two months from now, our unit will undergo some management changes.

i know that sounds trivial and common, but this past week, it’s the only thing that had been buzzing over the nurses’ and everybody’s lips, (except of course the fact that O and T are obviously dating, just when we all thought T has a girlfriend in another city) but this is not a post about gossips, so let’s move on…

anyway, a little background: in our floor, there are three units. basic medicine, cardiac telemetry (CCU step down), and our unit, intermediate telemetry. at present, each unit has each own nurse manager, and an educator.

in august, the whole floor will have one nurse manager, one administrative assistant, and one educator. one big happy family, or one big headache?

as you can see, the very thing that bothers us about this whole change thing is the fact that our present nurse manager is not that interested in interviewing for the job. although most, if not all of us want her to stay, we totally understand why the prospect of managing the whole floor with about 200 employees is not that appealing to her.

since it is happening throughout most of the floors in this big hospital, the logic of this change is pretty straightforward. less people to pay, more money to save. not our own business, but we are worried sick about the nurse managers and educators who will eventually move out. where will they go?

i’m sure we will eventually embrace this change because that’s what nurses are: flexible. but what are the repercussions? to those who will be displaced, and to those of us who will be left behind.

ridiculous gas prices. cost cutting. drastic measures to cope financially. these things affect households. and now, even work. i hate to sound political, but is it wrong to actually blame president Bush for this?

i don’t know. it’s not a good thing to point a finger, but just like everybody else, i want to blame somebody. or something. somehow, the president and his relentless support and approval of the never ending war in iraq seem to be the perfect explanation. i’ll stop here, because i don’t really know what i’m talking about.

let’s just focus on what we know for sure.
okay, spill it: what has your administration done in the name of cost cutting?