best area with job security

[smartnurse1982]

just a question- which area of nursing do u guys think is the most recession proof? A co-worker and i had a discussion about this. I say hospitals are not stable employment because 6 have closed in my city alone. I also said nursing homes and doctor's offices are not a solid places either. Mds could higher some else way cheaper than nurses and the nursing home that i do part time in is up on the market to be sold.She stated maybe home care might be the most stable because its cheaper to provide care in someones home but I say no because my agency recently got rid of the 401(K) and asked some of us to take a $4.00 pay cut because insurance companies like hmo's are not reimbursing as much. Any thoughts would be appreciated because i am kinda scared

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Larger not-for-profit hospitals seem to be stable around here. We were one of the few hospitals busy during the off-season, which is summer. I know a friend working at a for-profit smaller facility that was called off several times during the summer due to low census.

Reimbursement for care provided is becoming a joke these days.

[Pudnluv, ASN, RN]

The hospitals in my area are always looking for nurses. So far it has been pretty stable. MD's offices are usually on the lower end for pay, and I've heard of a lot of docs closing their private practices and going to hospitalists because of the high cost, low reimbursment in private practice. Hospice care seems to always have a need for nurses (God bless those who can do it!) but again, the pay is usually lower. I think the most recession proof nursing jobs are travel agency. They know where the needs are in different regions around the country. So if you are willing and able to travel, I think you would always be able to find work.