Thoughts on recent mass lay-offs?

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

Anyone have any thoughts on the recent mass layoffs going on in the Indianapolis hospitals?

First it was ****** with 850+ employees. They tried to make up for it by saying it was middle management that was mostly fired and that they were offered jobs elsewhere in the network... other stories are of people being escorted within minutes of being notified.

Now we have $$$$$$ , just a few months later. They declared on Thursday (9/12) that they too will be laying off 800+ people.

Both networks report decrease in patient admissions. $$$$$$$ got rid of their shift differential. I'm finding it difficult to make the ******* nurses talk; they're all clammed up tight. Both are also Magnet status. Do you think most of this has to primarily do with the ACA? I seem to hear a lot about that, but sadly, I'm ignorant on to what is going to cause such a cut in employment.

With so many more people becoming insured wouldn't it make sense that hospitals are going to see more people? Does this mean, the non nursing positions they let go are going to turn into nursing positions? Do you think, in order to save more money, they'll start making a wage difference in ADNs and BSNs in order to save more money? Will weekend options definitely stay a thing of the past? What about LPNs, nurses that can do so many of the same tasks as an RN but get paid half the money, would they ever come back (ok, now that one is a stretch- lol)?

What about cutting out some of the nurses and hiring CMAs or QMAs to pass PO meds in the hospital while the RNs deal more with the assessments? Imagine if every tech was a QMA/CMA also? Actually, why don't hospitals use QMA's/CMA's?

What are some opinions out there?

I will say that I was very surprised to hear about ********, but it didn't seem like it was many nurses that got fired- (not that it makes the lay offs any less sorrowful). Then when $$$$$$$$$ announced the lay offs I was not at all surprised. I figured with the elimination of the evening shift diff and a rumored hiring freeze, the lay offs were bound to occur.

I suppose, in these times we can only wish the best for the employees who will suffer and give our support to the patients. Perhaps, as a favor to these hospitals in need, we could make attempts to share some of our personal times and volunteer to read to patients, talk with them, and keep them company should nursing suffer any hits.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I'm not surprised at all. The ACA is the current scapegoat is all. One of the organizations, in my opinion, expanded WAY too much too soon. They are all over the state now joining with so many hospitals and outpatient groups. Nursing will get hit of course. Since many of these locations have magnet status they will not have LPNs or even ADNs. What those employees need is a solid union. I wish them the best of luck.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

To me it seemed liked all of the Indianapolis hospitals were trying to outdo each other. Spending massive amounts of money to redo the cosmetics of their hospitals. Especially in the birthing suites. I'm up in the Anderson area and I thought it was crazy what they were doing. Kind of like what Delco Remy did up here before their demise. Spent a bunch of money and built new buildings then went under and now we have all of these empty buildings up here. I'll be surprised to see which ones come out on top.

[Kidrn911]

I wonder how many jobs would have been saved if they didn't waste money on Magnet.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I wonder how many jobs would have been saved if they didn't waste money on Magnet.

Good point.

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

I wonder how many jobs would have been saved if they didn't waste money on Magnet.

I seem to relate magnet status with the opposite of its intended effect: depolarizes nurses, cut costs, cut raises, cut bonuses, cut hours, cut jobs, cut nurse : pt ratios.... Perhaps this is only in my head.

I often tell myself, "I want nothing to do with a facility like that." Then someone asked me, "If you don't associate with those facilities, how will you ever encourage change?" That got me thinking very hard. It is still something I'm mulling over even after 4 months of thought.

I once said, "I refuse to be part of the ANA. I will not recognize an organization that does not recognize LPNs as members." Now, I'm determined to join the ANA, learn more, and try to bring about change.

Hmmm

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I seem to relate magnet status with the opposite of its intended effect: depolarizes nurses, cut costs, cut raises, cut bonuses, cut hours, cut jobs, cut nurse : pt ratios.... Perhaps this is only in my head.

I often tell myself, "I want nothing to do with a facility like that." Then someone asked me, "If you don't associate with those facilities, how will you ever encourage change?" That got me thinking very hard. It is still something I'm mulling over even after 4 months of thought.

I once said, "I refuse to be part of the ANA. I will not recognize an organization that does not recognize LPNs as members." Now, I'm determined to join the ANA, learn more, and try to bring about change.

Hmmm

I never understood why they don't include LPNs in the ANA.

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

I never understood why they don't include LPNs in the ANA.

The dept of labor also doesn't consider an ASN to be a professional nurse, but rather classifies them as a technical nurse.

So as an LPN I am practically a nurse

So as an ASN I am technically a nurse

So as a BSN I am professionally a nurse!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

The dept of labor also doesn't consider an ASN to be a professional nurse, but rather classifies them as a technical nurse.

So as an LPN I am practically a nurse

So as an ASN I am technically a nurse

So as a BSN I am professionally a nurse!

That is ridiculous!