Layoffs

[MJ48]

I have been currently working as an RN in a LTC facility for the past 8 months since graduating in June in 2016. Although it was not my first choice I've been trying to make the most of it. I do have good and bad days, although I feel mostly bad. I did have a rocky start but I believe its been getting better with a with bump every now and then. The RNs at this facility were told about 1-2 weeks ago that the almighty management from head office decided to make some staffing changes. They are planning to cut 2 full time RNs from the day shift and put one on evenings and one on nights. Me being part-time I am there when the RN has her days off. First off in my head I am thinking not so nice words that I shouldn't say out loud. The task of telling us this fell on the ADOC. We could tell this isn't what she wanted. They didnt want to use the word layoff but according to the union this is what it is. Apparently at other facilities they manage this is what staffing is like. They also sated that evenings and night shifts apparently need extra help. I believe it was mentioned that evenings and nights have complained that the day shift leaves a lot of stuff for the evening and night shift to do. This got me thinking, first of all the heaviest shift it the day shift. One it has the heaviest med passes, at out facility any ways. Doctor's day is during the day. Processing orders is done during the day. Wound care and other treatments are done during the. Yes, I do acknowledge that we sometimes leave stuff for other shifts to complete, however, its not like we do this all time or on purpose. Apparently we have to apply/bid for these new positions. Me being part-time I don't think I will get a position based on my seniority and even if I do I am not sure which I should take. I have been looking for other jobs but its hard when people are asking for experience and you don't have it. There has been talk amongst the RNs that 2-3 will quit/leave. One has small kids whose husband is a truck driver and the other just had a baby. The 3 doesn't I believe want to be the only RN in the building during the day. I have done it a few times and it is not fun at all. I also have to mentioned that I dont like how they told us right before the holidays. The changes dont take effect until Feb 2018. Other than looking for a job, which I am currently doing, does anyone have an suggestion or words of wisdom. Right now my anxiety has gone up quite a bit. Sorry for the long rant, needed to vent.

[amoLucia]

To be honest, I give your Admin credit for giving y'all the bad news as early as they did. It's given you about ~6 weeks or so more time for you to start planning ahead. If they told you AFTER New Years, you'd have only 1 month to plan. Which would you prefer?

Re your co-workers - be aware that you're just hearing them TALK. I think they are in a vulnerable spot like you and are as dependent upon their positions as much as you. They're just as hurt & worried as you and they need to vent also.

With as big a shift in staffing as your facility is facing, there most likely will be a shift in some tasks also with distribution of some nsg tasks to other shifts. Freq a redistribution of med administration times occurs. Some changes in wound care times is poss. There will be adjustments made.

Are you willing to accept a change if offered? It may just bide you some time until you find another job if that's your decision.

You know, you have built up some resume experience since you've been there. You're approaching that 'magic' one year mark also. Your resume will definitely will look stronger with longer longevity. AND YOU KNOW THE PLACE!!!

Have you accrued any benefit time, like vacation or PTO, that you could lose if you leave early??? Insurance coverage? FMLA. You do have some seniority, albeit minor.

From your post, I didn't get the impression that you were terribly upset with your current position. Merely that you were anticipating some big changes coming down the road for your facility. Change is uncertain, but is a way of life. Esp in healthcare.

You go to a new place, and the same changes could happen THERE too. "Same problems, different faces" is a fav truism of mine.

My suggestion or words of wisdom is to proceed slowly.

And if they lay you off, you prob would qual for unemployment. If you quit and don't find a job right a way, you may lose that benefit.

[JKL33]

So is anything actually happening with your part-time position? You said they are changing 2 FT positions. Is your main concern that the staffing will be reduced on your shifts compared to what you're used to, or are they doing away with your position as well?

[MJ48]

To be honest, I give your Admin credit for giving y'all the bad news as early as they did. It's given you about ~6 weeks or so more time for you to start planning ahead. If they told you AFTER New Years, you'd have only 1 month to plan. Which would you prefer?

Re your co-workers - be aware that you're just hearing them TALK. I think they are in a vulnerable spot like you and are as dependent upon their positions as much as you. They're just as hurt & worried as you and they need to vent also.

With as big a shift in staffing as your facility is facing, there most likely will be a shift in some tasks also with distribution of some nsg tasks to other shifts. Freq a redistribution of med administration times occurs. Some changes in wound care times is poss. There will be adjustments made.

Are you willing to accept a change if offered? It may just bide you some time until you find another job if that's your decision.

You know, you have built up some resume experience since you've been there. You're approaching that 'magic' one year mark also. Your resume will definitely will look stronger with longer longevity. AND YOU KNOW THE PLACE!!!

Have you accrued any benefit time, like vacation or PTO, that you could lose if you leave early??? Insurance coverage? FMLA. You do have some seniority, albeit minor.

From your post, I didn't get the impression that you were terribly upset with your current position. Merely that you were anticipating some big changes coming down the road for your facility. Change is uncertain, but is a way of life. Esp in healthcare.

You go to a new place, and the same changes could happen THERE too. "Same problems, different faces" is a fav truism of mine.

My suggestion or words of wisdom is to proceed slowly.

And if they lay you off, you prob would qual for unemployment. If you quit and don't find a job right a way, you may lose that benefit.

Two of the part time positions will also be changed I believe, since the part time position follows the full time. Also layoff notices have been mailed to all the RNs. Now all the RNs at my facility will have to apply/bid for positions. So who ever has the most seniority, definitely not me, will get the position they have applied for. Other part-timers have more seniority than me so if they also apply chances are I could be out of a job. In regards to benefits, I don't get any. As a part-timer you don't get any benefits, other than vacation, at all which really sucks. I have been lucky so far that I haven't been sick but I have put off getting my yearly dental check done cause it is expensive even for a check up and who knows what the dentist might find. The ADOC did mention that the RPNs will have to pick some of the slack/changes on top of what they do ie they will have to do admissions/re-admit, doctor's day etc. What I also didn't realize is that the PSWs at are facility are/went through the same thing. Some PSWs lost/had to change positions or lines. What makes me mad is that they had tried this before and it didnt work. I not sure why they are trying it again. Apparently the ministry came in and told them that they had to have more staff on during the day. So why they are making these changes when they have been told in the past that it is not acceptable is beyond me.

[MJ48]

So is anything actually happening with your part-time position? You said they are changing 2 FT positions. Is your main concern that the staffing will be reduced on your shifts compared to what you're used to, or are they doing away with your position as well?

I believe they are doing away with my position as well, which really sucks. I now will have apply for a position when the time comes. Im not sure which position to apply for as well. Evenings where you can't do much during the day or nights where it will screw with your sleep. But at this point I will probably take what I can get until a find a new job. I know the layoff notices have been mailed out cause one of the other RNs got her's, but got it handed to her directly. Plus the ADOC had asked if they had my current address on file.

[MJ48]

So its official. I got my layoff notice today. It just confirms what I already thought would happen. Along with the two full-time positions being cut and reassigned, two part-time positions, one of them being mine, is being cut as well. I haven't heard or received notice that they will be reassigning the position as they are doing with the full-time positions. Im hoping they are, that way I have a chance to apply for them and a chance, albeit, a small chance that I might get one. As someone stated before, getting this layoff notice this early gives me time to prepare for my search for a new job. I did get an email from the locally hospital that they are having a job fair this week. Definitely making the time to attend. However, getting this right before Christmas is making me totally bummed out and not to mention stressed out as well.