The pros and cons of working in a hospital can be impacted by the size of the hospital and the particular services provided. Individual hospitals have their own culture and work environment, so one hospital may suit a particular type of personality over another.
Private hospitals tend to have a different culture to public hospitals and are often smaller in size with a lower nurse to patient ratio. Some nurses and doctors may prefer the bustling dynamic of a public hospital and the ability to interact with a more diverse range of people.
Hospitals are a major provider of health care, especially for the most unwell of patients, and offer a variety of roles. Around the globe, the demand for quality healthcare is increasing and one of the biggest advantages of working in a hospital is job stability with plenty of career options.
Hospital professionals enjoy working in a clean environment and as part of a team. Depending on the country you are working in, another advantage may mean a higher salary than in another facility such as a nursing home or correctional centre.
There may also be a greater opportunity to increase take home pay through working overtime which is less likely in clinics that are only open during business hours.
A less often cited advantage of working in a hospital is that there may be less administrative paperwork because most hospitals have administrative staff to assist whereas in a smaller clinical setting nurses may be required to handle all the paperwork.
This is an advantage too for hospital physicians who can focus on treating patients because the administration of the hospital is generally left to staff hired for that specific purpose, whereas in a private medical practice physicians may also be responsible for things like managing employees and general maintenance.
Because most hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year one of the biggest disadvantages of working in a hospital is having to sometimes work unsociable shifts and long shifts, up to 12 hours, and sometimes working public holidays thus missing out on spending special occasions with families and friends.
Other disadvantages include hectic workloads, exposure to germs, having to at times deal with aggressive and abusive patients, and difficulties finding parking.
Those seeking hospital employment should consider the pros and cons and determine how these impact their individual work ethic and area of interest. If you’re currently looking for your next career opportunity, please browse our selection of medical jobs.