Your opinion please

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am currently working at a For Profit hospital where I feel like the staff is stretched too thin and everything is about billing the patient for every little thing. Is it better working in a Not For Profit hospitals? Are the staffing levels better?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

I've only ever worked for non-profits myself, but from what I've read here on allnurses, it does seem to make a difference... in a for-profit company, the hospital will work in the best interest of the shareholders and the bottom line, period. In a non-profit, while we aren't out to lose money, our focus is on remaining in good standing with the community, and that means providing good patient care. Unfortunately in alot of areas of this wonderful country, like the southeast, for-profits seem to be all that are out there. Maybe that will change with healthcare reform looming, but I'm not holding my breath!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I work for a non-profit hospital and the staffing is pretty much based on our census and acuity of our patients. I am mostly satisfied with my patient load but I also work in an ICU so our ratio can only be 1-3 patients anyways. I believe all hospitals are going to be obsessive with patient charges; mine is and apparently we lose quite a bit of money each month in non-documented charges. I don't mind that hospitals bill patients for everything because I don't want lost money being taken from my raises/bonuses and/or better and more unit supplies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

IDK, b/c I have never worked for a for profit facility, but I can tell you it's pretty damn bad in the not for profit sector too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I work for a non-profit hospital and the staffing is pretty much based on our census and acuity of our patients. I am mostly satisfied with my patient load but I also work in an ICU so our ratio can only be 1-3 patients anyways. I believe all hospitals are going to be obsessive with patient charges; mine is and apparently we lose quite a bit of money each month in non-documented charges. I don't mind that hospitals bill patients for everything because I don't want lost money being taken from my raises/bonuses and/or better and more unit supplies.

I feel like where I work all the money is going into billing & better billing and that is the only technology the hospital has invested in. There is technology that makes med administration safer (which this hospital needs bad) but "cant afford it". They have stretched the staff so thin the patient care is really suffering. The care is not about the patients at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I work in a not-for-profit....the answer to your question is no, it's not better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
IDK, b/c I have never worked for a for profit facility, but I can tell you it's pretty damn bad in the not for profit sector too.

I feel like where I work all the money is going into billing & better billing and that is the only technology the hospital has invested in. There is technology that makes med administration safer (which this hospital needs bad) but "cant afford it". They have stretched the staff so thin the patient care is really suffering. The care is not about the patients at all.

I work in a not-for-profit....the answer to your question is no, it's not better.

thank you, my 3 amigos.:)

seriously, "not-for-profit" is a joke, according to my experiences as well.

mostly everyone, is concerned w/the bottom line ($$).

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not sure if it really depends on for profit or not for profit, i think money really is the root of all intentions in both areas; the overall goal of most hospitals is to make money and keep the doors open but the difference lies in the individual physicians and other staff who are there for the right reasons (to genuinely help people) instead of counting the dinero. You can find these good intentioned people in either situation...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Is it better working in a Not For Profit hospitals? Are the staffing levels better?
Keep in mind that nonprofit hospitals also need to make money and be profitable to remain afloat. All hospitals, including for-profit facilities and the nonprofits, are concerned with the final numbers under that bottom line.

Therefore, the grass might not be greener on the other side of the rainbow.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment