Thursday, February 5, 2009

I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet


Is it possible that I'll become a victim of the next round of layoffs in my health system?  I'm trying really hard to keep my calm in respect to the news that my system is looking for a way to shave $100,000,000 from its operating budget.  I thought I was bullet proof, but clearly, I'm misguided.

Do I keep my calm, waiting to see how the dust settles?  Or should I start looking now?  I'm torn.  I don't want to be caught in a flood of hospice nurses looking for work a month from now...

21 comments:

sandy said...

Well, I would probably start keeping my eye out for new openings. Somehow, I don't know why, I get the feeling you'll be safe from the layoffs. Maybe because you're so damn funny! Who would want to lose you...

owiatw said...

Best to keep all options open; it never hurts to see whats out there...Try Michigan Works or Careerbuilder. You can look at these and see the multitude of jobs in the Health care field....

Or will this be reason number 2,000,000 to look out of State?

Brenda said...

Well, I have heard that people are flooding the nursing field because they felt it was a safe place to stay employed. My son-in-law, a pilot, has considered it and I know of two or more of my daughters friends that are trying for a degree in nursing. I think you excel in the field, so I wouldn't worry it will be you. I agree with Sandy, they would never want to lose you!

Rudee said...

I'm not worried about a job in nursing. I'm worried about the type of nursing job that doesn't require heavy lifting, 12 hour shifts, etc. This job has been a Godsend for my back problems. Then there is a question about staying within the system. I need to keep my seniority, vacation time and that sort of thing. At 52, I don't want to start somewhere for scratch. I also don't want to compete with nurses who are newer and therefore paid less. Guess who an employer will hire?

I have a knot the size of Rhode Island under my left shoulder blade. It hurts...

owiatw-I plan to learn from you. It may be reason 2,000,000 after all and comes right after brutal winters.

Unknown said...

I am no expert on how the "suits" think, but I would suspect that home hospice is a more cost-effective way to care for folks than in-house. Along with that, I'm reading that the rules are also loosening up for what Medicare/Medicaid will pay to provide in home care also--translation--what now would require skilled nursing care can now go home and get home services. Having said that, I think you should keep your eyes and ears open. The economic pundits are saying to have a Plan A AND a Plan B. Have you thought about teaching at all?? There seem to be openings for Clinical Instructors in order to accommodate the increase in nursing students. That may have some legs to it. These kids ARE NOT staying at the bedside. They barely get a year in and are back to school--anesthesia, or everybody wants to be a Nurse Practioner. Don't know where they're all going to work. Ohio is not all that advanced nurse friendly. Big MD lobby here. Any of the hospitals have a Palliative Care team?? I'll keep my ears open and if I see any of the Hospice RN's tomorrow I'll pick their brains.

willowtree said...

It's not an 'either or' it's a 'both', keep calm, and look around for something else.

Anonymous said...

In our area nurses are being let go but these are mainly supervisors/managers. The problem with looking around for other options is that who knows how secure the new job will be? Here, there are hiring freezes in many places with the exception of the corrections system which always seems to have openings. There is funding available if you decide to go back to school in order to teach in a nursing school. A full-time faculty job is a great job but you will need at least a master's degree. Nursing schools prefer nurse pratitioners or doctoral degrees, but if you're working on getting a degree you would probably be considered. Many schools are adding clinical instructors but those jobs pay very poorly since they are mainly part-time. Good luck, and I hope all will be well with the job you have. I'd hate to see all the work you've invested in mastering that paperwork go to waste!

Unknown said...

PS. Remember of what stuff you are made...YOU ARE CHESS:>)

Rositta said...

Keep eyes and ears open just in case, this is horrible news. I would have thought your profession was pretty recession proof. Maybe teaching is an option for you? Chin up, have a glass of wine...ciao

Ruth said...

