Sad and angry about what I overheard BUT NOT SUPRISED.

Published

I took me mom out for her birthday to a fairly nice resturant for lunch. Sitting behind us were a fairly well dressed man and woman about my age. I overheard a conversation that I didn't expect to hear in a public place. The man said to the woman, "People have to get used to the idea that healthcare is a business. One of the techniques that businesses use to cut cost is to jetison long time workers with high salaries. Some people think that is inhuman but it is a perfectly acceptable business practice, the business of business is to make money." She said "surely you don't mean my facility?" He said, "yes I mean your facility!" She protested that they had high turnover as it was. He said "yes that is a good thing about nursing homes and hospitals, they experience a fairly rapid turnover and it keeps wages down. However, there is always the odd employee that stays on for years and they are the ones you have to target." At that point I made a gagging noise and said to my mom, "come on mom, I have lost my appetite". Now this happened last Thursday and I didn't post it until today because I have been wondering if people would believe me. First of all, I know these conversation take place but I assumed they took place behind closed doors. Second of all, what is the chance of a person as radical as I am overhearing something like this, I could hardly believe it myself. A 100 nasty remarks came into my mind but I said nothing because it would have made a seen and they would have probably called the cops. I swear I heard this conversation and I tried to repeat it here word for word, they did not name any names.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Their business ethic is disgusting.

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My friend and I were downsized out of our nursing jobs many years ago and I am convinced that we were let go in order to bring in employees at lower rates of pay by the company that bought out our facility. I had occasion to call the facility during my former shift and the phone was answered by someone who couldn't make herself be undertstood. I think I know that if she were asked what her salary was, that it would have been considerably lower than mine had been. The results of the "downsizing" were reduction of the workforce by one third. The company saved money two ways, getting rid of X number of employees at X rate of pay. New hires weren't getting our pay, I'm certain of that. And I'm certain that a conversation or two of the type described took place while they planned to skin our facility of a correctly numbered workforce.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

What they said may disgust you but it is 100% true. Nursing is typically a profession that is compassion driven vs financial driven. Mgmt knows this, they know Nurses will sacrafice of them selves for what they think is the benefit of the pt ~~in reality the benefit of the facility.

Just like any other job that you collect a pay check on, if you want to make more money that means you need to transfere to a new facility every few years. As your 1st 6month raise is generally pretty decent, but after that what is your yearly raise maybe a dollar? Maybe 0.50? But if you give your proper two week notice and take a brand spanking new job you would only take it for a couple more bucks an hour, then get your 1st 6month raise-then get your measley yearlys, then leave again etc etc etc. Now eventually you will cap out, but if you want to get the biggest gain you need to leave.

Dedication and comitment for 1 company does not pay.

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this is something that goes on all the time

the problem with nursing is that the ptb believe that nurses are as inchangeable as cogs and that one nurse can do the job of any other nurse

we had a cna who had been at same facility for 20+ years and was at the not of her pay which was by that time equal for what that floor could hire a new rn grad...the head nurse tried everything she could to get her to quit and tried to find a reason to terminate her-

this is where unions who have your back are really useful

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Despicable as it is the sad fact is that it's true and happens all the time. Doesn't make it any less heartbreaking to hear or read about.

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This is why I have no loyalty to any company whatsoever. My loyalty is to my pts, my good co-workers and to myself. I don't give a crap about any corporation. Actually, I despise them.

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This is why America needs to take the profit out of healthcare!

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This is why I have no loyalty to any company whatsoever. My loyalty is to my pts, my good co-workers and to myself. I don't give a crap about any corporation. Actually, I despise them.

I have the same attitude now. I love where I work but I know they would drop me like a hot potato tomorrow if it suited their needs so I am sure to look out for myself first and foremost as well.

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This is why America needs to take the profit out of healthcare!

I couldn't agree more. I would love to become more involved in making this happen but I know it never will. The fact they pleasing stockholders comes before helping patients is unconscienable. I don't know how some people sleep at night.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

We are not alone, teachers are the same way. It is cheaper to hire two brand new grads for the same salary as a ten year teacher. Only difference in teaching is UNIONS. So unless there is really poor poor uncorectible performance by a teacher they will keep thier job.

Not all states/facilities have nursing unions, ours does not.

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What they said may disgust you but it is 100% true. Nursing is typically a profession that is compassion driven vs financial driven. Mgmt knows this, they know Nurses will sacrafice of them selves for what they think is the benefit of the pt ~~in reality the benefit of the facility.

Just like any other job that you collect a pay check on, if you want to make more money that means you need to transfere to a new facility every few years. As your 1st 6month raise is generally pretty decent, but after that what is your yearly raise maybe a dollar? Maybe 0.50? But if you give your proper two week notice and take a brand spanking new job you would only take it for a couple more bucks an hour, then get your 1st 6month raise-then get your measley yearlys, then leave again etc etc etc. Now eventually you will cap out, but if you want to get the biggest gain you need to leave.

Dedication and comitment for 1 company does not pay.

This concept only recently occurred to me. Unfortunately, most of the available employers in my new area pay the same. Finding one that offers more is not that easy. A little effort though, is better than getting the same wage after 8 years working for the same company.

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