How could a DON not know?

[Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN]

I just got let go from my fantastic new job of Staff Developement RN for a rehab center after only 2 weeks! Shattered doesn't even begin to describe it. I loved this place from the instant I interviewed and that feeling only magnified in the weeks that followed. I have never felt a job fit so well and loved everyone I worked with. I could have really seen myself putting roots in there instead of the 1 or 2 years of "getting x type of experience".

I was hired in November for a December start. I was told there was a strong possiblity of a buyout but not to worry. A major player owned them before with fantastic benefits and perks. The employee morale was seriously one of the most fantasic I have ever encounterd and the poeple are what made this place. The people who bought it are from a different state. You cannot google them, nothing comes up and they are supposedly heavy into buying a lot of LTC's right now. They changed the name as of January 1.

I was told even on the interview there was nothing to worry about. She just wanted me aware that there was the possible buyout. Before I started I was told the sale was going through, but again don't worry that it was a great time to start, we'd all be learning together.

Things stated to upset the DON and she was one of the most laid back people I ever encountered. The new company wanted to take away the evening and weekend differentials. The aides spoke up and the new company countered with bringing them back but at a reduced rate.

The dietician was let go. She offered to stay, but they refused. They don't even have a solid person in place just someone who will "float" for the time being until they can get someone!

Of note, they didn't have a staff developer for awhile. The DON and ADON were splitting the job. They were super excited to have me and told me that I would be taking over the restorative nursing piece that was huge.

They also took one of the people that worked in social services and moved them to admissions.

The DON flipped out about the shift diiffeentials (before she found out they decided to give a counter offer) They tell her virtually nothing and it's obvious she was getting more than upset. She had no idea my job was being cut. As of this morning we were still discussing benefits and computer log in issues. By 330p I was called in to the administrator's office and delivered the news. Shocked is an understatement. She claimes this is not "their" decision, that they loved me and wanted to keep me but it was coming from corporate that they are going to combine roles.

It's unique in thtat LPN's do all the floor stuff and RN"s do supervisor/management roles. It was a true team. Nobody had ego's everyone helped. I just loved it and cannot believe I will find anything close to this.

But how can the DON be left that much in the dark? Does it sound like even bigger changes are going to happen?

Also they lied to us just yesterday when the new insurance was done and we had no choice but to sign, it is higher than the previous plan. They said they would look into it and it wasn't locked in except for January. Turned out that was a lie as they have that insurance now for the year and claiim they can't change it! Thanks for any insight.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry, it's a shame when a place you love has something horrible happen because of corporate. Sounds like they are about to completely destroy that place. Perhaps its better for you because now you can go somewhere where a huge upheaval isn't about to happen.

[amoLucia]

I'm sorry, it's a shame when a place you love has something horrible happen because of corporate. Sounds like they are about to completely destroy that place. Perhaps its better for you because now you can go somewhere where a huge upheaval isn't about to happen.

This is true. Just know that the DON may be the next casualty of the corporate reshaping, just as you were. It freq happens when a new company takes over an old one, and some companies are really NASTY.

As PP said, it's a shame for you to be blind-sided. But maybe it was for the better to be done earlier than later. Good luck for your future.

[Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN]

Thank you both. I kind of thought others would go. Even though I understand corporate could get rid of her too, I didn't realize how common that was. She and the ADON are two of the most wonderful people in that kind of position that I have ever met. It seems she was not able to either ask, or get straight answers from the "DON" of the new company who she said was her boss. I don't think he will take over because he talks about having to "do this again" to another facility as they are big on buying many places right now. But it's odd no one has heard of them!

That maybe should have been my first red flag, but I already accepted the offer and quit my other job. It is hard right now, but as I believe everything happens for God's greater glory, I pray with faith that something even better is planned for me soon. I already have a lead on something, so either that or something else. It's just so incredibly sad though that they are going to destroy what was an amazing place. I never in my life had "joy" to go to work. Joy in other areas, but not usually work. That is what made the place so special. And the new company even said that is why they were buying it (at least that is the tale they were selling us) for the people.

In anyone's experience if they are an out of state corporation, how exactly do they bring in "their" people? I mean it seems they don't have people per se, unless it's meant that they put out job listings and hire from scratch? OH, another thing that was odd is we all (including the DON) had to fill out job applications again! They wouldn't take the ones from the previous company. I have been through a few takeovers in my past and never once did I have to "requalify" my position. The name would just change and that was that. We even had to have references for them! Even the people that were there 15 and 20 years!

