Anyone experience a hospital being sold?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 8, 2017

My hospital that I've worked at for 24 years since I graduated nursing school, is a county owned hospital. The board of supervisors is trying to sell/lease the hospital. They are bringing it to a vote for the taxpayers to decide. My question is that if you have gone through a sell/lease, what should we expect to see as far as staffing, benefits...who will they try and get rid of...I'm just unsure of what my future holds.

It all depends upon who buys your hospital. It's impossible to answer in advance. Your benefits will probably change -- but again, it depends. When my smaller, community hospital was sold, benefits actually improved because we were given the same benefits as the famous, large hospital that acquired us. Staffing? I have no idea. Ours didn't change much. As far as who they try to get rid of -- every time I've ever lived through a change in management, they got rid of some of the troublemakers. Or else promoted them.

Try not to worry about what the future will bring. You won't know 'til you know.

caliotter3 · Jun 8, 2017

Ninety days after the change in ownership, the layoffs began. Another person I know who went through such a change at a different place was not laid off per se, but was one of a few people from a department that were spun off to another 'employer'. They suffered changes in benefit structure as well as entering the category of becoming "odd man out" at the workplace. Seems there are always those who do not benefit from these business decisions.

Ullikummi · Jun 19, 2017

Acquired by a larger competitor. PTO cashed out in one check. Different, but comprable benefits. Substantial raises given to keep valuable employees. All LPNs let go. General chaos in staffing due to an intentionally low census during transition, which we are still trying to recover from. Seniority retained in the new company, and many of the RNs that were able to stick it out have been promoted. Having to get use to new policy and procedures, and a crap load of education required in a very short time. Learning a new charting system. So basically a new job in the same building, lots of changes. I was very adaptable and am happy for the most part with my situation. But I miss some great people who left, especially some fantastic LPNs, whose experience more than made up for their lack of the degree. Every one I know of landed on their feet and now work in other area hospitals and are great contacts should I choose to look for employment elsewhere. Change is not always a bad thing.