registered nurse

nursing assistant

licensed practical nurse

travel nurse

respiratory therapist

Sanford Health

My typical day at work consists of waking up early and changing into my scrubs in the locker room before heading to huddle and getting the scoop on what's been going on around the department, in the OR, and any notable information we need for the day. During huddle we're also able to bring up things we think might be relevant. There are many different designated tasks around the department, and each morning we're assigned to specific ones we'll be working on during our shift. 

I learned a lot at this job to be honest. I learned a lot about medical terminology, medical tools, how to communicate with doctors and nurses, how to clean, assemble, sterilize, store, and organize specialized equipment. I also learned how to use new computer programs and inventory systems. As inventory management was a big part of the job.

Workplace culture ranges from tight-knit to dramatic and stressful. Poor management and under staffing causes strain and stress, which sours the atmosphere and has caused a lot of conflict. The biggest thing that's caused conflict is coworkers getting overly personal and downright aggressive with very little action from management, and the fact that there's currently no standard for training. While yes, they have the policies and guidebooks and rules, the department I worked in had no designated trainers, and many of the people they'd task with training new people either misremembered or disregarded proper procedure. Many of them even spreading down bad information on accident, as that was what they were trained on.
Often times, due to the lack or proper trainers, those put in charge of training also completely forget certain details, leaving holes in the training. Causing the new people to make massive mistakes, at no fault of their own. Which heavily impacts workflow. 

The hardest part of the job was often how hectic things would get on busy days or due to bad training or disregard for procedure by coworkers. Management both felt overly strict when it came to things that didn't matter, and completely spineless when it came to things that did. Making the work environment feel restricting, while also being messy and hard to navigate.

While I could complain about hiccups in the system all day, I still would like to say I enjoyed the job quite a bit. The work, when you get the hang of it, was extremely rewarding, and for the most part leadership and those around you are very encouraging. The pay and benefits are amazing for the fact that the position is truly entry level. Sanford also has many amazing ways to bring your career forward, contrary to most dead end entry level positions. The timelines for that growth are often also quite simple and thorough. Including how long that growth might take, and the steps and compensation you'll get along the way. 

Overall I recommend it if you're looking to learn something new in a serious environment that could help open up opportunities for you. However, I also ask that you be wary and don't let them undersell your work. Don't get caught up in the workplace culture either. Stay social and professional,  but keep a healthy distance as to not get caught up in it. Also make sure you ask questions during training and hold those in leadership positions accountable for any issues beyond your control. 

A typical work day for me consists of many different duties and activities. Some require me to be focused and on task. Some are fun and don’t require me to be as serious and I am able to have fun with them. My days are very routine and I have deadlines and goals I need to meet every day, I have certain times I have to get stuff done, which I like because then it makes my days go by fast and I feel like I accomplish more when I have a deadline every day. I love the environment at my job the energy and people I work with are fantastic. We can joke around and have fun with projects when there’s a little extra time and when it’s appropriate. We understand that when it’s time to work we work. We all understand the meaning of team work and understand that if one department is behind on something or needs help with something that it’s in our best interest to help them as much as possible. 
I have learned many things working at HealthCare Accessories. I have learned how to problem solve quickly and how to research many different things, and how to multi-task every day all day long. Working at HCA has opened my eyes to many of the different disabilities that every day people have, that most of time a person would never guess just by looking at them. I have gained more patients when working with the public and I have become a more open minded and respectful person, who is able to sympathize when necessary.
The hardest part of my job is working with all these customers/patients that are really sick and have disabilities that more often than not, are not going to go away. And building that relationship with these people and not being able to help them more. Or having a really good relationship with a customer and watching them slowly get worse and then finding out that they have passed away.  The best part of my job is getting to meet these people even though I know what’s in-store is for them, some of them are angry and not pleasant at all and they’re not usually so fun to meet, but every once in awhile you meet that one person that is so optimistic and happy you can’t help but smile. I also love the paperwork and computer/data entry part of my job, which is most of my day, I only have about 2 hours a day to be face to face with the customers the rest is over the phone.



Typical day at work
A typical day was significantly more demanding than what was outlined during the hiring process. Shortly after starting, my workload increased to several times what I was originally told to expect. While I took pride in my work and performed well, the expectations were not transparent or sustainable given the compensation.

What I learned
I gained valuable experience that strengthened my skill set and ultimately enhanced my résumé. The role itself offered meaningful learning opportunities and helped clarify my long-term career goals, including what environments I am—and am not—willing to work in.

