facility implosion post-takeover

Published

The rolling tide of SNF Takeovers hit my 5-star facility well over a year ago, and we became LT and PAC. Since then, our once-happy little organization has been afflicted with several maladies: vendor service issues r/t non-payment, staff and nursing policies that change almost weekly, unfilled staff shortages r/t revolving-door-dissatisfaction (read abject terror), an entire HR department "disappearing", admin forced to become salespeople (as if they didn't have enough to do), necessary building repairs being ignored, IT and telephone issues beyond staff capability to fix, and yes, even "delays" in payroll. More than a few of our LT residents have left us for other "better" facilities. Of course, we staff members are being 'coached' (read expected) to maintain the correct attitude, and to desist from any comments remotely construed to be complaints. Too much other deterioration to mention.

I know we're kinda late to be afflicted with TakeoverItis, but I need a reality check. Has this happened in other places?

(Limited options for other employment, but am watching opportunities like a hawk and networking with those who've successfully found other positions. Not even a battle-hardened curmudgeon like me can nurse in this environment. Not without a better hammer for the chisel I'll need for charting in stone.....)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Happened at the first LTC where I worked. Ninety days after the takeover, they announced layoffs. Desired effects achieved. Everybody with a viable pulse started to call their contacts and left for new digs if they could.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Very similar to what I am experiencing now :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

It's unfortunately the way of the world. Wait till the baby boomers need care en masse. I'm going to live on a cruise ship

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Assisted Living nursing, LTC/SNF nursing.

Yep, going through something like this myself but on a small scale.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I have worked in the same building through 3 owner changes and heading into the 4th. The first two changes were pretty seamless so I hope this new company's takeover goes well. I do have a few concerns as nobody has been very forthcoming yet as to what changes we can expect. About all I know is pay periods are definitely different than what we have now. Nobody has said a word yet but I am concerned this could potentially affect everybody's schedule if our current schedules result in overtime based on the new pay periods.

Then there is the little matter of benefits. Open enrollment is starting and it's highly unlikely that the new company will maintain the exact same insurance carriers with the exact same policies that we currently have. Same with our 401k, I don't even know yet if it as option with this new company and odds are if they do offer it the financial company managing it will be different, or at the very least it will be a different plan as our current company is still very much in business -they just sold a few facilities and ours happens to be one of them. The last two ownership changes were a whole company takeover so this is a totally new situation.

I am not panicking yet, but it might not be a bad idea to look at other employment options. I don't want to jump ship too soon, but on the other hand I don't want to be in the position of looking for a new job at the same time as everybody else if a mass exodus happens.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've worked for the same facility for almost 8 years now and we have gone through what my coworker and I like to call "The Purge" at least 3 times, each time an administrator changed which typically means a new DON, ADON, Staff Developer, and at least one UM. It never gets easier, we just grit our teeth, smile and nod our heads. DON'T get caught up in gossip, drama, or the discussions with other coworkers about the new conditions and such. It gets worse before it gets better. But if you keep your nose clean and follow your job description, you're golden!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long Term Care, Expert Witness.

I am leaving LTC after 40 years for a lot of the same reasons. It's been a good career but even I, with my Mary Poppins attitude, can't do it anymore.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

HA! Just when I thought it couldn't get much worse....(kinda like using the Q word :wacky:)...it has, with Mass Staff Defections. Our core nursing staff is down to 3 RNs and 2 LPNs (ALL part-timers), MDS and DON have put in their notices, our NHA was replaced by someone who has a history as a "closer" last month - and I can't even keep track of the CNAs. Have to keep this job until I can find another, but if I have to face another NOC with only myself and one CNA, I may have no choice but to run away faster. Difficult to surprise this curmudgeon anymore, but I've never been so close to refusing an assignment on the basis of patient safety in my entire career.

Posting here simply to vent - yes, I see the handwriting on the wall. Appreciate any/all understanding and support. Who will care for the patients who have no choice in this after the last employee quits? :banghead:

(Frosting on the cake? We got our first raise in 3 years. I'm donating mine to charity....I'm already conflicted about accepting pay from a company that so blatantly cares nothing about people, nor safety, nor facility, nor paying bills, ad infinitum...)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To kbrn.... I hope clarity re: benefits has reached you by now. Our takeover actually got us better health insurance choices and other benefits (some of the Mother Ship's Right Coast facilities' staffs are unionized, I understand), and although the definition of a FT employee was changed to exclude us 12-hour shifters (raised from 36 hrs/wk to 37 - kinda blatant slam), we were at least allowed to keep our benes. After 2 rounds of "open enrollment", little has changed (except the premium increase, disguised as a 52-week/yr deduction to replace the 50-week/yr deduction....sneaky, that).

BTW, hiya neighbor - Wisconsin here, too. FWIW? I'd keep your resume UTD. All the best to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
To kbrn.... I hope clarity re: benefits has reached you by now. Our takeover actually got us better health insurance choices and other benefits (some of the Mother Ship's Right Coast facilities' staffs are unionized, I understand), and although the definition of a FT employee was changed to exclude us 12-hour shifters (raised from 36 hrs/wk to 37 - kinda blatant slam), we were at least allowed to keep our benes. After 2 rounds of "open enrollment", little has changed (except the premium increase, disguised as a 52-week/yr deduction to replace the 50-week/yr deduction....sneaky, that).

BTW, hiya neighbor - Wisconsin here, too. FWIW? I'd keep your resume UTD. All the best to you!

The benefits are definitely NOT better. The new company rolled us all over into a different insurance plan. No input or open enrollment involved, they just mailed us new cards and left it to us to actually figure out what the insurance policy is. Just a couple of very negative changes I've noticed so far: My doctor, that I've gone to for years is no longer in network. I'll have to either pay a lot more to see him or switch doctors. MY prescription coverage is also worse. My husbands BP med that used to have a zero co-pay now costs a little over $20.00. It's not a ton of money, but that $20/month will sure add up over time. I haven't had to fill any other scripts yet, so no idea how much more they will be. ANd yes, the premiums went up. Supposedly because there are fewer pay periods but even taking that into account the premiums still took a considerable jump.

At least no changes to the schedule have been made, and even working 12 hour shifts I am not getting OT even though I work well over 40 hrs/wk so I'm not sure how the powers that be figured that one out but I'm glad they did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion