Pros
If you are looking to gain clinical experience for a transition into a NP or Masters program, this will meet that need; however, beyond this there is almost zero reason I would recommend FGH to anyone. The coworkers you have will become some of the most important friendships you will ever make, and despite all the challenges that you will face if employed here, they will be what unfortunately makes you stay.
Cons
This company actively encourages an unhealthy, toxic work environment for employees. It was my experience to be demeaned, yelled at, cursed at, without reproach, by physicians and those in authority positions. I witnessed upper management subtly and not-so subtly threaten coworkers with un-safe and unfair patient assignments. Breaks are few and far between, and your job responsibilities will soon expand to cater to anyone above you. Upper management cares very little for employees, and while your unit manager may be approachable and friendly, they have very little power or control over the policies that become their duty to enforce. It was my experience that new policies and procedures would be added to the daily workload, despite staff's concern of how to safely and effectively carry out these new responsibilities. Patient safety will be touted as an important part of the "We CARE" philosophy; however, the truth is the slogan should read, "We CARE...about your money." Patient safety is only an issue after something happens, and the truth is if it does, you will be held accountable - not the practices that set it up to occur (i.e. understaffing, unsafe patient ratios, increasing workload demands without reasonable ways to execute). Budget cuts will force you to take on more responsibilities in patient care, despite an increasing lack of manpower to carry out your duties. No further compensation was added, despite the increased workload, and the company remains in a constant state of failure to retain employees. Retention is not important to FGH as they are constantly resupplied by a never ending stream of new graduates from the surrounding areas. This allows them to avoid raises in compensation. It was not uncommon for when a new raise occurred, it to be brought about by senior employees (5+ yrs experience) complaining that the new graduate RN was hired on at near their base compensation. Budget cuts removed insurance for part-time employees and full-time employee spouses. To illustrate the lack of empathy this organization has for its employees, listen to these anecdotes: 1. For nurses week, the entire hospital was provided a pancake/waffle breakfast. These pancakes were under national recall for being infected with listeria. My manager was made personally aware of the national recall; however, these waffles were still served. The followed week was inundated with announcements encouraging employees to seek a free ER referral if they displayed symptoms. 2. A manager, when asked about hazard pay during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, responded, "If you want hazard pay, go bag groceries at Wal-Mart." The resounding theme of FGH is that it remains a vestige of the old south. It is a "good ole boys" club of which you will never be a part. If your licensure is below that of Dr, if you fall within ancillary staff or even RN, or if you are not within the upper echelons of employment, you do not matter to this corporation. I would not recommend working here any extended period of time beyond 1 year.
