Just went through a lay off, more trouble ahead. (sorry, long)

[estrogen]

Please, please, bare with me. This is a horribly long rant. but I would really appreciate your opinion.

A year ago there were staffing cuts in the hospital that I worked at at the time. I survived the lay off, but it were the two nastiest, most stressfull months in my life sofar. Eventhough I did not get layed off, I ended up leaving that hospital a few months later, because the working atmosphere there never really recovered and was more than grimm... Everyone there seemed tense, stressed and cranky all the time. Not a nice place to go to work every day, really...

Anyway, now I've worked in a SNIF for over three months and I enjoy this job very much. A few days ago we were informed by our DNS that there will be cut backs. we will go down from three nurses on night shift to two and there will be a change from 12 hour shifts to 8 hour shifts. she gave us the option to come up with a schedule by ourselves by a certain deadline or she will implement a rotating four on, two off shedule.

Yeah, it looks like, there will be lay offs again. It seems to be following me around like the plegue... I'm scared. Since I'm currently working there only two days a week, I'm scared that I will get left out somehow and that I will be pushed out by more pro-active people. It might sound funny now, but eventhough I've only been there for three months, there have been so many changes lately, that on my shift I am the second most senior person. However this is not a unionized work place. The DNS told me, that she'll go by seniority, in case she needs to let someone go, but in reality, she can do anything she wants. And she's been known to change her mind in the past...

I really don't want to leave, I don't want to get etched out. This morning I called the DNS to get updated on what's going on over there, since I'm not back till next thursday and I'm so affraid to miss out on something and consequently get walked all over by the other nurses that are there daily and - I can imagine in such a situation - kissing up to the DNS. She wasn't available, so I talked to the staff coordinator. She didn't really want to say much, she only told me, that there is a deadline for the night shift staff to come up with a schedule and that this one nurse who's only been there for about three weeks by the way, but is very ...you know... "active and involved" in this (hmmmm, wonder why:uhoh3: ) is working on creating a schedule. When I asked her again, if it'll go by seniority, she didn't confirm it. She said that it is really up to the DNS.

I told her, that I don't want to bohter the DNS with lots of phone calls regarding this issue, but that I don't want to miss out on any information or meetings and to please call me, if there is any news. I also told her that I would like to emphasize, that I really like to working in this facility and that I definitely don't want to leave. I also told her that eventhough there are schedule patterns that I am not particularly fond off, for the sake of stayng, I am willing to adjust to whatever is necessary, as much as I can. she said that she'll be sure to relay it to the DNS, but who knows? Maybe they really don't give a damn... I want to be pro active and do what I can to protect my status there, but I also don't want to be the one, who calls the supervisors every five minutes and is up their you know what all the time...

Oh I'm so anxious now. These things really upset me. I'm affraid that if I don't stand up for myslef I will loose out. It's a pride issue as well as an issue of not wanting to lose this particular job.

I'm really sorry that this is so long and sort of ranting, but I'm so nervous. Can anyone give me some advice? Any personal experiences? Any feedback? Am I doing too much or too little to protect my own status in the company? Arrrrrgh, how I hate job politics!!!

[SmilingBluEyes]

[quote name=following:

Be Busy

Be Loyal

Be Known

Be Professional

and Be Flexible. .

This is a great list. I just wish EMPLOYERS would follow it. Most employees I know have most if not all, the above attributes. Yet, people are screwed everyday by employers who are anything BUT loyal.

[estrogen]

Bottom line IMO is what will the staff reduction do to your patient ratios? Will you be put in a positon in which you are caring for so many patients that it endangers their health, not to mention your license? If so, run the other way!

No. If the NOC shift runs from 11 to 7, istead from 7 to 7, that eliminates the heavy 2000 med pass, that required the three nurses on the floor. The rest of the night in my opinion is manageable with two nurses. I see the management's point there.

[estrogen]

I don't know Estrogen. I think you may want to bail. I remeber the other thread a few weeks ago where they brought in the new girl for you to train and she told you she would be working your shifts. Then you moved to another unit to accomodate the situation. Now they are having lay off's and changing the shifts frim 12's to 8's and not reassuring you really about anything? I think you need to either stand firm and be vocal about what you wish in light of these changes (and I do mean bother the DNS), or go looking for something else.

