The myth of "recession proof" Health Care Industry careers: a word to the wise.

[dgibby]

As a retired RN with thirty-five years experience in the Health Care Industry, I find it disturbing that the media continues to tout careers in health care as almost "recession proof". Of course, statistics support that view, but, as we are all aware, statistics are easily manipulated.

In order to maintain the illusion, hospitals (my area of expertise) employ many draconian measures in order to maintain the status quo. Most, if not all, of these measures involve staffing manipulation, which has a direct impact on the quality of patient care, to say nothing of staff satisfaction.

For instance, one of the first areas impacted by a tightening economy is that of staff to patient ratio. Nurses are required to increase their patient load. While there are guidelines that should regulate this practice based on the patients' acuity levels, these guidelines are often ignored in favor of cost cutting. This is detrimental to quality and quantity of care provided, and demoralizing and frustrating to the staff.

Other measures include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Mandatory on call for staff.
B. Prohibition of overtime.
C. Hiring freezes.
D. Outsourcing of services (ie, X-rays being read by radiologists overseas).
E. Shortened hospital stay for patients.
F. Layoffs (especially for ancillary personnel).
G. Budget cuts that affect equipment procurement, salaries, etc.

This is, I feel certain, only the tip of the iceberg, so for those looking to retrain for careers in health care, please be aware that, although there are jobs still available, this industry (contrary to popular opinion) is NOT recession proof, so do your homework and enter at your own risk!

[bemildred]

1. The health-care bubble is going to pop too.

Bet on it.

[Donnachaidh]

3. oh yeah - big time

The county offices for emergency mental health aid are backed up by a month or better, because folks who have lost their jobs and benefits are seeking help at the only place they can.

Check your local craigslist -- it looks like collection agencies can't get enough people.

[county worker]

7. What county is that?

[Donnachaidh]

8. in Georgia n/t

[drm604]

2. My mother was recently in the hospital.

She has difficult veins for blood samples. While she was there, they stopped having phlebotomists available during the night shift. The RNs, most of whom aren't as good at taking samples, had to do it instead.

[notadmblnd]

4. As people lose jobs, they lose their heath insurance

they stop going to places like the Dentist and Doctor. Profits for the health care industry will eventually suffer too.

[trashcanistanista]

5. You can add H1B visas to that, union busting, and

an increase in per diem or non-benefit positions to replace benefit positions.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. They said that the legal profession was recession-proof too.

That was a line of bull. I tried to get a job as a legal assistant. I have a J.D. in law, and 20 years' experience as a court reporter (associates' degree), taking down trials and typing them up. Before that I was a legal secretary. I can type up a valid will or a divorce petition, or a warranty deed, without even thinking. I've watched trials from J.P. court to Federal Court, civil criminal, family, juvie, bankruptcy, magistrate court, etc. yada yada.

I don't know anybody else that has applied for a job as a paralegal that has the degrees I do.
Oh did I mention that I have a B.A. in biology? And I took Latin in high school? I can spell all those medical words in expert testimony in malpractice cases, and medical examiners' reports.


I looked for a job for two and a half years in a very large metropolitan area and got ONE interview.
ONE, and they weren't even nice enough to call me back and tell me I didn't get the job......

:banghead:

They don't care how smart I am. All that education was a complete waste as far as getting a job.

[bemildred]

9. I have heard that legal work is now getting outsourced overseas.

Having been in IT myself, I can sympathize.

[dgibby]

10. Thanks for all of your replies.

I've never asked for recommendations, but I'd really like to get this seen by as many DUer's as possible.
Many people are having to make career choices now and/or retrain for another career, and I'd like for them to have as much info as possible before jumping into health care.
It's not for everyone, and it certainly isn't the only answer to the country's unemployment woes. I think the media is giving the wrong impression about job security in this field.

[burning rain]

11. In the worst times people will even cut back on taking care of their health.

No surprise if life expectancy falls in the US.

[northernlights]

12. I'm half-way through training for Med Lab Tech

and considering dropping out.

Due to blatant lies by the advisor when I first started training, it's going to take me a year longer and cost considerably more than I budgeted and planned for. It makes sense to borrow $20K for a $40K income. It does NOT make sense to borrow $40K for a $40K income. So it will depend on whether I'm able to sell my house this spring, and how much I get for it. Actually, I *have* to sell it. I will be flat broke by summer and have been among the hardcore unemployed since the high tech crash.

In the meantime, the hospital where I expect to be doing my clinicals has instituted a hiring freeze, with no per diems and no overtime. According to the director of training there (an my A&P teacher) "everything is frozen." They rely heavily on elective procedures, which most people are now electing *not* to do. According to my chemistry prof, they are in serious financial trouble -- borderline bankruptcy.

I didn't really want to work in a hospital. I figured either diagnostic lab or something along the lines of food inspection. I really fear working in a hospital. To many antibiotic-resistant pathogens hang out in them...

[Tansy_Gold]

13. My daughter-in-law is an RN

Her hours have been cut, usually one or two days a month, and a contractor/temp called in, inviolation of her contract. She works at a large hospital in a major city that has been spared much of the nationwide slump, but they are still being affected, and by precisely the issues you cite.




TG

[clear eye]

14. Medical billing and coding is being outsourced to India.

When I first looked into that position, 5 years ago, hospital records supervisors were saying that they'd always need people for this demanding form of clerical work, and that it couldn't be replaced by computers. Well, the 2nd part is true, but the jobs have dried up in all the reasonable locations due to outsourcing. Now, the remaining employers won't even look at your resume if you don't have 3 years experience. How do you get that experience when you have just been certified, you ask? They say you can do lower level work in a doctor's office for half the pay for 3 years to qualify, but I get the impression that they are just not hiring anyone who hasn't been in the field already for the 3 years because many of the jobs are being outsourced. You can find big agencies in India advertising online for more of this work.