Management
Management lacked consistency and accountability. Despite raising formal concerns, including documented reports of workplace bullying submitted to HR, no meaningful action was taken. Advancement opportunities appeared limited, particularly for employees who were not originally “from the area,” a sentiment that was explicitly acknowledged during my interview process.

Workplace culture
The culture is deeply entrenched in a “we’ve always done it this way” mindset. There is a strong in-group dynamic, and employees who are not part of that group face significant barriers to advancement. While I worked with several kind and capable colleagues, the overall culture was toxic and resistant to change. Union protections also allowed some consistently poor performers to remain in place, negatively affecting team morale and productivity.

Hardest part of the job
The most difficult aspect was navigating a toxic culture where concerns were minimized and professional growth was limited, regardless of performance or qualifications.

Most enjoyable part of the job
The work-life balance was genuinely excellent, and I enjoyed the actual work itself as well as several of the people I worked alongside.

Overall
While this position paid my bills and helped advance my career on paper, it also made the decision to leave the area—and the organization—very easy. I do not recommend this employer to individuals seeking a supportive, growth-oriented, or accountable workplace.

This job was my only job thus far in my life that had benefits but still I was not paid enough for what I did and what was required alone. I was a housekeeper in a hospital. Basically I would clean the rooms after a patient was discharged or transferred. This job is a rather gory and scary job (scary because if not done properly could cause the next patient to obtain infections and disease). I didn't mind what was required and I got two 30 minute breaks during the day. I worked mostly with people that moved here from other countries and they were usually refugees. I loved most of my co-workers and I loved knowing that I was making a difference in healthcare. I took a lot of pride in my work because I do things the right way and the best that I can. The downside to my job there was in the management for my department. I had one wonderful manager that was very understanding if I needed to go home quick for something or if I just needed a day or two to care of personal things that pop up in life. He was great and we all just adored him but the director and evening manager were a different story. The director hired his friend who moved here from another state to manage the night shift (my shift was 11 to 7:30 so I actually had two managers in my day). The newly hired guy was in his sixties and loud. He made a few comments on my appearance and received dirty looks in return. over a short period of time it went from comments to a tickle on my side once in a while and then to being singled out and what felt like being stalked during my shift. The stalking was noticed by other people in the hospital such as other housekeepers and nurses. I reported him to HR twice. Nothing happened. I started dreading work and having anxiety attacks while I was work if he approached me. I finally quit because of that and don't recommend that job if he is still managing. I learned communication and focus on details during this position.

A typical day in my role insists of emails, timecards, virtual meetings, in person meetings, new hire interviews, in person rounding / building connections with my team. 

Sanford had offered me an opportunity to take Leadership Academy as a new leader which taught me how to lead others, lead myself, have crucial conversations and more. Sanford is great about building you up to help you reach your career goals and shape you into the leader you're aspiring to me. 

The Management culture I have experienced here is extremely positive. I know I am valued as an individual. All leaders I have had have been extremely flexible with my needs whether it's needing to leave for appointments / take PTO. They are always there to support me when I have questions or need advice.

The Workplace culture at Sanford is also very positive in my experience. It is great to know that if you need help you can look around the room and find someone who can help you. Teamwork is a strong value Sanford builds in all of it's departments.

The hardest part of this job is dealing with the tougher situations with patients, especially if you are super empathetic like myself. We get to know the members of our community so closely that when things happen to them it does affect you.

The most enjoyable part of the job is also dealing with the patients! Getting to know the members of your community  and making a difference. Having a fulfilling role. 

I started in July and I have given notice of quitting in December.  I want it to be known that I average at a minimum about 5 years at any job.  Because of the following issues I could not take the stress for more than 6 months, started getting headaches and cold-like symptoms.  

1)  I applied for a generic cooks job carefully avoiding room service and the restaurants.  Third day of hire I was positioned in cold side room service.

2)  The job information stated every other weekend off.  Have not had every other weekend off in five and half months.  I have not had 2 consecutive days off in about 4 months until I took 10 vacation days a week ago.  

3)  For three months not getting a lunch break was the norm.  Average of 1 to 2 lunch breaks a week.  Forced to talk to manager's boss about not giving us lunches.  Also called HR Rep to get information.  When we did get lunches it was at the 7 to 8 hour mark of the shift.  Lunch breaks are now the norm, but why should anyone have to go through all this trouble so they can eat lunch?  This should just be a given.

The manager and supervisor are good people, but their ability to take action and fix issues with or without the input of the subordinates is lacking.  The supervisors do not have the training or supervisory experience to be in their positions.  They implement/initiate solutions and then walk away and don't look back.  They don't monitor the solution, if they do it is with a minimal effort.  Guidance is rare, we are simply told to work together and work better.

