Changes

Sorry for the brief hiatus. My world has been in a topspin of late and everything is off-kilter.

2 weeks ago today, a vicious rumor came out at work that lay-offs were coming. Mandatory staff meetings were already scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, where my boss completely blind-sided (despite the rumors) the entire staff with a complete re-bid for our positions as RNs in my unit. Oh, and they are taking away 8-hour shifts. Which doesn't bother me, but we have a lot of nurses who prefer 8's and some who can't work 12-hour shifts due to medical reasons.

This re-bid has spun out of control and a black cloud has settled over my workplace. Which, despite being NICU, is usually a happy place. And it is bringing out the best and the worst in people. Many nurses are banding together, and trying to have good attitudes, the doctors are bringing treats to us, etc; but others are so upset that they are acting like 3rd graders: only wearing black scrubs, wearing witch hats into work, dropping by my boss's office just to let her know how they feel, inappropriately.

My husband pretty much had to talk me into going to work all week long because I was having a really hard time handling all of the negativity. I am generally a happy person, but negativity effects me greatly and really drags me down.

Things are a bit better now, the shock has worn off, and management has heard our concerns and has agreed to compromise on a few things.

The process: A full re-bid essentially entails that a seniority roster and list of available positions is given to everyone. Management is offering fewer positions than we currently have people on the roster. The positions are nearly all 12-hour shifts, and the number of hours per week being offered may cause some financial strains for many of our staff, myself included. All part-time positions (anything less than 60% of full time) are being eliminated.

So, number 1 on the roster chooses her position, gets it, and it goes on to number 2, and so on and so forth until all positions are filled. Some people are choosing to leave, this will result in fewer lay-offs. I am safe from being laid-off based upon seniority alone, but I am pretty far down the list, so the positions that are left and available to me may not be enough hours or might be a terrible schedule.

I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE A JOB. Hear me on this. I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE A JOB.

I just had a higher sense of security because healthcare is generally a safe field to be in, especially as a nurse.

My heart goes out to my co-workers who will not have a job at the end of this, and to those who this change is putting a huge strain on their families.