What changes do you think will happen ?

[time4meRN]

One of our ER physicians was discussing that he thinks the wave of changes that will be coming as the economy goes into a downward spiral. He thinks that MA's will eventually do a nurses job, as far as "bed side" care. And RN's will be mandated or " encouraged" to go back to school to become NP's. He thinks that there will be less positions for family practice docs, nurses will doing more physician designated care through out the feild of medicine. He thinks that Pres Gahney and the likes will need to go away, the fat cats at the top will be exposed and Americans will have to get used to less law suites and a hospital that oporates more the way they used to in the 50's. You know, no big screen TV's with sports chanels in the ER lobby, no grand piano in the main lobby, no starbucks in the cafateria , well you know the story. All of this to decrease the cost of care. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It's kind of exciting, :cool:scary and :eek:weird all at the same time. I think nurses could be :yeah:wounderful at this or :confused:really bad. Thinking about the whole thing gives me a headache ! :banghead:I need a cup of coffee and tylenol. Hope all of you have a wounderful day !

[Moneypitt]

Cost cutting short term. I predict first will be the Techs, and CTAs. In one hospital I work they are being replaced by nursing assistants because "you can get two na's for the cost of one tech". Then the LPNs at the hospital level. I see that is being done at another hospital I PRN at. I don't thing that will happen at LTC. Of course I predict that will come full circle and they will once again be hired back. But that is another story.

Next- testing will be cut down. Nurses will do more blood draws. Weekends will be more on call techs for MRI's, Speech Consults, ect.

Long Term: For profit hospitals. You will see much publicity against them from hospitals who will be left to care for the uninsured and self pays. Also there will be less demand for doctors and nurses as less people seek medical help until really needed. There are more doctors then supply and demand calls for at present. At least that is what I am told during a recent discussion by a doctor friend. Also becoming a doctor will become less attractive as specialty groups are not paying off student loans to new members as they did in the past.

But only time will tell.