Another thing is the way certain things like insurance were handled. Technically we didn't have insurance as of January 1. We had to rapidly fill out papers on the 3rd that were being filed retro actively for coverage! Isn't that weird? I mean they knew in November it was a strong possibility the takeover would happen, so shouldn't they have had things like the insurance worked out? And the insurance things we filled out are not under this unknown corporate name. They were under the newly named facility which I found odd as well. I mean you would think they would have a better rates if they would have used their corporate name as that would have more facilities tied to it. Anyway the whole thing was just strange.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I've been through several of these things, and what you've described isn't a bit unusual. New job applications, people getting tossed out of their jobs, restructuring of the jobs that were left, insurance woes......yep, it's more common than you think, and far more common than it should be. I'm sorry this happened to you. (((HUGS)))

[amoLucia]

As Viva said, this type of occurrence is fairly commonplace when new corps take over. The old adages "out with the old, and in with the new" and the one about the '"clean sweep" with new broom applies.

Big corps have in-house 'consultants' on their payrolls. They are "in favor" staff who are usually ex-NHAs, ex-DONS, ex-SWs, ex-Activity heads, etc. They probably worked in several of their OTHER facilities and they moved up into the cushy positions. They DO have experience, incl Staff Devel & MDS. They are freq plopped into any position for the short-term until new dept heads are selected. Anybody in a management position in the old place really needs to be concerned for his/her position when a roll-over occurs. Your DON may have really been caught off-guard or she may have had some inkling of upcoming shenanigans. I wouldn't be surprised if she is not the next casualty as she herself may be being schmoozed.

The most safe employees are the front line staff, the nurses and CNAs. But even their positions are scrutinized so the new corp can weed out any 'problem-children' (like progressive disciplines, sick leave, work comp, union, etc). And ALL depts. are reviewed.

I've seen provider contracts like pharmacy, lab & professionals change. I've known attending MDs to be pushed out.

It's just business to them, but I'd be curious what their reputation/field record with state surveys reveals.

[Bella'sMyBaby]

Kitty Hawk, what you experienced is typical.

Company buy-outs are usually brutal & they will lie to your face.

I am working for a large LTC Corporation now who apparently has been sold (according to rumors/upper management).

I've been told that Staff Development Positions are always the first to go, especially when there are financial concerns.

[Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN]

Thank you,

I understand better. The pharmacy contract did change, they were working on getting new equipment things like IV pumps. I would guess though that the RN's may need to be concerned. Every RN there is considered a "management" position and is salaried because they are the supervisors to write the orders etc. The LPN's do the meds, treatments. Except the DON and ADON are also the wound nurses. I was talking to friends last night and they said that many there who have the 15 and 20 years that make really nice money are likely in jeaporady since the new company can hire for less money.

At least since it seems since it's a well known thing in the field, I can take comfort in being able to explain it to future employers that it really was out of my hands. Thanks again, and for all the well wishes. I appreciate it.

[fetch, BSN, RN]

You have my sympathies! A similar situation in a different field happened to me -- it was technically seasonal work, requiring a re-hire every year, but standard practice for YEARS held that as long as you didn't have any disciplinary actions or personality conflicts with the higher-ups, it was just a formality to re-apply. Except that a new VP came in, and everyone in the managerial position I held was not re-hired. Most insultingly, we got an "anonymous" email from a corporate account replying to our applications that said we weren't qualified for the positions we had just been doing! (I say "anonymous" because it was a generic "thanks but no thanks," however since we'd all been working there we knew exactly who had written it.)

Anyway, long story short, that's how I ended up in nursing school. In the long view, things really do usually work out for the best! You never know what losing this position will open you up for.

[Sam J.]

Betcha a buck it's the Ensign Group. They have all kinds of different subsidiaries, and are buying up all kinds of health care facilities, silently, even mysteriously. They operate exactly the way OP detailed. From my personal experience, they fire 'the whole place', decimate any benefits that were provided earlier, then bring in their own people (yes, those people move all over the place for them), to finish destroying it from the top down, to make sure they erase 'every' minute trace of the former owners, or former employees. They are nasty, and even cruel in how they treat people, like you can't imagine. They take no prisoners, so if it is them, and they told you directly and clearly that your job will be safe, be prepared to be shown the door before the week it out. Ensign group is the sole company I've ever seen that feels compelled to fix a place that isn't broken (by tearing it apart), as if they take some kind of delight is the devastation they cause. If a team from corporate comes to your place, all impeccably dressed, Caucasian, and most of them above average in height, and with odd demeanors (akin to a trance), that might give you a clue to who bought your place.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

OMG, so sorry! I will keep you in my prayers. Anymore, nursing is a nasty business.....corporate America will not be happy until they totally wreck it!