Rudee I feel so sad for you - and all the nurses in the US with such as unstable environment as you currently have - it makes me sad for the patinets - what will happen to them who will care for them if they lay off all the nurses. I will contine to remind my colleagues how lucky we are at the moment we ares still hiring nurses and only have to amke a 3% cut across all public service nurses definatley won't be cut - I don't think the government could survive if that happened. Most nurses are employed in Public Hospitals that are government funded. The system is struggling at the moment from too many patients - not enough nurses.
My thoughts are with all my fellow nurese in the US and if you were next to me I'd treat you to shoulder massage.
Ruth

Rudee said...

Well, I still have a knot the size of Rhode Island in my back, but I got a treatment for it this afternoon. I'm not going to panic. I'm not going back to school so I can teach. I'd go back to ICU first.

Hospice is not a profitable venture, but we do provide value to our dying patients. It doesn't make sense they cut this, but I'm no suit.

Rositta-Southeast Michigan relies heavily on patients insured through the Big 3 automakers-or companies around because of the Big 3. As they fail, so do we for lack of reimbursements. It's a terrible economic tsunami.

owiatw said...

How True Rudeek. The country is quickly finding out that how Michigan go the rest of the country follows...It takes time 6 month or a year but it happens. It happened in 81 and its happening again today!!!

I will be happy to provide whatever
you need.....Do you need water?

Anonymous said...

I think Hospice would be crazy to loose you! You are such an amazing nurse. Despite the budget crap, Hospice Services will always be in high demand. It is a crucial service to the patient and to the family. I honestly think your safe and I wouldn't worry about it, unless your boss told you to. Too many other things to worry about. Just keep doing what your doing, providing the best care possible.
XXXXXX

Rudee said...

Cheryl, all of hospice is unprofitable. Other agencies could provide the same services and my health system wouldn't have the overhead.

Jane said...

Rudee - glad you got some care for your back. Now I would a) stay calm, b) prepare your resume c) keep your eyes and ears open in your field. It's not what you know but who you know remember.

Over here it's the admin staff who are being let go first in the health sector. Teaching might be a good second option. They are desperate. Less pay, but less lifting too.

the rotten correspondent said...

It just about kills me to agree with WT, but I do. Stay calm, but keep your eyes open.I think it would be a really bad business decision to cut from hospice first, but I'm too aware that oftentimes the suits don't make the right decision.

Now that said, there are areas of nursing that are between hospice and ICU. You don't have to destroy your back to make a living. The seniority thing is pretty big though, but I am holding every positive thought I can that you'll slide through this.

We had our monthly staff meeting last week and the official word is that our hospital is not planning on laying off anyone. They are, however, not going to be filling all job openings. I think any pinhead who cuts nurses from our department in a money saving gesture is going to lose every penny they "saved" in the first big lawsuit over patient safety.

At least that's what I keep telling myself.

Lisa L said...

Its always unsettling when you hear rumors of an upcoming 'slash and burn'...last time this happenned I knew I couldn't let myself worry yet again. I just sorta hung in there..and retained my job...this time. Who knows next time? Then I will be stuffed if I lose my job because work on this little island is damn hard to get!

Unknown said...

Friday night: didn't see any hospice RN's, but had some thoughts for you to try on. 1.Case manager--hospital's hiring them because they make sure pt's get reimbursed for their care. 2. Life Center(organ donation) We have someone who is hired by the hospital and acts as liason/coordinator with life center. That's it, brain's fried.

Rudee said...

Distracted, though we do have case managers in our system, plenty of them have had their jobs eliminated. As an old transplant nurse, I've played with the idea of applying to Gift of Life once or twice. It's an idea. It's not a far fetch to go from hospice to organ procurement, is it?

Betty F said...

I'd start looking at what's available. I'm sorry you're worried. I would have thought medical was safe. ... No lay offs. I'm wrong about that I guess. I'm thinking about you

Betty F said...

I just read what owiatw said.. AZ is always looking for nurses I hear.