What is the situation with respect to other positions in your area? I can understand totally that you hate to make another change so soon and learn another facility, but you have bent over backwards to be accomodating at this facility and they seem to have no regard for that.

You seem to have a great skill set and are willing to be flexible. It seems there would be another employer that would appreciate these attributes. Do you live in a very small town or something?

I totally emphasize with your feelings - I am under that lay off threat a lot also, and I wish I could help more.

Thanks so much for the support, CrunchRN and everyone else!

I did talk to the DNS briefly. ...As far as reassurance goes, she did tell me, that she'd "most likely" go by seniority, if we cannot come to a concensus amonghst ourselves nad she also said, "I really don't want to lose you, since you've shown some falexibility and dependablility"...whatever she ment by that, how seriously she ment it... I given the previous events, that you mentioned earlier, I have a certain degree of mistrust. After all, as had been said before, for the most part, we are probably just numbers to the management...

In regards to the employment situation in this area. I don't think that I'd have a problem finding another job. The question is, how dependable would the next job turn out to be? It might turn out to be even worse... You can't really tell before you've worked there. And I really like this job. I like the facility, my patients, the people I work with and - a BIG plus - it is five minutes from my house. So it's not that I couldn't find another job, if I had to. It's that I don't want to...

[SmilingBluEyes]

Nothing ventured is nothing gained. I can't say I would stay in an insecure or miserable environment one minute longer than I had to, if prospects were good in my area of finding something more to my liking. Life is too short.

[estrogen]

Sorry! Didn't see your post until now. I've got a big test coming up in my Saturday class and I've been focusing on that a bit more.

First of all. . .if the facility is going to 8 hour shifts they are going to need more nurses because ....

Thanks for the great insight. I appreciate that!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Since you can get another job fairly easily, but just don't really want to (I totally understand your reasons), then state your desires, and hang out until everything has settled. If you do not like what they give you it will then be time to move on. Good luck!

[SoniaNurseRep]

Why is noone responding??? I'm sitting here anxiously waiting for a suggenstion or comment from someone. Is it really that unbearingly long? I'm so sorry... I shortened it a little. (I know, not enough.) I'd appreciate anything, as I'm getting so stressed and anxious, working myself up over this, that I'm ready to howl at the moon or something... PUHLEEEEEEZ!

Hi Estrogen,

Although I have never been layed off, I've been involved with several layoffs in recent years. Layoffs are extremely stressful, exhausting, disruptive, etc., but let's face it, the bottom line is that they are running a business and patient care may not be the priority.

Unfortunately, since you are a new-hire, and if they are indeed looking to reduce the RN staff, you may be one of the first to go. I'm sure we would all agree that, unionized or not, it must be done by seniority, unless you work in an area that requires special/unique skills, and that favoritism (or kissing up) has no place here.

Good luck!

[RN Zeke]

Why aren't you involved in making a new schedule? Get active and assertive! Don't sit on your can and wait for something to happen make your life happen! It sounds like you are a part time worker with two shifts. You may need to find a new job and start over being more assertive and quit hanging back.

[trustsupplyguy]

I can relate to the layoffs, having been through a few myself in a previous career. They are very stressful, but you must be willing to adapt. I understand your desire to hold on to your current situation, but all of us must deal with the curveballs life throws us. Sorry, there is no way around it. It happens to everyone, in some form or another. The sooner you can accept this, the better you will be able to deal with your situation. In addition, I suggest a multi-prong approach that includes treating your stress/anxiety/depression, sending out resumes, and hanging it there.

TREAT THE STRESS. Under stress the rational part of our minds tends to shut down, and we often don't think clearly. We may dwell on our shortcomings and problems, and minimize our strengths, and that simply increases the anxiety and encourages depression and inaction. So dealing with the stress/anxiety/depression is very important. Don't go into denial about it. After all, Anxiety is a bona-fide nursing diagnosis!

