the state of nursing-jobs

[annab]

I work and live in SW Florida, where we, like much of the country, are being hit hard by the economic downturn. The Hospital I work for recently became the monopoly employer in our county and there are not many other options for acute care employment.

The problem, my employer is experiencing tremendous loses due to the economic troubles of the time. They are attempting to cut costs wherever possible in order to save the system. Nurses hours are being cut. Overtime is outlawed, travelers are gone. Many nurses are being e-conned and if they don't have pto to cover, then they just don't get paid. Administrators are encouraging nursing staff to take contracts for the summer and come back next year when , maybe, things are getting better. There is complete hiring freeze. Lay-offs cant be far away.

So much for the nursing shortage, huh? All the sudden nursing doesn't seem like a stable career choice at all.

Please, someone tell me that this is not the situation around the country. So, if lay-offs do happen I can move somewhere else to get a job (even though I wouldn't ever be able to sell my house here in the horrible market and would have to settle for foreclosure.)

Are people hiring where you are? Does nursing seem like a stable career choice in your neck of the woods?

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

anyone who has attempted to find permanent work in the san francisco bay area can attest to the lack of openings. very difficult to get work there.

same here in delaware. we have several nursing schools nearby, not too many hospitals, and pay better than md, pa & nj, so nurses from there come to work as well!

jess

[annab]

Toq, Ahh, yes you are familiar with the specifics. In addition to the ceo's bonus did you read his performance eval that was also published in the news-press? It was the most unprofessional, insider, b*tt-licking I have ever read. The Monopoly is a big problem, the purchase and building of the new hospitals and loaning the county millions of dollars to build the road going to the hospital are infuriating when the "senior leadership" is encouraging staff to take off the summer or "even the year." Do you currently work for the system? Have you been to any of the "town meetings" they are pretty scary. I think the system is in need of a Union scare or a news investigation. But, the bottem line is right now with them being the only player in town and no one able to sell their house they are really able to call the shots. Its intersting how the magnet campaign went out the door. They must know that staff would never recomend the system for magnet so why bother at this time.