The Economy and your job as a nurse

winterallsummer · Feb 2, 2009

Subscribed.

Here in Dallas they are still posting hirings on various websites.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 2, 2009

So sorry you are having to cope with this horrible situation. In my part of the country, we haven't been as hard hit as some other areas, but we aren't escaping. Hospital volumes are down, so fewer staff are needed. However, in my organization the non-clinical departments are also being required to 'flex' according to census and cut hours to meet specific targets. I think this is a real improvement over the old days - when nurses were sent home due to low volumes, but all the non-clinical workers weren't affected at all.

Health care is a business that is more complex than any other - but it is still a business. When profits disappear, expenses have to be cut to keep the organization afloat. Nurse salaries are frequently the largest target and always used to be the first place to cut... but this always sets off a 'descending spiral' of quality. Once a hospital's reputation is damaged, it's really hard to bounce back.

My feeling? -- I think we may be just entering the slump - and it's going to get worse before it starts to improve. Clinical areas associated with 'elective' procedures such as ortho and surgery are going to feel it the worst. EDs and ICUs will still be hopping, along with MedSurg units filled with people who waited until the very last minute to see a Dr because they don't have the money/insurance. I hope that a sufficient number of experienced nurses such as yourself can hang in there until things start to improve.

IsseyM · Feb 2, 2009

Same here. I work in the OR and they have been sending Full Time staff home early or making them stay home. There are hardly any surgeries goin on. I was thinking about training in the ED because they are always busy.

NeosynephRN · Feb 2, 2009

Well as of right now...they have completely cut overtime, so I have gone from easily getting 4-5 days a week, to 3 only, no exceptions. And they have gotten rid of our PCA's. I am thankful everyday I still have a job when so many do not. But I will have to try to find another source of income...this will not cut it!

Suri08 · Feb 2, 2009

I noticed at the hospitals in our area have put a hiring freeze for certain positions. The new graduate programs were cut and only people that were currently working for the hospitals kept their positions and a spot to be hired as an RN. They are still hiring experianced nurses but it is starting to become difficult for those just starting in the profession. :crying2:

Melinurse · Feb 2, 2009

Nursing positions at one local hospital are being cut. Those who are close to retirement are being " asked " to take early retirement. They also laid off depending on who I've talked to between 25-50% of the office staff.

dorimar, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2009

I am curious in what part of the country are you? Here in Phoenix,AZ we are having issues as well. My ICU census has not dropped but the nursing market seems suddenly saturated. AZ had one of the worst nursing shortages in the nation and now many nurses can't get work. My ICU is 32 beds and we always used registry and pool. Now the schedule routinely has 14-16 staff nurses scheduled. I feel bad for the new grads as they cannot get work. Some clinical RN positions have been laid off. our raises have been capped at 2% and all overtime incentive has been stopped. Tuition reimbursement was also stopped.

hellerd2003, RN · Feb 3, 2009

My unit just received approved funding for a total of 4 more RN positions. But I work in ICU, so when someone is REALLY sick, they have to have ICU-level care. I have heard of staff cuts in clinics, and in areas of the hospital that see more elective procedures (i.e., ortho, surgical, etc.). People can't afford to take the time off of work; and when people are laid off, they lose insurance. Like some have said, I believe that the situation will get worse before it gets better. I feel sorry for new RN's (or for that matter, any college grad) entering the workforce. If nursing, which has been considered "recession-proof" is having these struggles, how much worse must it be in other sectors????

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

I can remember as recently as six months ago being called every time I was not scheduled to come and work. How I avoided the phone. Now it doesn't happen at all.

I personally know three friends at work whose husbands have lost jobs, so I believe they are pushing for extra shifts. I never did push for extra shifts but ended up working almost three extra in a month and the money did come in handy.

I'm getting tired of newspaper articles and TV news telling people that healthcare is where the jobs are. I think our job market will be flooded in a year or two.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

I think things will get worse before they get better. Hold on to your jobs

Cindy-san · Feb 3, 2009

NYer from a big hosp here.

My place supposedly has a hiring freeze going on. But they still employ travelers, and I'm sure they'll continue to do so. My unit is almost always painfully understaffed. Everyone puts in lots of OT and they're rarely cancelled. The PD-ers are never cancelled, they're cheaper than the OTs.

Man, I can't type tonight!