I should be grateful to have a job,but

[ktwlpn]

Does anyone else feel like they are wearing a target on their back? It seems to me that after so many years of nursing shortages in which admin had to work WITH us and not against us ( being flexible with our schedules,etc) the pendulum has swung the other way. The economy tanked and admin are almost gleeful at the ways they can now make us suffer. I know I have been spoiled because I don't work in a for- profit facility and have had great bennies but it's happening everywhere around here.

For several years our admin has accomodated staff with flexible hours. Suddenly all were told they had 30 days to "make other arrangements " and then their schedule would revert to the proper shift time. No more uniform allowance. No raise this year. Changes in pension plan and insurance plans.

No we are hearing about "changes in the New Year" No more unit charge nurses-they are cutting down staffing on each unit- both nurses and cna's. Nurses may be laid off unless they can force a few into retirement. BUT-we are getting "unit managers" ANOTHER layer of mid level management. HOW does THAT save money? Charge nurses have NEVER gotten extra pay for their suffering and many have been lpn's.Now with the changes in health care we have more rn's then ever before. Looks like a nice perc for them and a slap in the face for those of us who have been there for years. One weekend a month, more $$$$ and no floor duties.I can't wait to see the complete job description.I just can't see how this will be a positive change but I sure am going to embrace it-or at least they'll think I have. After all-I'M GLAD I HAVE A JOB!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I don't see myself being a RN in LTC. I don't feel my supervisory skills(although I feel myself getting stronger) are strong enough.

They are. You just have to learn to write people up. That's taken me a long time but it's the only thing some people notice. I tried being the nice boss and it doesn't work. I'm still nice but if you I find a pattern of stuff you screw up you will be formally counselled.

Oh, and the RNs keep getting more piled on, too. But thank a merciful providence I'm not behind a med cart anymore.

[indigonurse]

Seems like there is no where to run to, no where to hide.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

How many times do I have to say it? Call National Nurses United, find out how to organize your hospital and do some research into EXACTLY how your hospital is violating not only state but Federal employment laws. STUDY your states nurse practice act, and then UPHOLD it. Though it seems in your case this might be a RN/LPN territorial argument. In which case, if they want to hire RN's and phase out LPN's, they have the perfect right to do that, and there is not much you can say.

I work in a government run LTC in an "right to work " state. No violation of any labor laws here-it's "just business". Things have recently transpired in the opposite direction from what most of us believed would happen-it's most of the rn's getting the boot. Unbelievable,isn't it? I'm happy I still have a job but feel awful for my coworkers-some of whom I have known for almost twenty years. Every department's budget has been slashed and staff were let go across the board.

The intent of my OP was to bemoan the state of health care and my situation in particular (OK-I was whining) 20 years ago when I got my license I could name my price-I easily got the job and the shift I wanted.That continued through the mid 90's in this area. I remember applying for jobs after my son went to school all day every application I submitted resulted in a full time job offer-How many years before we see that again?

It's scary to feel like you are walking on thin ice-something millions of americans are now feeling.Coming here to vent is usually helpful-I know "there is not much anyone can say" to stop the carnage but commiserate a little bit,would you?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I work in a government run LTC in an "right to work " state. No violation of any labor laws here-it's "just business". Things have recently transpired in the opposite direction from what most of us believed would happen-it's most of the rn's getting the boot. Unbelievable,isn't it? I'm happy I still have a job but feel awful for my coworkers-some of whom I have known for almost twenty years. Every department's budget has been slashed and staff were let go across the board.

The intent of my OP was to bemoan the state of health care and my situation in particular (OK-I was whining) 20 years ago when I got my license I could name my price-I easily got the job and the shift I wanted.That continued through the mid 90's in this area. I remember applying for jobs after my son went to school all day every application I submitted resulted in a full time job offer-How many years before we see that again?

It's scary to feel like you are walking on thin ice-something millions of americans are now feeling.Coming here to vent is usually helpful-I know "there is not much anyone can say" to stop the carnage but commiserate a little bit,would you?

Oh, I think there's PLENTY to say about all this........only most of it wouldn't be printable.

At the nursing home that slashed my hours to the bone this past summer, there is now only one RN on the floor---all the other nurses are LPNs. There used to be eight of us, but only the crusty old male RN who's been there since Hector was a pup remains.........all the rest were laid off, fired, or "encouraged" to leave, as I was, by having their hours reduced to such a level that they lost their health insurance and couldn't pay their bills.

It's understandable in the business sense; after all, LPNs generally earn less money than RNs, and in LTC they do practically everything an RN does. But I also think that if the companies that own these facilities could get away with it, they'd staff only CNAs and CMAs and forgo licensed staff entirely, because when principle comes up against profit, the principle fares ill. And at some point, we'd ALL be out of a job. Phooey.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

And the hits just keep on coming. Things are just getting worse-now it seems that they are making life miserable for us "seasoned "nurses in an effort to get some of us to leave. I can't say too much because I see allnurses.com logos all over the offices these days. I'm telling you,I wouldn't be surprised to see laundry,housekeeping and dietary staff all cross trained to each department. Oh- Why bother with laundry? Let's just run the fully dressed resident through a car wash type device (picture that) I can probably hook a floorbuffer to my med cart...