Getting laid off

[CABG patch kid, BSN, RN]

I briefly mentioned this in another thread but wanted to focus more on actually getting laid off....

Well I haven't been laid off yet, but new grads at the hopital I work at are up on the chopping block. According to management, the hospital hired nurses in anticipation of increasing census during the winter months. Our census has not been increasing and due to the financial crisis our country is facing, they need to lay off about 20 nurses between 2 sister facilities to save money. This is just one month after getting our new union contract, which includes pay increases across the board for all nurses.

People will be getting laid off according to union seniority. This means if you were a lab tech for 5 years and just recently got your RN, you will have seniority over a nurse who has been a nurse for 3 years but has only been at the hospital for 1 (for example). I have been there since February; there have been a few new nurses hired since myself so I do have a chance at keeping my job, depending on how many they want to eliminate from my unit. They have promised not to lay off anyone until Feb. 9th..... my one year anniversary there is Feb. 11, how ironic is that?

The reason I'm posting this here is to tell everyone this: Never ever take for granted what you have. I always thought I'd have a job as long as I was punctual, safe, and followed all the policies. My patients love me, even the grouchy ones So I can honestly say I never thought in a million years I might lose my job. I can tell you that nursing is NOT a recession proof profession. If acute care is downsizing, I can only imagine what this means for seemingly unneccessary types of care, such as home health, hospice, free clinics, and other forms of outpatient care. Since my hospital is pushing out 20 nurses, that's 20 nurses in my area competing with me for a new job, not to mention the new grads that will be looking for jobs in this area in a few weeks. In fact, I'm sure a lot of those new grads have already applied and maybe even gotten hired in a position that I could be a bit more qualified for

Thanks to those of you that read this far. Most importantly, be thankful for what you have. You never know when you might lose it.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

i know many nurses that have gotten their pink slips lately. in one hospital here they laid off 20 nurses all LPN's and New grad RN's. they have also laid off the night unit clerks and one RN who had her master's in education. in one hospital they laid off all the nurse managers and now the charge nurses are the unit managers and charge nurses,

nursing is not recession proof and i thank God everyday i can get up and go to work. you just never know one day you could come to work and told to go home. it is scary...

i understand your anxiety, with the grace of God the ecomony will improve.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I was thinking that just today, how blessed I am to have this job and the benefits it gives me. I hope as bad as it gets, that I don't take it for granted.

Good luck to you!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I certainly feel blessed and gracious to be employed.

During my growing-up years, my parents experienced profound financial troubles during the three most recent previous recessions (late 1980s, early 1990s, and 2001). My father was especially vulnerable to job loss during national economic slumps because he had only a high school diploma and very general employment skills, so he was laid off during the last two recessions. I pray and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't happen again.

[iamablonde, BSN, RN]

I have been through lay offs before and just recently AGAIN...although this time, I made the FIRST cut. I know what you are going through, but be PRO ACTIVE! Don't sit back and think about the things you CAN'T do, Think about what you CAN Do..... It will be ok....even though every one tells you that....and it doesn't feel like it sometimes....you will make it through it. It won't be easy, and you may have to do some things that you wouldn't do otherwise, but you will be ok. I wish you much luck and hope you find something SOON, if you have to.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

that's why i try not to complain. even when i am having a bad day at work, soemone is having it worse because they can't pay their mortgage. i thank God every day for my health and strength.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I am so sorry. I will keep you in my thoughts and hope things work out for you. You sound like a caring nurse that any place would be lucky to have. I really hope you do not lose your position or if you do, another comes up very soon. Please keep us updated, ok? Thank you for reminding me I am indeed fortunate.

[penguin2]

I never thought I'd see the day where nurses had to worry about layoffs! The same thing is happening where I work- outpatient surgery-- they have laid off all LPNs 1st & then those RNs w/least seniority. They have also frozen all future raises, effective Dec. 1st. We're hoping it won't last long!!

[anewday]

wow...this is scary....I'm still a student and always thought of nursing as one of those professions that were safe from layoffs....this economy is something else

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

The ambulatory surg center here in north texas recently closed and was open for a long time. Just a sign of the times. Hopefully it will get better. At least for now there are always travel positions