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As a nurse living in Denver, Colorado, working at St. Joseph Hospital offers a blended experience of the beautiful surrounding area, thriving city culture and a career driven by compassion. Working alongside a team of dedicated healthcare professionals, the hospital offers cutting-edge medical technology and a rich history of healing. It’s a place where the commitment to providing exceptional patient care makes it an inspiring and rewarding workplace for nurses and allied health professionals in any field.
Saint Joseph Hospital is one of the many excellent hospitals in Denver. Read this employer spotlight to see if this facility offers what you’re looking for in your next travel nurse job or permanent staff nurse job in Denver.
Overview of St. Joseph Hospital
Photo Credit: Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Saint Joseph Hospital is Denver’s most extensive private teaching hospital. Welcoming patients from all walks of life, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth founded the hospital in 1873. It has remained rooted in providing traditional hospital services from a faith-based perspective when it opened its new state-of-the-art hospital in 2014. St. Joseph is a general medical hospital that uses the EPIC system, has 400 beds and employs around 2,000 people. Vivian users confirm an ideal patient ratio of 4:1.
Located in the City Park West neighborhood of Denver, Saint Joseph is one of eight facilities run by the faith-based health system formerly known as Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health Services Corporation (SCL/HSC) before taking the name SCL Health. In April 2023, SCL merged with and took on the health system name Intermountain Healthcare. This new health system encompasses 33 hospitals and 385 clinics in communities within the following seven states:
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Montana
- Nevada
- Utah
- Wyoming
Mission, Vision and Principles
On its website, St. Joseph Hospital states, “When you need healthcare, a dose of good humor never hurts.” As a healthcare professional or patient, this value is too often overlooked and says a lot about the atmosphere St. Joseph Hospital creates. It also stands in the firm belief in God’s healing love to improve health and strives to improve the community’s health. Other values include:
- Caring Spirit
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Safety
- Stewardship
Awards, Honors and Accreditations
St. Joseph Hospital is known for its comprehensive healthcare services, high-quality care and commitment to community engagement. It’s no wonder it’s ranked the No. 3 hospital in Colorado and the No. 2 hospital in Denver, according to the U.S. News & World Report, 2023-2024.
The hospital proudly holds multiple prestigious awards, which include:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition since 2017
- 5-star patient excellence rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Multiple 3-star ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
- “A” grade for Hospital Safety from Leapfrog Group in Spring 2022
- Chest Pain – MI Registry awards from the American College of Cardiology in 2022
- Guardian of Excellence Award in 2021
Top Specialties at St. Joseph Hospital
U.S. News & World Report ranked St. Joseph Hospital as high performing in two adult specialties and 12 procedures/conditions in 2023-24. According to its website and various reviews, the hospital is best known for geriatrics, pulmonology and cancer care.
Geriatrics
St. Joseph Hospital is recognized nationally as a high-ranking hospital for treating those 75 years and older. The geriatric population needs specialized care when treated for illness. The healthcare staff and Geriatrics RNs recognize these significant differences at St. Joseph Hospital. Its ranking is due to the facility’s dedication to better patient outcomes for people in this demographic, better survival odds and fewer complications.
Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
With a dedicated team of respiratory experts, St. Joseph Hospital has earned a reputation as high-performing in pulmonology & lung surgery. The hospital employs Registered Respiratory Therapists and other specialists to provide a broad spectrum of care for lung and breathing issues in adults and children. Patients can expect timely and comprehensive treatment focusing on emergency and chronic conditions. St. Joseph Hospital stands out with its expertise in managing rare and complex respiratory conditions, thorough screenings and diagnostic services, pulmonary rehabilitation programs and specialized programs like its Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Program.
Cancer
St. Joseph Hospital has a team of specialists well-versed in treating all types and stages of cancer, tailoring personalized care plans that often combine treatments to optimize outcomes. The hospital is a great location to consider for employment as an oncology nurse. There are also many educational opportunities as St. Joseph Hospital actively participates in clinical trials, providing patients access to cutting-edge research and treatments.
