actually there’s one weird one that I’ll put at the top because it might actually apply to the rest of you: everybody has nice pens. not like, fancy fountain pens, just the fancier rollerballs that feel smoother on the paper and the permanent markers with higher quality inks. like papermate inkjoys and real brand name sharpies. its a weirdly good indicator that they aren’t cutting corners elsewhere. a pizza party is a one-time expense, like a lovebombing abusive partner who buys you flowers the day after kicking your teeth in. pens are an everyday operating expense, and those costs add up. pens are one of the first things that are gonna get hit when the bean counters start getting their claws into the daily operational costs. good pens means they’re investing in the actual everyday working environment.

here were my first thoughts:

• good nurse to patient ratio (changes by specialty & facility acuity level)
• no mandatory overtime
• on-site security who are authorized to remove violent visitors
• good health insurance (they all suck but for the most part United bad, anthem good)
• no news articles about human rights violations
• low staff turnover / multiple nurses who have been there longer than 2 years
• when you do a shadow shift nobody is asking why they’re staffed so well today

…probably some other stuff I’m not thinking about.