Prior to coming to Barnes-Jewish, I worked for another system for six years. I did post-surgical and trauma, then orthopedics and neuro as they were downsizing and they kept merging us. I felt that patient care was getting to a point where it was unsafe, so I left. I actually lived about a mile from another facility, but they didn’t offer the level of challenge and exposure that was available at Barnes-Jewish.
Opportunity. Growth. Variety.
I’ve been in the Women & Infants department at Barnes-Jewish for 12 years, and was just promoted to assistant manager of Antepartum Unit and the Pregnancy Assessment Center. As we take care of most of the high-risk patients for the BJC system, we see a little bit of everything, and my Med/Surg background has definitely helped in this area.
My advancement = higher pay.
The Professional Nursing Development Program (PNDP) gives you credit for advancing as a clinical nurse, and rewards you with pay differential. There are three levels to the program. The first level pays an extra $1,500 a year, and it increases from there…you can procure points by becoming a preceptor or charge nurse, for any committees that you’re on, and for outside volunteer work pertaining to nursing. This year I completed my BSN and advanced a level.
There’s always a variety of patients to care for and something new to learn, which are just a few of the many reasons why I stay.