Working at Saint Joseph Hospital
Working at Saint Joseph Hospital offers a fulfilling and dynamic healthcare environment where dedicated professionals collaborate to provide exceptional patient care while fostering a culture of compassion and innovation.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Saint Joseph Hospital is firmly committed to diversity and inclusion. They create an inclusive workplace, provide culturally competent patient care and actively engage with the community to address healthcare disparities. This commitment is integral to their mission of delivering high-quality, compassionate care that respects the dignity and diversity of all individuals.
Benefits and Other Perks
Working at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver comes with a range of enticing perks and employee benefits, including:
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive healthcare
- Retirement plans
- Generous paid time off
- Continuing education
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness initiatives
- Employee discounts
- Transportation benefits
- Unique employee recognition
Nursing Programs
Saint Joseph Hospital prioritizes its nursing staff by providing a supportive and empowering work environment, ongoing professional development opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance. These programs ensure that nurses can thrive while delivering exceptional patient care. Nurses wanting to further their education and work in a supportive environment should check out the following programs St. Joseph has available:
- Nurse Residency Program: Designed for new graduate nurses, this program provides additional training and mentorship to help nurses transition smoothly into their professional roles.
- Clinical Nurse Education Programs: These programs offer ongoing education and training for nurses to enhance their clinical skills and knowledge.
- Advanced Practice Nurse Programs: St. Joseph Hospital offers programs for advanced practice nurses (e.g., nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists) to further their education and specialization.
- Certification Programs: The hospital offers continuing education in specialty areas. Support for nurses to obtain various certifications, such as critical care, pediatric nursing or oncology nursing, to name a few.
- Leadership Development Programs: These programs focus on developing leadership skills for nurses aspiring to take on management or administrative roles in healthcare.
- Continuing Education and Training: St. Joseph Hospital provides a range of in-house workshops, seminars and online courses to help nurses stay updated with the latest advancements in healthcare.
- Nurse Preceptorship Programs: Experienced nurses have the opportunity to become preceptors, guiding and mentoring newer nurses in their clinical practice.
- Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Initiatives: Nurses are encouraged to engage in research and evidence-based practice to improve patient care.
- Specialized Nursing Fellowships: These programs can be tailored to specific nursing specialties like neonatal care, cardiac care or perioperative nursing.
Travel Nursing at St. Joseph Hospital
Denver has a mild climate, making outdoor activities enjoyable no matter when your contract brings you here. The city also boasts a relatively low cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas. So, although the travel nurse salary in Denver is slightly lower than the national average, your earnings should go further.
Denver is a cultural hub with numerous museums, galleries and theaters. Families appreciate the Denver Zoo, Children’s Museum and abundant parks. The city’s vibrant nightlife scene, centered around the LoDo (Lower Downtown) district, offers dining, entertainment and music venues for unwinding after your shift. Denver is centrally located in the state, making it an accessible jumping point for travel nurses and allied health professionals to discover other sites in Colorado.
Getting to Work
Saint Joseph staff and travelers have several transportation options. On-site parking is available, though it’s advisable to check with the hospital for details on parking fees and availability. For those preferring public transportation, the hospital is conveniently accessible via the Denver RTD’s light rail system, with the 20th and Welton Station serving the L Line. The average commute time to the hospital varies depending on your location within Denver, but the city’s well-connected road network makes it easily accessible.
Denver International Airport, one of the largest airports in the United States, serves as the major airport for long-distance travel needs. It also provides travel nurses and other healthcare professionals with easy access to flights in and out of the city.
On-Campus and Nearby Amenities
Saint Joseph Hospital has a prime Denver location with many amenities within walking distance. In the vibrant neighborhood surrounding the hospital, you’ll find an array of dining options, from cafes to delis, perfect for grabbing a quick meal or coffee. Nearby City Park and Cheesman Park offer serene, relaxing spaces to relax during a break or unwind after a tough shift. There’s also a cozy coffee shop just across the street and a local bookstore for grabbing a good read on the way home. These convenient options make it easy for staff to take breaks and recharge amidst their busy schedules.
Contact Information
St. Joseph Hospital
1375 East 19th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 812-2000
Head over to Vivian Health to explore the staff nurse salary in Denver, CO, and compare it with nurse salaries across the country.
Cover Photo Credit: Tshonsey, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