There are many non-pharmacological methods, such as massage, deep-breathing, excercise, talking with supportive people, etc. There are also pharmacological treatments, including some effective herbs. I have found a combination of chamomile and kava-kava to be very helpful in lowering anxiety levels. Melatonin, valerian and anti-histamines are also aids in getting a good nights sleep. SAMe helps fight the depression that often accompanies anxiety. These things are all pretty benign (nonhabit-forming and minimal side effects) and available OTC. Kava, valerian, and SAMe are listed in the Davis Drug Guide For Nurses, 9th editon, and others I'm sure.

SEND OUT RESUMES. When I was faced with layoff situations years ago, I bailed to avoid the stress. Unfortunately I did not have a job lined up, thinking "I won't have any trouble getting a job" -- wrong! My wife, on the other hand, sent out resumes and had a job lined up when her hospital closed. Definitely the way to go. When you are employed while you look for a job, you are in a more powerful position in the interview. They will ask if they can contact your employer for references, and you can say no. Due to your situation, it is a reasonable response, and you can offer other people you've worked with as references. In my wife's case, she ended up at a much better hospital and she is very happy.

HANG IN THERE. Staying put is the other option. You don't know how things will shake out, and it could work in your favor. But why not send out resumes while you're waiting? It seems like it can only help to have other options. Just the act of doing this will give you a sense of control over the situation, which will help you cope with the stress.

Bottom line: Treat your stress/anxiety/depression, start sending out resumes, and hang it there. It's a lot of work, it's not easy, but you can do it!

[RazorbackRN, BSN, RN]

It sounds to me that what is so scary for you is that you have no "Plan B" lined up and can't bear to think of one. I can promise you taht things will be much easier for you if you know that if the layoffs happen, you have another place willing to employ you.

Layoffs feel horrible, the scary "am I next?" feeling like no other. However, they can be a good thing. I would not be a nurse today if I hadn't been laid off from a mortgage company in Florida, moved back to Alabama, and began work as a secretary in a hospital. At the time of the layoff, it felt like my life was over. There was nowhere else that I wanted to work and I was just miserable- and afraid.

If I were you, I would start handing out resumes. Be honest with whomever interviews you, let them know that you are currently employed but facing possible layoffs. It might just spur them into giving you an offer you can't (and don't want to) refuse!

I don't know if you are religious, or if you believe in fate, but what comforts me is that line from "The Sound of Music"... "Whenever God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window." Although the view from that window may be different and at first frightening, soon you may find that you would not change it for the world.

Lori

Nicely said!

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

Corporate America kills me. They will do anything to benefit themselves..and at the cost of their customers and and employees.

I'm going through a similar scenario: I was hired full-time as a QI Analyst back in August, when my manager was drowning in a sea of backlogged charts waiting to be abstracted. Now that she's caught up, she and her manager have decided that they no longer need a full-time nurse and will soon be advertising my job part-time. "We're not budgeted for a full-time nurse", she told me two weeks ago. If that is the case, why did she hire me as a full-time nurse, to begin with?

The answer is simple: It's called funneling, where companies get you in and out...as quickly and as conveniently as possible..to meet their short-term needs for staffing. Never mind that Christmas is just around the corner, and that I've got two mortgages to pay. I just wish I had known what their

real plans were for me, when I was first hired.

Somehow I find it hard to believe that they can't afford me, when their Corporate office sits right in the middle of one of the most affluent sections of town...and is decorated with the best mahogany furniture that money can buy. Gripes my butt!! :angryfire

You are not alone. Get out there and find yourself something else. I am. I interviewed for another position earlier this week and have been offered top dollar for another one by a temp agency. Neither of us need the added stress or strain of not knowing from day to day whether or we are going to have a job or not.

[trustsupplyguy]

I was hired full-time as a QI Analyst back in August, when my manager was drowning in a sea of backlogged charts waiting to be abstracted. Now that she's caught up, she and her manager have decided that they no longer need a full-time nurse and will soon be advertising my job part-time.

I've had this happen in my previous career. What burned me was it made me look like a job-hopper or a screw-up, when I was really just a pawn in their game. The discharge interview was really unpleasant; they told me I had screwed up so they could show they had a legal reason for firing me (they were already being sued for this). Fortunately, I said, "Why don't we just say I was a consultant, rather than an employee?" They went for this and later gave me a good reference.