News Flash! Nurses Get The Boot!

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

Well, I dont know what the situation was for your sister, but I am not surprised by this at all.

When I started reading your post I was like "oh great, I'll never find a job, I never should have gone into travel nursing."

Then I came to the fact that it was in correctional facilities. Now, that didnt surprise me.

I've never done correctional facility nursing, but had two travelers, one who was an LPN, try to talk me into it. Here is what they said:

"You really dont do much other than pass meds. The paperwork and politics that goes on in the hospital isnt there. And staffing......forget about shortages, they are staffed to the max at all times. One nurse passes meds, another does simple treatments and another does......whatever. Then you take turns and give the med person a break. Do this rotation for 12 hours and no one stays late. Bring a book with you for when your not on meds."

So, they decided to take the third, not so bussy one away. Doesnt surprise me. I know there is some truth to this because my travel company tried to get me into correctional travel nursing. When the manager of a WA facility called me for the phone interview, she was blunt about it. Said "I'll just let you know, my staff isnt used to being bussy the way people are in the hospital. They protect their jobs with a vengence. So expect some attitude when you get here. Once they realize you are not staying or coming on as staff, they'll love you, but until then, they will try to scare you off." Now, no one protects a job that has poor work conditions like that.

Even had another manager tell me she was truly only looking for someone to come on full time as staff. She said to me "Its a cake walk here, you really dont do much at all outside of passing meds. If people would get over the things they see about jails in movies and TV, these jobs would be the first people wanted."

Yeah, I'm not surprised the correctional facilities are cutting back.

Jo Dirt · Feb 15, 2009

There is a glut of nurses in this area.

And the schools keep graduating two classes a year...nursing shortage? Ha.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

Travel jobs are almost non-existent in some areas and fields. I am readng of hospital lay-offs and closings all over the net.

No occupation is recession proof.

With the big increase in the number of students many programs are taking, and so many people going into nursing because they think it's such a secure job, I expect there to be a big nursing surplus in a few years.

NeosynephRN · Feb 15, 2009

Unfortunately it does not shock me at all...I have a feeling it is happening everywhere and we are also going to have a bunch of new grads that will have a hard time finding a job...it is so costly to orient a person with no experience. I know that where I work as canceled the new grad internships as of right now and have put some strict limits on orientation.

Saifudin · Feb 15, 2009

Health care is another service industry with huge overhead costs, particularly labor and highly dependent on revenues (like what isn't), so it makes sense with 1.1 million jobs lost only Dec/Jan, I figured bed utilization would drop, especially for elective procedures. I believe it will get worse before it gets better.

Shortage or no shortage, if there isn't money coming in, nurses will be going out.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 15, 2009

Unfortunately it does not shock me at all...I have a feeling it is happening everywhere and we are also going to have a bunch of new grads that will have a hard time finding a job...it is so costly to orient a person with no experience. I know that where I work as canceled the new grad internships as of right now and have put some strict limits on orientation.

Agency nurses in my job are in a sink or swim situation...they get thrown in somewhere and it is either that they know it or that they don't. Orientation, even for staff nurses is at an all time low. There is no time or money to train, which makes it difficult to bring in new nurses. I am learning from witnessing sad things, but nursing is not recession proof.

angel337, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

nursing is still more secure than most jobs, especially for RN's. LPN's in chicago have a hard time finding jobs because hospitals don't hire them as much as before. if you want to find a nursing job here, you will find one with no problem. it may not be what you want but the jobs are there.

Saifudin · Feb 15, 2009

It seems the nursing job situation varies according to the region. It may be that we will have to be like 'journey-men/women (people-PC?) and go where the jobs are.

I work overseas and after 14 years was planning to return to the States this summer but looks like I'll be going for 15. I am grateful to be employed. I hope the same for all of you as well.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

Hospitals by me laying off staff and nurses

no agency hours at all for over 5 months

administration came to the nurses at my place and said

if you will take decreased hours we won't have to lay

anyone off yet. Hour cut by about 15% since November

Travel nurse jobs down by approx 60%

But some hospitals are hiring permanent staff, if you have experience

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

Out of work since Nov. no job in site here. Nursing shortage or not, it's the $$$ that matters to the companies. Why take on new when you can hire experience?

Neveranurseagain, RN · Feb 15, 2009

Travel jobs are almost non-existent in some areas and fields. I am readng of hospital lay-offs and closings all over the net.
No occupation is recession proof.
With the big increase in the number of students many programs are taking, and so many people going into nursing because they think it's such a secure job, I expect there to be a big nursing surplus in a few years.

Yep! Then wages will plummet and working conditions will worsen...eventually there will be a nursing shortage again...it is a vicious cycle we work in.

:angryfire