Pros
If you work with individuals who are well-aligned with the fundamental missions of the hospital, you will find a sense of purpose no matter your role. Seeing children passing through the halls will easily bring a smile to your face and act as a constant reminder that what you do has a positive impact on the community. Working for a hospital, the health benefits are unparalleled. The pay is good if you transitioned from the retail industry, as I did, even though it is on the lower side of the scale. The time off is rather generous as well, offering 30 days of vacation/holiday/sick pay.
Cons
If you are looking to move up quickly, this is certainly not the place to do so. Managers value longevity above individual competence and an eagerness to learn and grow. I worked in an entry-level customer service role, and despite having management experience with Nordstrom (a leader in customer service), as well as a BA in business and retail management, they wanted to keep me in the same low-paying position for 1 1/2 to 2 years. I found it rather appalling as I demonstrated that I was over qualified for the job and expressed a strong desire to grow within the hospital. The managers also do not understand that human capital is the most valuable asset to any company. They do not offer constructive and/or regular performance feedback. They do not want to invest time and energy into coaching and developing existing employees for peak performance. Instead, they are quick to criticize and demoralize. This is not simply from my own experience, but two others in the hospital. The level of professionalism is very questionable among senior management (in terms of how they treat employees), and I suspect it is because their whole careers have been in health care and no other areas of business.