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Covenant Health Ranked Among the Nation’s Best Employers for New Graduates

  • 4 minute read.
  • Last Updated: 6/8/2026

Covenant Health has been named No. 68 on Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for New Grads list, ranking among the top companies in the country for early-career professionals, across all industries. That means Covenant Health stands alongside some of the nation’s most recognized employers, not just in healthcare, but in every field. 

What the Ranking Means 

A man in a dark suit, white shirt, and yellow striped tie stands against a gray background. He has short, light brown hair and wears a circular pin on his lapel, perhaps representing what is Covenant Health. He is smiling slightly and looking at the camera.
Jim VanderSteeg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Covenant Health

Forbes and  Statista compile this list each year by surveying more than 100,000 working professionals with less than 10 years of experience. Companies are ranked based on: 

  • Likelihood to recommend their employer to others 
  • Benefits 
  • Advancement opportunities 
  • Overall employee satisfaction 

“Being recognized among the top healthcare systems named in Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for New Grads list is a tremendous honor. We work hard every single day to create a culture where the next generation of healthcare professionals grow and thrive,” said Jim VanderSteeg, president and chief executive officer for Covenant Health. “Great patient care starts with great people, and great people deserve an organization that believes in and invests in them from day one. To be counted among the top employers in the country for new graduates across all industries is something our entire team should be incredibly proud of.” 

Workforce Development: A National Standard-Setter 

The health system’s Nurse Residency Program recently earned the Accreditation with Distinction designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — the highest recognition ANCC’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program offers. The year-long program gives new graduate nurses the tools and confidence to thrive. 

Beyond nursing, Covenant Health offers pathways for students and early-career professionals across disciplines. The Patient Care Support Assistant program offers paid, hands-on hospital experience to high school students ages 16–18, giving the next generation a genuine head start in healthcare. The Project SEARCH partnership with Knox County Schools and Sertoma provides hands-on learning, mentoring and meaningful employment opportunities for graduating high school students with disabilities. 

The Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program trains the next generation of family physicians through a community-based, ACGME-accredited program launched in 2024. Residents gain hands-on experience across Covenant Health’s clinically integrated network.  

A Record of Recognition 

Kandis Smith, a woman with long brown hair, wearing a dark blazer over a beige top, stands smiling in front of a plain gray background.
Kandis Smith, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Covenant Health

This honor builds on a strong track record. In 2025 alone, Covenant Health: 

  • Earned Forbes’ “Best-in-State Employer” recognition for the sixth consecutive year 
  • Ranked No. 25 on Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals” 
  • Was named to Newsweek’s “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Gen Z,” “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women” and “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity” lists 

 “At the heart of our success is our commitment to our people,” said Kandis Smith, senior vice president of human resources at Covenant Health. “We are committed to creating a workplace where new graduates feel welcome, supported and encouraged to grow from the moment they arrive. Our people are our greatest strength, and this recognition is meaningful because it reflects the experiences of our employees, especially those beginning their careers with Covenant Health.” 

In total, the health system has received 12 Newsweek recognitions across various “America’s Greatest Workplaces” lists and 11 “Best Employer” honors from Forbes. 

Start Your Career at Covenant Health 

Whether you’re a new nursing graduate, a student looking for your first clinical experience, or an early-career professional ready to make your mark, Covenant Health is a place where your work matters and your growth is supported.  Explore career opportunities at Covenant Health. 

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