Pros
Our unit in particular has a family feel to it. You know that when you are at work that other nurses have your back, and are there to support you. This support extends beyond professional support, but they care about each other's personal struggles and accomplishments as well. Inova Fairfax Hospital has a commitment to being the "best in the world". We have yet to attain that goal, but I feel that it is an admirable goal. We strive to treat our patients and their families with the utmost respect, and more importantly, care. The leadership in the hospital work to facilitate a positive atmosphere throughout the Inova healthcare system.
Cons
In any large organization there are going to be issues that need some work. The biggest downside that I have seen is that communication on issues is not always the best. Obviously every issue can't be addressed, but sometimes we need it! We recently had a meeting to review/encourage safety practices. The information could have been presented in a really interesting way, that would promote safety, and encourage people to pay attention. However, they always seem to resort to the same methods of presenting of information - and monotone voices is usually involved. The health insurance is adequate, but I felt that I was able to get insurance through my husband's job. This seemed odd to me, especially since I work in healthcare! It would be nice if the shifts were tailored more to what works best for the staff, rather than what works best for administration.