how do i know a unit is closing

nutella, MSN, RN · Mar 15, 2016

I applied and got accepted for a transfer to another unit and I hear rumors from some staff RNs and managers that the unit may close. I asked the DON of this unit if its true and she said " No way..NOt at all. In fact we have plans to expand it" So I dont know who to believe? What are the signs that a unit may close? should I just go ahead and join my new unit and hope for the best? I would appreciate everyone's input.

I worked in 2 places that closed and the writing was on the wall...

The first one closed after the surgeon did not do as much surgery as expected. The numbers went down, the floor got a mix of all kinds of patients. Then the census went down and the floating started. Once everybody started to float a lot it was clear that the census would not pick up and soon after that the floor closed.

Similar story with the other place. The census was at about 50% capacity when I got hired - administration told me that they were in a summer hole and census would pick up soon. I was not sure this was true but needed a job asap so I took it anyways- it was close and good hours. In any way, after about 2 months census did not pick up and the closed half of the floor - which made me suspicious. When I talked to the manager she said that there were no plans to close yadda yadda.

But by then I did not believe the whole story about the summer hole and what not and looked for a new job because I did not want to wait until last minute. I got another job and left. Management continued to tell everybody that they would not close because by then rumors were ongoing. 8 weeks later they told staff that they were closing and employees could transfer to other locations...

So - management will never tell you anything until it is official because they do not want people to run. Instead they close down the production step by step for a bit.

In both cases they kept telling staff that they would not close -- they will never say anything. Remember, when I got hired they must have known that they would close down and did not say anything....

So what to do in your case?

If you have a good work history and you would not mind transferring ... But if you have a good job now, like your coworkers and management it might be better to wait, especially if it is a different health system and you may not be able to transfer back. Rumors can be true!

amoLucia · Mar 15, 2016

Sometimes the lower level managers are also fed the baloney line. Not their fault if they were lied to too. And that's so sad.

bagladyrn, RN · Mar 15, 2016

When you notice management individuals taking time off repeatedly during the week days there's a good chance they are interviewing elsewhere before the unit closes.

If you notice that supplies are not being restocked, equipment is not being kept up and even minor repairs are not being done it's time to polish up your resume.

This scenario is more likely if you work on a specialty unit in a corporate owned hospital which has several facilities in the general area. They tend to consolidate these units and close down those in smaller community hospitals, especially those the corporation has recently acquired.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 15, 2016

Congratulations on your new position. As with any position... enjoy it while it lasts.

There is no way you can tell if a unit will be closing. That is a business decision that is handled by the powers that be. I have seen big $$$ invested in remodeling more than one unit, only to see it shut down a few months later.

Tell us more about this new unit.

thomas76 · Mar 15, 2016

We recently merged with another health system, and the fear for most staff in the entire hospital is what will happen now? will there be layoffs, or shutdown, or will they find ways to improve? (which is what they say now) But I was looking for a change for a while, and took the offer for the transfer. Its a smaller unit, because its specialized, and its 12 hours, which is what i wanted. But the census has been low, maybe 7-8 patients, sometimes one. This has been going on for years though. But no signs of closure. I just get discouraged listening to such rumors, but would like to be prepared in case it happens.

nutella, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2016

We recently merged with another health system, and the fear for most staff in the entire hospital is what will happen now? will there be layoffs, or shutdown, or will they find ways to improve? (which is what they say now) But I was looking for a change for a while, and took the offer for the transfer. Its a smaller unit, because its specialized, and its 12 hours, which is what i wanted. But the census has been low, maybe 7-8 patients, sometimes one. This has been going on for years though. But no signs of closure. I just get discouraged listening to such rumors, but would like to be prepared in case it happens.

To be honest - that does not sound too good. When somebody merges they usually do it to combine powers . If there is a duplication of services and only one is truly needed, the other one will go. Such small units are usually not really cost effective. What specialty is it if you don't mind to say?

Also, if this is what you really want and you would not mind moving on again - why not - but make sure you are prepared in case they let you go or close the unit.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2016

There are subtle things to notice.

If a place is famous for producing new rules/policies weekly, it stops. Minor repairs are not done and not accepted. New equipment doesn't come. The things the whole hospital does certain time every year (like OSHA training) may be missed. Supplies are not restored. Some policies which are followed routinely go missed - like, every 3 month re-start Pixes machines with everybody changing passwords.

That being said, there is really no way to know even 90% unless you got someone from upper management level as you close friend and bar crawl buddy.

thomas76 · Mar 16, 2016

its a peds unit, and used to be super busy about 10-15 years back. but overall census has been low in the hospital for the last 5 years.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2016

A merger is always a concern. You are a pawn in this game of chess.

I would have 2 other jobs lined up.