Pros
I am both emboldened in my passion for clinical work with this population and thoroughly depleted. Being surrounded by a crew who also cares very deeply about these folks and this work was truly incredible, and the bonds I forged with colleagues are precious to me. The rapport I was able to build with patients was also an incredible experience. I was also frequently put in positions in which I was terrified for folks’ lives and wellbeing, and a few scenarios in which I was scared for my own safety. My sanity, mental and physical health, education, and relationships suffered due to the distress of this job. Any cries for help we as staff attempted to communicate were met with indifference or gaslighting. Ultimately, it felt like we were alone in our quest to keep folks alive and attempt to provide them a safe and supportive environment all on our own. This is not to mention the plethora of horrifically unethical practices I witnessed and heard about. Stay away, if you can. If you, like me, are unshakably drawn to this particular work, consider the following - HR is not your friend; this is a business first - money and reputation will invariably take precedence over patient and staff wellbeing; pick your battles; do NOT give 100% - they will suck you dry; utilize coworker support AND external support - consider your own therapy if you do not already have a therapist; remember that this system is highly unlikely to change, even if you attempt to David the hell out of its Goliath - focus on the rapport you can build, the support you can provide - the change you CAN make. At the end of the day, nothing that occurs at EDCare is unique - the mental healthcare industrial complex itself is the problem. The sooner you radically accept that, the better, I suppose. I am glad to be out, myself, and am further intent on doing what I can as a clinician to do better.
Cons
see above - the pros and cons are more mingled than they are disparate