly put nurses first. Organizations are eligible if they have at least 50 nurses on staff or if nurses make up 35% or more of their workforce. The nomination process is simple, free, and designed to elevate workplaces making a real difference.
Take a moment to recognize a workplace that’s helping shape a better future for nurses by submitting a nomination today.
