Being the best employer for nurses in Southern California makes us Sharp

At Sharp, we’re committed to providing the best working environment for our nurses. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we have been rewarded with the highest rating in Southern California according to MIT Sloan Management Review’s latest Nursing Satisfaction Index.

“With our organizational goal to be the best place to work, we have put in place structures and processes to advance and improve,” says Susan Stone, senior vice president of health system operations and system chief nursing executive. “We have created a culture of engagement and empowerment and have prioritized the voice of our team members.”

Stone and everyone at Sharp believe that the way we approach the employee experience translates to nurse satisfaction and extraordinary care for patients and their family members.  

What sets Sharp apart?

When the results came in, there were four main reasons why Sharp stood out.

Organizational support

At Sharp, we support our staff by listening to them. Whether through nurse-led and nurse leader–led collaborative decision-making groups, our annual employee engagement survey, employee groups or listening and learning tours, we’re always giving our nurses a platform to speak openly and safely about life at Sharp. As a result of this open communication, we create ongoing improvement plans assuring nurses their concerns are being listened to and their needs will be met.

We also have developed extensive programs to advance and support nurses. This includes:

• A nationally renowned nursing residency program for new graduate nurses
• Programs for nurses who strive to increase their practice by level of care
• A leadership academy for nurses interested in moving into leadership positions
• Mentor programs
• Tuition-free education
• An annual scholarship that distributes nearly $200,000 for nurses to advance their education

Last, but not least. We support our nurses through a comprehensive benefits package that goes above and beyond to care for those who care for our community. Learn more about our benefits.

Supportive management and positive culture

One constant throughout the results of the index is the supportive and positive environment cultivated by leadership at Sharp. They are consistently praised for listening to staff and determining the best courses of action to serve their needs. The ability to lead at such a high level has earned Sharp’s hospitals Magnet designations and Planetree Gold Certifications.

Sharp’s culture of support extends from leadership to all staff. Nurses at Sharp work as a team and have each other’s backs. This has created a community of passionate and productive nurses who chose to stay at Sharp while thriving and advancing their careers, even during the most trying of times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Balanced workload

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals and health care systems reported some of the highest turnover rates — as high as 30% in some states.

It was hard to escape the stresses that arose from the pandemic, including extended hours to provide the necessary care for all patients. Despite this adversity, Sharp supported a healthy work environment.

We also monitor workload and productivity on an ongoing basis. Comparisons to local, regional and national benchmarks validate and verify our appropriate workload levels.

This also carries over to compensation, which helps us attract the best and brightest nurses in the area.

Join our award-winning team

If you’re a nurse looking for the ideal health care system to build your career in Southern California, learn more about available jobs.

Learn more about our rating as the top health care system in Southern California for nurse satisfaction.

Hear from current nurses to learn more about Sharp.