Recession Getting Worse

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

We had a meeting this morning about the current state of affairs at our hospital. Our administrator looked pale, bags under his eyes and seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He said that our hospital has to find a way to reduce an 18 million dollar debt. No money will be used for traveling expenses, will be a total hiring freeze, existing contracts at all levels, especially ones that are not income generating. Only purchases related to direct patient care will be honored, pending consultation contracts to be abandoned, and even the employees that are attending school to further their educations (say LPN to RN, RN to BSN) may not be able to obtain a position unless they are submitted through the Vacancy Boards...no more automatic placement. and may not even be able to complete their programs. The only positions available for promotion will be from openings based on results of termination due to disciplinary actions. In addition, recently, before this announcement, about three weeks ago, people that were offered jobs...they were told to call these poor people back and tell them that there are no positions available. I know many of them were devastated to count on this during such a bad time to have it revolked like a carpet being pulled from under them. I am sure that the agency people will disappear and the brunt of the work will be placed on us incumbant nurses.

Salary increases are frozen, we have to review how to generate funds due to decreased payment through Medicaid and health insurance. There may be layoffs, but they are desperately trying to prevent that. And then, he said "Merry Christmas". Wonderful...

I am not worried about losing my job per se...I have been there 13 years, but this is painful. I do wonder, however, if I would be bumped back to being a PCA. My seniority from the date of hire does not change...they have to retain our positions to the last position we had if it comes down to it. However, in most cases, in civil service, direct patient care (nurses in particular), are the LAST to go. But I was looking at the faces of the managers, clerks, housekeeping, dietary aides, etc...and wondering if we will all be together within the next few years. Many of the RNs that used to be LPNs are reinstating their LPN licenses in case they have to fight to remain there, or even to search for something else...this is a sad moment for the entire nation.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

The sad part is for us new grads, now its hard to find a job. Places that used to be welcoming to new grads have frozen all hiring. A lot of the places I've applied to say they will be hiring again in January. When I started school last year, there was no thought that an RN couldn't find a job easily. Now you almost have to know someone, who knows somebody. I am also wanting to get my BSN and have maxed out my student loans, so I'll need employer assistance to pay for it. If they aren't willing to help, then I won't be able to do it.

At the rate things are going, I'm wondering how fast I can lose enough weight to join the military? Though the VA always seems to be hiring also.

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it is getting really bad all around...my brother is a federal agent and was told today that he and many others will be layed off on January 3rd... it is heartbreaking, especially he is the breadwinner of a 3 and 5 yr old and a wife... :o

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Specializes in ER.

Hang in there! I can hear how difficult this is for you in the your post! Something will come through for you. Try not to worry, it won't things any.

I know as a nation we share some of the same fears and hopes. If its any comfort, I like to think of the situation as a national struggle. It makes me feel closer to every America.

I am student and I am in the same boat with a lot of other students. I keep thinking if nothing else there is the VA and the military but this is not what I sought a second degree for!

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Hang in there. This is going to hurt for awhile, for nearly everyone. Things do always improve eventually though! :)

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

The economy has been bad in Mi for a long time now. My uncle relocated to Nevada for a teaching job. He had a teaching position at the local high school and was laid off. Then he had a teaching postition at a local boys home (kinda like jail) and he decided that wasn't for him so he started looking and found nothing locally. That is when he decided to move.

My dad is laid off right now too. He has worked for the same company for the last 22 years. Never laid off before now. Last time he was laid off was before he found this job 22 yrs ago. They are a steel supplier for the auto companies.

My dh lost his job in 2006, and didn't find another until this year. He had to take a much lower paying job. But at this point a job is a job.

My friend works for a car dealer and may lose her job soon if any of the American companies go under.

My mom is a hairstylist and some weeks she makes barely any money and some weeks she dosen't have enought appointments to fit everyone in. After the frist of the year she will be busy as the owner is going to have hip surgery.

I just hope that the auto industry gets some support, or many in my area will be without jobs, including many close friends and family.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

pray !

praiser :heartbeat

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

It's time, for those who are able, to think about what local charities we can support.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

My mom is a hairstylist and some weeks she makes barely any money and some weeks she dosen't have enought appointments to fit everyone in. After the frist of the year she will be busy as the owner is going to have hip surgery.

I just hope that the auto industry gets some support, or many in my area will be without jobs, including many close friends and family.

Interesting...my beautician actually came to my house from a far neighborhood to do my hair. She was living in a co-op, but is in a nasty divorce and her husband sold the co-op right from under her and she had to move out within a week. As she was moving her things out, the new owner was moving his things in. Currently, she is staying with her daughter which is even further away. When I called her, I didn't know this and she was in the middle of moving her things out, then! She called me a few days later and told me she would come to my house to do my hair and I accepted, of course, but it really got to me because really, what she does to my hair is only $25, but I gave her $50 to try and sort of make it more worth her trip. Then, she left my house and to take the 3 buses to her daughter's home, telling me that she had three more clients to see the next day at their houses.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
It's time, for those who are able, to think about what local charities we can support.

I'm with that! I need to start investigating who is in need in this area. I think that the food charity is the best for now.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

On my electric bill you can give to a warm air fund to help needy people pay their bills. That's an easy thing to do.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.
Interesting...my beautician actually came to my house from a far neighborhood to do my hair. She was living in a co-op, but is in a nasty divorce and her husband sold the co-op right from under her and she had to move out within a week. As she was moving her things out, the new owner was moving his things in. Currently, she is staying with her daughter which is even further away. When I called her, I didn't know this and she was in the middle of moving her things out, then! She called me a few days later and told me she would come to my house to do my hair and I accepted, of course, but it really got to me because really, what she does to my hair is only $25, but I gave her $50 to try and sort of make it more worth her trip. Then, she left my house and to take the 3 buses to her daughter's home, telling me that she had three more clients to see the next day at their houses.

Wow that is insane. I can't believe he sold the co-op right out from under her like that. sheesh.

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