Poor wages/ High patient loads/ hard to get vacation
Pros
Some of the nurses do care about their patients. If you are a brand new nurse with no experience, it is easy to get a job.
Cons
Very high turnover rate (assuming from burnout). Too many brand new nurses in critical areas (Avera seems to thrive on new nurses and doesn't seem to seek experienced nurses). Hard to get vacation and must be put in 6 months in advance (many staff carry up 300 hours of PTO). High patient to nurse ratio/ Avera gave key staff members (nurses) a pay cut after a bad quarter/ Avera recently had to pay back wages to nursing staff after violation of breaks. Poor management that has not been properly trained. VERY POOR WORK/LIFE BALANCE. Wages are low (after seven years I left Avera, starting wage at new job "not avera" was over $2.00 more an hour.) Very clicky, back biting atmosphere with management being part of the environment.
