Pros
Sheppard Pratt (Towson Campus) has a wide variety of patient units, from Child to Geriatric, from Affective Disorders to Psychotic Disorders, from Eating Disorders to Addiction issues. The hospital is well-managed; benefits are generous; pay is about average, but the benefits package more than makes up for this. Nurses are appreciated; Mental Health Workers are kept very busy. Sheppard Pratt has a very comprehensive Residency program for doctors -- Residents get a very thorough education if they can survive the four years of training. The majority of Attending Psychiatrists are highly experienced. The Department of Medicine is adequate. The ECT program is well-run, well-staffed and produces excellent results for patients.
Cons
Because of fairly recent health laws and regulations, Sheppard Pratt can be a dangerous place to work due to the patient populations it is obligated to accept. However, during staff orientation and recurring throughout one's career at Sheppard, staff receives training on how to handle difficult situations. Unfortunately, due to recent budget constraints, the hospital has been forced to trim its Department of Education. Additionally, there is a pervasive in-house philosophy (the "Sheppard Way") such that change in policy/procedure does not come easily, despite well-meaning, well-intentioned staff suggestions and this can be frustrating.
