Pros
Supportive coworkers/coordinators (what gets me through each shift) Benefits are okay Tons of learning, great growth opportunities, cross training Extra shifts always available Friendly doctors and management
Cons
Pay is not worth the stress, responsibilities, and acuity (3 patients with a ridiculous amount of charting, at times Q1h-Q2h assessments/glucose checks, tons of drips that most stepdowns do not have, mostly isolations...) Limited equipment (broken or missing d/t other units having to borrow since theirs are missing or broken)... Limited staff. 1 PCT to 15 high acuity patients (and PCTs are not allowed to chart for stepdown patients, so the nurse is responsible for everything), no receptionist/someone to manage station, help answer phone calls, manage charts, fax documents, assist family members... No resource nurse ever. Break nurse most days but not all No true 15 min breaks in morning and evening Only 1 transport nurse on weekdays, no weekends (I have spent an hour off the unit multiple times having to transport and sit with my patient during scans and imaging procedures) No union