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Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital

Engaged Employer

Run, run away fast - Registered Nurse Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital Employee Review

1.0
Aug 13, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Beautiful facility and like anywhere some nice people to work with.

Cons

THIS COMPANY FORCES EMPLOYEES TO WRITE GOOD REVIEWS. Let's see where to start... I was traveling labor, but they didn't process my hire as one but as a direct hire. So I made less than half what I was promised. I moved from another state to work for them. I didn't get my moving expenses, my bonuses, or any other living expenses. I was taxed at the full rate instead of at the traveler rate of only half taxed. They have sky high turnover because they will work you until you drop or quit, if you drop then they fire you if you can't keep working 70 hour weeks. Their plan is to wring every drop of work out of you because you're going to quit anyways, everyone does. Their 'rules' are arbitrary at best. I was WRITTEN UP for drawing up a B52 (chemical restraint shot) and then not administering it to the patient but instead offering them oral medication they agreed to taking. The very next night a manager did the exact same thing I was written up for with another patient. Suffice it to say no disciplinary action occurred. They will also give B52's to patients who are not a danger to themselves or others, which is not just wrong, IT'S ILLEGAL. Employees are allowed to treat patients according to their racist, bigoted, homophobic, and random other hateful opinions. I have actually seen patients self harm as a direct result of this treatment. I reported it to management and nothing was done. I watched a worker beneath me deprive a VOLUNTARY patient in for detox of his medication (designed to ease the worst of withdrawal), because the guy hates people who are addicts. I have watched members of the LGBTQA+ community be called slurs and have staff refuse to use their pronouns/name preference. I reported this to management as well and nothing was done. Constant rotation of staff is a safety concern, paper charts means staff doesn't know who is and isn't dangerous. There is no time to review the paper charts to figure this out. High turnover means that many if not most of staff is not from a psychiatric background. I was initially shadowing a DIALYSIS worker with absolutely no experience in psych. She had not even been working for the company for ninety days. Inexperienced staff is terrified of psych patients. They try to stay behind the nurse's station at all times, patients are in danger from other patients as well as themselves. Patients are allowed to harass and even attack other patients. Staff only becomes involved belatedly and when they have no choice. You will not get paid for vacation, PTO, leave, etcetera when you leave. Your checks will be short, and they will screw you out of every penny they can including in your final check. Nightshift is treated like slaves, including being forbidden from leaving the property in order to obtain food to be able to keep working. Nepotism is alive and well here. Married couples are allowed to work the floor covering for each other. Family is promoted above anyone who actually deserves it. If you somehow last long enough that you should get a raise, you won't. At a company that works everyone like dogs until they quit, they really aren't set up to think about how to make staying at the company worth your while.

Explore other reviews about Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital

5.0
Mar 7, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

SPBH has allowed me to grow my clinical skills and work with different populations. The director is super helpful

Cons

Requires evening hours at times

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Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital Response
1y
Thank you for sharing your experience at SPBH! We're glad to hear that you've had opportunities to grow your clinical skills and work with diverse populations. It's great to know that leadership has been supportive as well. We appreciate your dedication and the work you do to support our patients!
1.0
Feb 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Decent insurance and free meal.

Cons

Intake operations often felt driven by census goals rather than realistic clinical capacity. There was strong pressure to complete admissions before midnight, but staffing did not match the volume being accepted. It was common for a single clinician to manage multiple evaluations. Walk-ins were not accounted for in scheduling, which frequently created bottlenecks. Patients sometimes waited extended periods before evaluation or placement. I frequently resorted to using yoga mats to create temporary resting areas due to limited space and resources. Obtaining medication orders from the on-call provider could be delayed, including for detoxing patients with active medical symptoms. While behavioral escalation that involved property damage tended to prompt faster responses, medical discomfort did not always receive the same urgency, which added stress for both patients and staff. Staff burnout was significant, and I witnessed new employees leave mid-shift due to the workload and lack of support. The overall structure of the intake process felt heavily volume-driven. There was clear emphasis on maximizing admissions, and at times this seemed to take priority over ensuring adequate staffing, medical oversight, and patient comfort. For those seeking a patient-first environment, I would encourage careful consideration and thorough questions during the interview process. Ask about night staffing, intake volume expectations, and leadership transparency before accepting a position.

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