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Surviving Workforce Reorganization

Featured Author:

Laura Wisniewski, RN

Laura Wisniewski RN is an educator, speaker and writer with 25 years of front line nursing experience. Her company, Nursing Voice Communications, provides empowering, solution-oriented presentations on nursing workforce issues. Her articles encourage and challenge nurses to improve healthcare.

See all of Laura’s featured articles here.

To learn more about Laura, please visit her website.

More articles from this author:

• How to Score in Your Nursing Career
• All Nurses Are Leaders
• Nursing as a Second Career

Over the past several months there have been murmurs of budget problems at your facility. You are not overly concerned, having survived hard times in the past. The department director has requested a meeting with you for this afternoon. Upon entering the conference room, you are greeted by your director and the manager of human resources. There is a stack of papers on the table, including a file with your name on it. Your gut tells you, “This can’t be good!”

There is a sudden chill in the room as you are informed, “Due to budget cuts your position has been eliminated.” It doesn’t matter whether it’s referred to as reorganization, restructuring, managed redundancy, position elimination or a staffing cut; it’s time for you to find a new job.

How is this possible in the midst of such a severe nursing shortage? This phenomenon is occurring at an alarming rate and in a variety of practice settings. In the wake of managed care and reimbursement issues, hospitals and healthcare agencies everywhere are fighting for their survival. The nursing shortage itself is one of the primary factors contributing to escalating healthcare costs. Undesirable working conditions and staff dissatisfaction have lead to unprecedented turnover rates. The cost to the organization of recruiting and training a nurse is twice their annual salary.

Non-bedside support positions are most often affected; however, no one is immune. Entire units and facilities have closed as a result of financial difficulties. After rising through the ranks into the role of manager, educator or advisor; those most loyal to the organization are finding their positions eliminated. At a time in healthcare when this specialized knowledge is most needed, it is lost to the organization.

Directly affected by a workforce reduction are nursing leadership, the individual and those left behind. The following are survival tips for each, as well as a warning to all nurses.

Nursing leadership

The decision to decrease staff is one of the most difficult you will ever have to make. The team will closely observe and evaluate your performance dealing with this test of leadership ability. Your actions will greatly impact staff morale.

Deliver the bad news with compassion and resist the temptation to distance yourself. Avoid using the statement; “this is not personal” as a defense. It feels very personal to the employee.

Thank the individual for their service to the organization. Offer to write a letter of recommendation and advice on next steps. Your employee may be overwhelmed and in need of assistance.

Throughout the transition maintain a high level of visibility within your department. Listen to staff concerns and encourage input on redistribution of the workload. Your guidance will help establish priorities as your team moves forward.