Pros
Most units provide a positive work environment, and the majority of the nursing staff are supportive, knowledgeable, and enjoyable to work with. There is a strong sense of teamwork across much of the hospital, and coworkers are often willing to help one another when needed.
The benefits package is solid, and there are opportunities to gain valuable clinical experience. While there are a couple of units that may not offer the same level of support or organization, most departments are well-run and provide a positive experience for staff.
Overall, the nurses and support staff are one of the organization's greatest strengths, and the team-oriented culture is a major reason many employees enjoy working here.
Cons
The annual raise structure has become increasingly disappointing. While the standard raise may be around 3%, it seems to be reserved only for employees who receive near-perfect performance evaluations, which is extremely difficult to achieve. For most staff, raises are minimal and often amount to only a few cents per hour. Because of this, it's important to negotiate the highest possible starting salary, as meaningful pay growth is unlikely.
This can be a good place to gain initial experience, but compensation progression is not a strong point. Be prepared for HR to offer a lower starting rate, so advocate for yourself during the hiring process.
I would strongly caution new graduate nurses against choosing the Telemetry unit. The unit's management and workflow make it very difficult to receive adequate training and develop confidence as a new nurse. Staff are frequently pulled in multiple directions and expected to manage responsibilities across several areas at once. As a result, learning opportunities are limited, and the environment can feel overwhelming.
Several new graduates have struggled during orientation, and some have even left before completing their training because the learning environment was not supportive enough for someone just entering the profession. If you are a new grad RN, I would recommend considering another unit where you can build a stronger clinical foundation before transitioning to Telemetry.