Is your hospital closing?

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

I'm just curious. I have worked for the same small hospital for the last 3.5 years. My mom has worked there for 12 years. Can't imagine going else where. It is a very small facility, owned by a larger hospital in the nearby city. We always hear how we are losing "millions" each year, and rumors abound that they are going to have to close the hospital. But they have abounded for 12 years, that I know of, that it was going to close.

Is this just a small hospital fear? My best friend works at a similar size hospital, owned by the same parent hospital, and they hear the same rumors. Until recently, it has only been staff and patients, and the community talking about it, but now I have heard a couple of higher ups talk about it too. I'm just curious if this talks goes on at other small hospitals.

[lvnandmomx3]

I worked for a small/medium size hospital that did close d/t financial strain. We went through 2 different non profit owners (catholic affiliated) that were not able to save us. The rumor had been around almost the whole time I was employed there (5yrs).

It was sad to see the place that I worked for close its doors. It did open up opportunities for me as that is how I was able to go to nursing school. I wish the best for you and your mother.

[catlynLPN]

It happened alot in the state I live in, which is a rural state.

Lots of little towns lost their hospitals due to financial strains. Now, alot of those people have to travel so much further to get to healthcare.

And of course, their hospitals closed down, so their doctors also left.

My town is the largest in this county, so we have the hospital in this area.

[Irish Nurse 89]

The hospital that I work at is not closing. As a matter of fact, we are in the process of expanding, due to all the business that has come our way from another smaller hospital that recently closed in the area.

[bagladyrn, RN]

I'd be most wary of these rumors only if your small hospital is bought out by one of the large "for profit" hospital management chains. These organizations are known for buying out community hospitals in areas where they have other larger hospitals then closing the small hospitals. They do tend to talk a good story when "selling" the idea to the communities.