Published Oct 28, 2008
ohmeowzer RN, RN
2,306 Posts
well 3 nurses being laid off dosen't sound like much.. but i was shocked to hear the lay offs are starting to effect nursing .... i came to work on friday and found out the the hospital i work at laid off 2 staff nurses and 1 case manager...
the staff nurses we new grads and had no seniority and the case manager worked there 2 years...
i have been there almost 5 years and thats as long as the hospital has been open ... has anyone else had any layoff's at their hospital?
p.s i felt so bad for these nurses... how scary to have a job one day and no job the next....
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
This is simply a sign of the times. The US economy is crumbling as we speak, and any person who believes nursing is "recession proof" is only engaging in foolish thinking.
Xbox Live Addict
473 Posts
Here, here. I've heard people say "oh, well, people will always need health care." True, to a point...
...but I can tell you from personal experience that when your money's tight, you find out how many non-urgent medical procedures you can put off until you have the money. I spent a lot of my leaner years not going to the doctor until it was an absolute emergency, and then I went to urgent care. People are going to tighten their belts on health care just like anything else, and if the market deteriorates, then facilities are going to adjust accordingly.
racing-mom4, BSN, RN
1,446 Posts
We laid off about 10 nursing staff a few years back, not many floor nurses were involved though mainly education staff/infection control/corp health and a few CNA's. Our hospital has reduced staffing drastically the MS floor went from 3 RNs and 2 CNAs working 3rd shift to just 3 RNs and 0 CNA. Days went from 4 RNs and 4 CNAs down to 3 RN and 2 CNA for the same amount of patients.
Apparently until someone gets hurt really bad those ratios will remain.
We also cut housekeeping so now part of nursing duties is emptying trash and wiping down surfaces every night and cleaning BSC and since we cut the dietary staff that means nursing is now also delivering and picking up meal trays too.
We laid off about 10 nursing staff a few years back, not many floor nurses were involved though mainly education staff/infection control/corp health and a few CNA's. Our hospital has reduced staffing drastically the MS floor went from 3 RNs and 2 CNAs working 3rd shift to just 3 RNs and 0 CNA. Days went from 4 RNs and 4 CNAs down to 3 RN and 2 CNA for the same amount of patients.Apparently until someone gets hurt really bad those ratios will remain.We also cut housekeeping so now part of nursing duties is emptying trash and wiping down surfaces every night and cleaning BSC and since we cut the dietary staff that means nursing is now also delivering and picking up meal trays too.
and with the economy in the horrible shape it's in, nurses will just be glad they're not the ones getting laid off. It's gonna be hell to pay when the economy recovers and health-care explodes.
uscstu4lfe
467 Posts
I work for an L.A. hospital and we are still hiring like crazy. In fact, they can't find enough people to recruit. I heard this year's new grad class was 50 new RNs alone. Which area are you in?
wooh, BSN, RN
1 Article; 4,383 Posts
Mmmmm, appetizing!
I<3NICU
23 Posts
I'm a new grad from MA looking for a job since late June. Do you mind telling which hospital is recruiting new grads?
I'm in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex of TX. John Peter Smith Hospital just had a massive job fair because they need nurses in all departments. You can google their name and apply online.
There are some areas that are still strapped for nurses - my area is woefully short of nurses and it's easy pickings, and Texas is usually a good job market for nurses.
blueheaven
832 Posts
In 2001 we got 2 WEEKS notice that ALL of us were losing our jobs...460 of us. Yes ppl, it can happen 2 any of us. Doesn't matter how long you've been there. I'm just worried about the smaller community hospitals (like the one I worked at) weathering it out.
emmycRN
191 Posts
Here, here. I've heard people say "oh, well, people will always need health care." True, to a point... ...but I can tell you from personal experience that when your money's tight, you find out how many non-urgent medical procedures you can put off until you have the money. I spent a lot of my leaner years not going to the doctor until it was an absolute emergency, and then I went to urgent care. People are going to tighten their belts on health care just like anything else, and if the market deteriorates, then facilities are going to adjust accordingly.
I agree and have seen this in my community first hand. Every hospital in the area has had very low numbers for months and are having to make major cut backs including lay offs.