cutbacks

[whodunit]

Hi,

Just wondering how and what management has done to save money on your unit, what you think about it, and any suggestions you think would work? Our unit has now decided unless there are 6 pts, we do not get a tech, we have no unit sec., they are sending a lot of edcational stuff ouit with us to do on our on time and turn back in and if you miss a shift, you have to work a shift for whoever worked your missed shift.I work nights on a med psych unit and there are 2 nurses and a tech. We RN's have to liason with ER, assess and precert pts as well.Seems a little scary to me here lately.I think {at least they do this at my hosp} that they could better save money and provide better pt care if they would stop the mile long free buffets the docs get on a daily basis

[Jules A, MSN]

One of my jobs has cut hours. I don't get it because the census is the same as its been for two years and now all the sudden we are operating in the red. Personally I think they are using the state of the economy as a timely excuse to pinch pennies at the expense of staff and patients.

[whodunit]

Thanks Jules,

I agree that they are using the ecomony as a tool;and it makes me so mad.Its like one of my co-workers said when they decided the stuff about whoever called in having to work a shift for whoever covered for them.The powers that be were not punishing the nurses who call in all the time as much as they were worried about saving money at the expense of those of us who have to cover all the time. Round and round it goes, where they will stop, nobody knows!!!!!!