Hospital Closing??

[inteRN]

There are rumors floating around that our hospital is closing.....I am a new nurse and not familiar with this type of thing happening...If they do close, how do they go about telling the employees so they all don't leave? Or do they just close the doors in our face all of the sudden?

Managers have told us this is NOT going to happen, but even if it was they aren't going to tell us that b/c they're scared everyone would leave right??

[mmutk, BSN, RN, EMT-I]

I'm not sure this is the right place for your post. Are they just closing the Emergency Department??

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Wouldn't hurt to start getting feelers out for a new job just in case. Also search the internet with a fine tooth comb. Search the hospital itself, it's corporation too. You are right that nobody will be thinking to give you the big heads up.

[GreyGull]

People don't all leave because they have their pensions at stake and want to see if a severance package will be offered. Not everybody is mobile and can immediately job hop. Some also know that the health care industry is not as stable as it once was and are very cautious about moving based just on rumors. As far as a time frame, it all depends on the hospital as to how much notice will be given. However, it doesn't hurt to look at other options especially for whatever retirement account you might have. But, I wouldn't rely just on rumors. Sometimes concerned city council members will get involved if asked to seek out answers especially where the community is concerned.

We just went through the possibility of one of our hospitals closing last year but it was saved...for now.

Another hospital in the area did close as did a few clinics along with several layoffs.

[blueheaven]

Most of the time people don't just abandon ship and leave. As mentioned by OP, they have retirement etc. to think about.

PUT SOME FEELERS OUT! Find some potential employers "just in case." At the hospital I worked at we got TWO WEEKS notice!!! They kept telling us that they weren't going to close but we all knew it was bull.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Normally if a business is not doing well they will first try cutting costs. This may entail closing certain departments that are losing money, retrenchments etc. It very rarely happens that any business, especially a hospital, suddenly goes belly up, there are always warning signs.

Of course, it may happen in the case of bad investments, or even outright corruption and theft, but such a scenario is usually accompanied by the sudden departure of one or more senior managers.

You don't mention how old the hospital is, or whether a new, modern facility has recently opened in your area-this can frequently have a negative effect on the older places; patients are drawn to the pretty, and doctors want to play with new toys.

I would not pay too much attention to rumours. They are often started by people with their own agendas, but if you do see any of the warning signs, start loosening your roots.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

If they do close most people do have pensions severence packages they need to hang on to. Even if they announce the closing put feelers out but there can always be a buy out by other healthcare companies. MOst emergenciy rooms need to seek approval prior to closure to ascertainif they are critical accesws so as to not burden surrounding facilities. Be patient, tweek your resume, and take care of the patients. Panic never serves anyone any good. Goodluck

[ebear, BSN, RN]

It's entirely possible with the mess healthcare is in nowadays. Our hospital was recently bought out and everyone was assured that jobs were "safe." Guess what? They are now laying off nurses and giving 3 months severance. This scenario is happening nationwide. Never thought I'd see the day, but it's here! Quietly start looking for other options. I'll more than likely be in the same boat soon. I am closest to retirement (and more expensive to keep as far as salary goes), 37 yrs experience and several certifications. I've been around long enough to know a fairy tale when I hear it! They tend to keep nurses with limited experience who don't know the difference.

[casper1]

I worked for a Hospital that closed. Guess who was the last to know? Rumors of the closing were rampant, but we were told over and overnot to worry. We were told," I'ts just a rumor, were not closing". As Doctors left we were constantly assured no need to worry. Finally the day came, I found out from one of my patients who was watchinbg the news. It was announced on the News before the staff was told.

[inteRN]

I'm not sure this is the right place for your post. Are they just closing the Emergency Department??

No the whole hospital...

(I tried to post in general but could not find the "new thread" link sorry)

[inteRN]

Normally if a business is not doing well they will first try cutting costs. This may entail closing certain departments that are losing money, retrenchments etc. It very rarely happens that any business, especially a hospital, suddenly goes belly up, there are always warning signs.

Of course, it may happen in the case of bad investments, or even outright corruption and theft, but such a scenario is usually accompanied by the sudden departure of one or more senior managers.

You don't mention how old the hospital is, or whether a new, modern facility has recently opened in your area-this can frequently have a negative effect on the older places; patients are drawn to the pretty, and doctors want to play with new toys.

I would not pay too much attention to rumours. They are often started by people with their own agendas, but if you do see any of the warning signs, start loosening your roots.

We closed down labor and delivery last year and the med surg floor is closed. The hospital is a satellite hospital of the mothership which is downtown. Its only about 15-20 years old. Thing is, we JUST re-did the entire ER last year.