Any nurses out there starting to feel the economic squeeze at their job? For the first time in many years, I'm concerned about my hours. Just 2 months ago I read an article that said nursing was recession proof. Yet our census drooped and everyone has lost on average 1 day a week for the last month now. 1-3 nurses a day on our small unit have been cancelled. We're wondering about taking on 2nd jobs. But, I've noticed there are not as many nursing jobs advertised anymore.
If your curious about what is going on in our profession around the US then input data below and share. Speculative E-articles are just that...speculative. We need information straight from valid sources. I think we could get a better picture of what's going on.
Your information would be appreciated.
I'll start first.
Title: RN
status: Full time, staff (non-traveler)
Category: acute care hospital
Specialty: oncology
# of beds in the unit:20
Geographics: Orange County, California
How has your facility or department been affected?: low census for tele and medical. Unsure about surgical and ICU. I've been called off 3-4 days last month. Looking for extra job. I heard it was slow at all hospitals in this area. Registry very slow. In the last year, I've only been called off once I think. Now I've ben called off 3-4 days this month alone. Doesn't look like it's going to turn around fast either.
How has your facility or unit been affected? Census is back to how it was when I first started 10 years ago. It had dropped for several years, but is slowly creeping up. A few years ago, the hospital unit, merged the oncology unit with ours and expanded the otho unit. Our long term care unit was eliminated and several jobs lost. We have a DON and management positions have been lost. ER admissions are up, surgeries seem to be holding their own, our census has picked up as well as ICU. We are currently hiring, overtime is always available and there have been quite a few mandations to overtime. All the facilities in my area appear to be hiring.
Farmer Jane
281 Posts
I was laid off last week. My unit closed, as did several others. No worries, I start a new job this week.