How likely is it to get laid off?

[xInspiredx]

I have been searching through old and recent threads, and have stumbled upon posts in which the posters have stated that they have been laid off. One of the main reasons why I am interested in the nursing field is due to the stability (not necessarily for the money, but because I know that I will always have a job). I am worried that that is not the case anymore, but perhaps it can be attributed to the bad economy. Aren't there contracts that nurses have to sign though when they first sign up for the job? Also, how likely is it to get suspended? As long as you have good insurance, will you be okay?

[Zookeeper3]

umn, yeah! When I worked in NY, there was an overpopulation of hospitals with a declining population. A hospital is only allowed so many beds per capita people heads, lol. But not so funny, we had to eliminate beds, units... floors... and when I left a 700 bed hospital was down to 120 beds. They were renting space for HD, doc offices and anything they could fill. There were three hospitals closed in less than two years.

So yes, even with unions many hundreds were laid off.

Currently, or with in the last 5 years, we now call it "restructuring"... management had grown top heavy and all middle management, clinical educators, and groups had their jobs eliminated... they were given a list with a 15 minute decision period to choose a new position or be "let go" Some got early severance packages, we're non union here and had no choice... just "this is your package, pack it up and go".

This happened during a massive nursing crisis... all non patient care nurses were cut to the bone.

So there are two large, massive sweeping examples both union and non union... still don't think it will happen?

Sure, with medicad/medicare not reimbursing for happy smiley scores... it will be more common. Doubt me? Save this link and write back in two years. You cut spending, hospitals cut employees, quality care is lost, scores go down... so medicaid and medicare reimbursement funding drops... more are let go... care suffers, scores drop....

it's not rocket science and it's coming.

[Zookeeper3]

,,,,,,, Also, how likely is it to get suspended? As long as you have good insurance, will you be okay?

NOPE, depending upon your hospital.. or more likely your decision making skills when let loose... one wrong choice is suspension... ticking off family... suspension... failure to perform duties...(charting heels raised on pillows) can equal suspension... discussing something with a co-worker that leads to loud voices... suspension...

this is not a profession where I work... I was treated more as a professional at 17years old at Mc Donalds. Mind you, this is my place of work and not everyones... and no I don't need posts to leave... I am perfectly aware of my options for all those good willing "just leave" peeps.

Insurance protects you from yourself when others sue you for making the right or wrong decision that led to an outcome that they don't agree with... and they still may win, even if you are right. Dang I sound bitter... but it's my truth... so take it for what it's worth.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

it really depends on where you live and what kind of nurse you are. if you live in a big city and have er, icu and floor experience the chances of you finding a job as a RN is much higher than a nurse that has office experience. as a er nurse i have NEVER had a problem finding a job but i do know nurses that have years experience of say l&d, operating room or clinics are finding it harder to find jobs. people will never stop getting sick or injured and being in the health care field is still considered a fairly stable career. some people get out of nursing school and don't want to work ltc or the floor, not realizing that the more bedside experience they have is only an advantage. don't get discouraged this nursing "shortage" goes in cycles.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I was laid off in May... Now I am most likely getting laid off from another job next month. And I have 8 years experience as an RN, so it isn't like I am a new grad. Units just keep on closing.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

A RN should not "worry" about being laid off. .... 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 going to 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.

True.

Nursing shortages are the norm. Occasionally this reverses. Same thing happened back ~84.

I was corporate structured out 4 years back, but was treated quite well, and ended up returning to the institution with a better position a few years later. Also, when the med-surg unit I was on early in my career closed, the institution I was was able to place displaced staff on other units. Luckily for me, they were able to put me in psych, which is where I originally wanted to be!

Nurses can't control if the administration decides to close their unit or department, but they can control their professional growth. Also, the value of networking can't be overstated.

Hospitals usually don't spend the time and money to hire new staff while intending to fire them. Unless you have genuine concerns about the stability of the facility, don't fear the lay-off that will probably never happen.