Low Census??

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Just wondering if everyone across the board is suffering from "low census?" We dropped in the summer which is typical, but it has not picked up one bit......2-3 nurses being called off daily. Wondering if it's economy related???

I feel like I need to look for a new job, but I'm afraid it's everywhere...

Any thoughts/comments are appreciated.

Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I live just outside Seattle. In the summer we had some low census days but most people are fine with it and volunteer to take time off because the weather is so beautiful here that time of year. No big deal, at least at the hospital where I work.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

It may be possible that in some areas the economy is adversely affecting the census. If folks have lost their insurance or their jobs they will not be using medical services unless urgent.

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I'm at a small private hospital in Northern California on a med-surg and nurses have been called off left and right because of the low census. People are definitely nervous and I feel bad for the new grads because the situation isn't getting better at all.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

I got called off this AM. First time for me in months, but some of my coworkers are continuously being called off. We have stayed busy all year until just recently. I'm just waiting to see what happens with healthcare reform. I think it may get much worse....

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Specializes in SICU, CCU, MCU, peds, physician's office.

I live in Southern Alabama and I have only worked 30 hours in the last 2 weeks. I luckily have a little holiday pay coming, but I am still nervous about how bad this check is gonna look!

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lucky you for those of you that are getting to work.. My unit (neonatal ICU) has been slow the past year, with the last 6 months the worst... The hospital is trying to find creative ways to keep us on staff, but for how long I dont' know.. We are calling off at least 2-3 nurse's a shift....

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Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

I was working 36-48 hours a week till Mid June. Balt/DC Metro area. July I worked 62 hours for the MONTH. August I went to Utah for 4 weeks, worked more than 40 hours a week in Salt Lake City. Came home Sept was slow, started picking up end of Sept and Oct. Finally after 14 months I landed a PERMANENT PT Benefited position with opportunity to work additional shifts starting Dec 1st. It is the economy, and poor planning on administration not hiring and orieniting new grads in lean summer times, now they are working short constantly.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

No, it's not that way here.

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Specializes in ER.

Want some hours? You can come work in my crazy, overflowing hospital. We have had no beds for weeks on end!

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Cancel, cancel, cancel.

Went to a beach resort area around Labor Day, it was like a ghost town.

I think people are not heading south for vacations due to the economy.

Wonder if the snow birds will all stay home as well, due to the economy?

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It has been super busy here in central California. We are bulging at the seams!

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VA Manhattan has been busy too! Slow in summer but busy in the winter.

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