Job not secure?

[Tibibosh]

I work at an ambulatory surgery center and our case load has fluctuated up and down, especially since the downturn of the economy. But, lately the company that owns us seems to be clamping down hard on employee hours and all of us have suffered decreased hours and it's eating into our PTO and bottom line of our pay. I work 64 hours/2 wk pay period and my last one was for 51.5 hrs. It's really putting a damper on morale to say the least. There have been some staffing changes made my management (demotions of managers/supervisors down to staff level).

We have a good group of employees in every area that enjoy working together and do a good job but many of us are preparing ourselves that we may have to look for new jobs. Has anyone been going through this? It's such an uneasy feeling wondering if the center could close or have jobs lost. My husband was laid of twice in two years so we've already been a part of job loss recently but if I have to look for a new position, I will. Are others experiencing the same thing?

[Gona_bea_nurse]

Lots of hospitals on hirings freezes. Hope it picks up before I graduate.

[reesern1963]

I work at an ambulatory surgery center and our case load has fluctuated up and down, especially since the downturn of the economy. But, lately the company that owns us seems to be clamping down hard on employee hours and all of us have suffered decreased hours and it's eating into our PTO and bottom line of our pay. I work 64 hours/2 wk pay period and my last one was for 51.5 hrs. It's really putting a damper on morale to say the least. There have been some staffing changes made my management (demotions of managers/supervisors down to staff level).

We have a good group of employees in every area that enjoy working together and do a good job but many of us are preparing ourselves that we may have to look for new jobs. Has anyone been going through this? It's such an uneasy feeling wondering if the center could close or have jobs lost. My husband was laid of twice in two years so we've already been a part of job loss recently but if I have to look for a new position, I will. Are others experiencing the same thing?

I can relate to what you're saying as I used to work in that sort of setting. Ultimately I left to work in another area where the hours were more stable (outpt. onco.). It was too frustrating to have my hours depend on the surgeons' vacations/whims or cancellations.

[Edson!]

No one's job is secure, and there is no such thing as a secure "kind" of job. The best thing a person can do is to keep their resume and skills up and explore various options in order to stay as employable as possible. And this is one reason why many nurses always keep a pool job on the side.

[maire]

Have been out of work since beginning of December in a field where, at one time, could work as much overtime as I cared to. When they start cutting your hours best to start looking for something on the side. Then you won't be caught completely off guard when your hours are reduced to zero.