How likely is it to get laid off?

tee_byrd, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

I dont know of many hospitals that does contracts but the nursing profession has changed alot. Nursing use to be stable but since the economy has changed alot of hospitals has closed and alot of nurses are out of jobs. Finding another job is very challanging because there is about 50 nurses competing for one job and its up to the interviewer to accept you. At my job, one of the managers had a pile full of resumes but she said that she was only able to hire 3 people out of the 80 applications she had... very sad. Apart from that there are alot of nurses getting laid off. So if you were the last hired and their doing cuts then the last to get hired is the 1st bunch to leave.. Sometimes I wish I had a more stable career because each day i go to work not knowing if I'm one whos going to get laid off.

ebear, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

I dont know of many hospitals that does contracts but the nursing profession has changed alot. Nursing use to be stable but since the economy has changed alot of hospitals has closed and alot of nurses are out of jobs. Finding another job is very challanging because there is about 50 nurses competing for one job and its up to the interviewer to accept you. At my job, one of the managers had a pile full of resumes but she said that she was only able to hire 3 people out of the 80 applications she had... very sad. Apart from that there are alot of nurses getting laid off. So if you were the last hired and their doing cuts then the last to get hired is the 1st bunch to leave.. Sometimes I wish I had a more stable career because each day i go to work not knowing if I'm one whos going to get laid off.

Nursing has definitely changed. I was recently laid off (along with several others) having several certifications and >30 years experience. Sometimes "last hired" does not apply. The market is tough out there right now. Never trust in the security of your job. Your security lies elsewhere. :heartbeat

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

As a new grad it's also very difficult to get a job depending on where you live right now.plus...while their not laying off nurses dissapear all the time where I work.....it's not like teaching, there is no such thing as tenure.

Mulan · Jan 25, 2011

Many civilian nurses were laid off from military hospitals when bases were closed due to BRAC.

They worked for the Department of Defense, the federal government.

Who would have ever thought that would happen.

Nothing is secure.

Currently the economy is so bad, that nurses are not getting their hours due to cancellations due to low census, even if they have a full time position.

SitcomNurse, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN · Jan 25, 2011

Lets not forget the state of NY where hospitals and nursing homes are closing. all those nurses will be looking for places to go.

This is a good time to not rely on union contracts for a job, and be the best worker you can. I am union, but only becuase it was here before I was. I fall in the middle ground right now. Not high enough to make a significant difference as to cut backs, not low enough to be easily replaced.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

"Aren't there contracts that nurses have to sign though when they first sign up for the job?"

Not for the majority of nursing positions.

"Also, how likely is it to get suspended?"

Depends for the most part on your ability to perform your position. However, there will always be lay-offs and RIF's that have nothing to do with job performance.

"As long as you have good insurance, will you be okay?"

Insurance has nothing to do with keeping your position. Not sure what you meant by that...

"So if you were the last hired and their {sic} doing cuts then the last to get hired is the 1st bunch to leave."

Not necessarily. Sometimes it's the more experienced, more expensive, nurses who are the first to go.

Bottom line: no one can guarantee you anything. Nursing stability has changed, but so have alot of other professions in America.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

Nursing has definitely changed. I was recently laid off (along with several others) having several certifications and >30 years experience. Sometimes "last hired" does not apply. The market is tough out there right now. Never trust in the security of your job. Your security lies elsewhere. :heartbeat

True: they'll often go after the experienced nurses and lay them off because their salaries are higher and so they can save a bit more money. They can always replace them with cheaper hires.

Even though my job seems secure right now, I'm no fool: I'm stockpiling the savings, keeping the resume up-to-date and learning how to network so I have contacts in case I'm let go for whatever reason.

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

I am considered full time. However, we are always getting called off.

One thing I want to add is that so many people are going back to school for nursing but I am here to tell you some people cannot make their car payment after paying their student loans. BE VERY CAREFUL. If you are going back to school do not sign up for a high priced school unless you aim to pay cash. I wanted to go to Vanderbilt for a MSN but credit hours are over 1,000.00 each. I chose a state school and I am living like a pauper to avoid student loans. Some individuals I know are going to these high priced schools for a BSN and they will never be able to make their payments :eek: .

themurseman · Jan 25, 2011

A RN should not "worry" about being laid off. There will always be lay off's. Not all companies and hospitals always perform well. It should not be difficult for an experienced RN to find a job if they were to find themselves laid off. It might not be a dept or a shift you prefer. Nurses, at times, have become too picky. I have met a lot of nurses who feel entitled to this or that. We are not entitled to anything. Nursing offers more job security than almost any other profession. It is an individuals resposiblity to make themselves indispensable to their employer. Also, there are goignt o be scores of nurses retiring over the next 10-15 years. The jobs will be there. Someone always has to take care of the patients.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

A RN should not "worry" about being laid off. There will always be lay off's. Not all companies and hospitals always perform well. It should not be difficult for an experienced RN to find a job if they were to find themselves laid off. It might not be a dept or a shift you prefer. Nurses, at times, have become too picky. I have met a lot of nurses who feel entitled to this or that. We are not entitled to anything. Nursing offers more job security than almost any other profession. It is an individuals resposiblity to make themselves indispensable to their employer. Also, there are goignt o be scores of nurses retiring over the next 10-15 years. The jobs will be there. Someone always has to take care of the patients.

Very interesting opinions. I disagree with the majority of them, but still, it's interesting that someone would have those opinions in this economy and in this job market.Just out of curiosity, have you ever known anyone who was laid off/let go when it wasn't their fault (because they didn't make themselves indispensable to their employer)?

themurseman · Jan 25, 2011

I am sure there are examples of companies or hospitals having lay-offs and having to let go people who were good employees. However, for the most part, if someone is losing their job they should have some careful introspection. I understand that people sometimes lose their jobs for trivial reasons. I feel as if I will not lose my job, and also that if I did, I would find one quickly. I guess I'm just more confident in my own value than your average roser.