Pros
Great coworkers (overall) who support your learning and are very helpful. RNs don’t treat RPN as lesser and work with you as a team. CHWs always come in clutch to make sure the shift runs smoothly. Good benefits package. Union Reps (I emphasize reps here) are good and support you. You could consider this soft nursing if you can look past some of the mental gymnastics that happen here. Valuable lessons can be learned from the poor practices here.
Cons
This list is only at the brim of what goes on here. They will know exactly who wrote this and for that reason, well I hope they enjoy. If you’re thinking of working here, just read and go from there. I got this job at the interview…so red flag from the get go. On the ARC unit here is what I’ll say. 1) Unprofessional and unpopular managers/supervisors: rude comments, back handed compliments, gaslighting, weaponized incompetence are just a few of the tactics used here. There are mind games played so be careful. 2) Some toxic coworkers: not that there was a lot but there is gossip that happens here and you best not end up in the cross hairs. 3) Medication errors on the ARC unit happen frequently with many nurses: they used paper MARs that are not optimized. You will make medication errors here. 4) unclear policies: for example no visitors are allowed on the floor unless it’s the family of a staff member? Hmm ok. Or better yet, narcotics and insulins are not done through an independent check system, unless you’ve made a medication error with a less risk medication. 5) There are roaches on the 3rd floor so you’re never truly alone on the long night shift. 6) You need to advocate for a higher wage. 24/hour for an RPN…in this economy? 7) Patients (or as they call them, clients) are sometimes belittled by certain staff for asking to have their needs met. ARC claims to be root in trauma informed care, but everything from speaking down to clients to flat out yelling at them says otherwise. 8) Terrible choices with regards to the tolerating of abusive behaviour. Staff are literally at risk with regards to their health and safety, or their liscence at times and there is so much apathy from management. They rather keep a bed filled then promote the health and safety of their safe. On top of that, they will bring in higher risk patients (high acuity) to fill a bed, regardless if the unit has enough staff/resources available to support that person. This is because of the demands upper management puts on ARC to have their beds filled to meet budget goals. Like tail chasing. 9) Some staff cut concerns (do not get a new order for a patient, skip counting narcotics with another staff member). 10) Upper Management: overpaid and overpraised. You are not community leaders. You bring home those six figures and yet you have nurses pirating wound care supplies from other floors because you don’t have a decent budget. This place has so much potential. Happy to be gone and in an environment that supports my learning and excellence. The joy of being a nurse is you can go anywhere.