Pros
Great learning experience. Some of the people I worked with were the best possible.
Cons
Many employees that do not do their jobs. The RN is held responsible not only for their job, but also for all other personnel. If the tech doesn't want to help you with a patient you must do it yourself or get another nurse to help. If respiratory doesn't come when called, it's your fault. Staff meetings are used to tell you how bad your performance is. Very little praise. No thank yous. Former patients mention they sent a letter about how well they were treated but you never see the letter. You don't know if it made it to your personnel file or not. Managers have little power over units and must spend the majority of their time in meetings, precious little time with their staff. They are way understaffed. Most of the surgical, medical, cardiology, etc. units will assign 8-9 patients to a nurse. This is dangerous but if you complain you will have out your job in Jeopardy. If a complaint is made against you, the management may or may not listen to your side. If they dismiss your argument, you have no appeal. Overtime is not allowed regardless of patient condition. Even in a code situation, give report and check out. Then come back and do the charting.