It is a shame, I was starting to like my position and I had some great coworkers.  I liked working at Sanford.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The maintenance staff whom installed the under the desk keyboard tray.  They really had no knowledge of the benefits it would have for me, but they were very attentive in its placement to fit my stature.  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The constant PRESSURE to NoT fully serve and answer insurance SUBSCRIBERS’ questions.  Not allowed the “time” to explain nor in a manner in which the subscriber could understand,  always being badgered on “length of calls” to cut them shorter.  However, this is not possible and to allow proper documentation WILL screen shots. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
FONEY.  If you don’t associate outside of work and “entertain” supervisors, you really don’t belong. You are subject to be the next one out the door. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Don’t hydrate as time away from calls and computer is monitored and timed.  Constantly frozen in one position. No breaks to stretch and do 20/20/20 ie look away from you computer every 20 minutes, 20 feet for 20 seconds.  No time breaks for “stretching so that you’re not getting fatigue or “tight”.  Physical therapist recommend these for ergonomic health etc.  because there is such pressure to get call numbers UP and time on calls down.  Some coworkers “cheat” and do not document as instructed… but some of those are “favorites” of supervisors.  Those cheating numbers are used to place pressure on those whom document as instructed and approved by trainers.  However the trainers are not involved in the number counting etc.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The patients and some of my coworkers. This is all I have for the best part about working for Sanford.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The management from your own manager all the way to upper management. In addition to HR.  If you have an issue that can not be resolved with your manager do not expect anyone else to help you or even listen to you.  I was there for 7 years and it was very clear they did not care what you had to say. When someone was "leaving the company" and several other staff members including physicians went to discuss this with HR and upper management we were told to basically keep quiet and stay out of it or we could join them. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The patient and staff for the most part are wonderful.  The doctors I worked with in the clinic were amazing. I worked very closely with them in my role. I worked with 8 different providers while I was there and only one of them was ever rude to me or treated me like you are the nurse and I am the doctor. I was always treated like an equal.  We were all just part of the team trying to do our best for the patient. As far as the culture outside of this it was very much keep your head low and don't ask any questions. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I would show up at the clinic, go to my office and shut my door. My day consisted of talking to parents of children who had questions about child's illness, growth and development, injury, etc.  I would also complete forms, write letters, calling and explaining lab results to parents, or anything else within my scope that the doctors needed me to do.

A typical day was between 8-12 hours in length. I would call patients in their assigned hospitals rooms and aide in making meal selections based on their diet guidelines (i.e. cardiac, renal, dysphagia diets, C-CHO, low fat, etc.). After all patients were contacted and meal selections were obtained, food carts were stocked, simple meal items were made (i.e. sandwiches, thickening liquids, milkshakes, etc.). I also did some meal deliveries to patient rooms. I learned about diet restrictions and the importance of following diet guidelines for patient health. I also learned patient/professional interactions skills with my deliveries to patients' rooms. I received education on multiple levels of hospital contact precautions for patient/employee safety. The management was timely and easy to communicate with. It was a great team of individuals who really made for a fun and productive work environment. The hardest part of the job was keeping up with patient order requests and delivering to patient rooms in a timely manner when the department was busy. The most enjoyable part of this job was the dietary team I worked with and helping patients to heal and get stronger while in the hospital by fulfilling their nutritional needs.

there was not really a typical night on the overnight shift. anything could have happened at any time. You are alone most nights for 5 hours, sometimes 8. You will have to show up even when very sick due to lack of coverage. only saw supervisor about 4 times in the 2 years i was employed there, and they only told me i was doing a great job when i was leaving the company. pay is very good, thankfully. if your coworkers don't like you they won't help you out. Doctors treat you like kindergartners. Nurses aren't much better. There was no protection from threats walking through the front door as security was very understaffed and were usually somewhere else. typically was left to clean up vomit and blood on my own as there wasn't reliable housekeeping staffed on overnights either. if there isn't someone there to cover your lunch you don't get one. training is horrible. free food on holidays was a bonus. there were made to order omelets in the cafeteria that were amazing, but overall a huge lack of employee appreciation. i ended up leaving with over 200 hours of PTO because the one time i took a vacation my supervisor was extremely upset with me. nurses would leave patients out in waiting room for a very long time even with no patients in the back and patients would take it out on you. i would not recommend anyone to work here until there is better management and better precautions placed.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Registered nurse 239 salaries reported	$43.33 per hour
Nursing assistant 363 salaries reported	$22.20 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 234 salaries reported	$30.50 per hour
Travel nurse 108 salaries reported	$3,226 per month
Respiratory therapist 134 salaries reported	$37.33 per hour

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