I can feel the sqeeze.

[oramar]

Not to long ago there were a lot of supportive articles in the press about the nursing shortage. Just recently I have noticed a change in focus. The big focus is on cost cutting. I am only back at work 5 months and I can see a difference in the attitude of managment from June to November. There was interest in hiring and retaining when I was brought back in to the fold. Though I must admit they were not doing a very good job, they were at least trying. In just a few short months they have gotten a very hard attitude and have begun to focus more and more on cost saving. It is getting nasty out there. I can feel the sqeeze and it seems like dejavu all over again..

[BadBird, BSN, RN]

It always comes down to the almighty dollar with administration. We nurses know that and have to look out for our best interests because our employers really don't give a hoot. What a shame that there is no reward for dependability, realiability, experience. We experienced nurses are not valued, we are looked upon as a liability, the admin. would rather hire a bunch of new grads with zero expereince because it saves them a few bucks.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

In a way, it DOES come down to the almighty dollar. If there is not enough money to pay employees then the business might reduce staff or services or go out of business altogether. Few facilities have unlimited income. While I agree that management should not sacrifice employees to maintain their own salary, we should be sensitive to the business side of this profession also. If you believe in team work then include everyone in the team, not just one group.

[Gldngrl]

One of the problems is that nurses are not included in problem solving. Knowledge is power and if we were given factual information that could assist the hospital in providing quality care and eliminating unneccessary expendentures, we would also be in a much better position to argue our strengths. Hospital corporations don't want us being able to argue that we need X amount of nurses and it will save X amount of dollars in liability costs, etc. etc. so that information is withheld. Then we're looked down upon when we state our arguments from a nursing viewpoint and from scientific research, but that's all the information that we currently possess. It would be nice if some of these nurses turned CEOs maintained a proemployee stance and would disclose financial information that would benefit not only nurses, but the entire community. MMB

[Geeg]

Sure, facility income is not ulimited, but when hospitals have millions of billions of year profit, I don't perceive them as limited.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by purplemania

In a way, it DOES come down to the almighty dollar. If there is not enough money to pay employees then the business might reduce staff or services or go out of business altogether. Few facilities have unlimited income. While I agree that management should not sacrifice employees to maintain their own salary, we should be sensitive to the business side of this profession also. If you believe in team work then include everyone in the team, not just one group.

I agree, we have to be sensitive to the economic needs of the organization. But too many organizations view nurses as an expense.

To me an investment in nurses and staff means safer outcomes, happier patients, and happier doctors, which in the long run improves your reputation in the community. Which in the long run means an increase in your hospital census. Which in the long run means more money.

[Katnip, RN]

It is true that facilities need to make money to stay afloat. Cuts in Medicair/Medicaid hurt hospitals. So does the fact that there are people out there who need help but can't pay at all. But most hospitals are for-profit companies and they're making cuts to increase those profits. Take a look at your CEO's salary. You won't see any cost-cutting there.