Layoff Reflection Paper

The most prominent issue that I have noticed at my placement is in regards to the layoffs that will be starting in November. Since the announcement that 158 positions were being laid off, the entire morale and dynamic on the floor has become tense.
This issue reflects the issues identified on the CNA’s “On the Issues” website, as the bed closures and employee layoffs will result in a reduction of the services and care that the hospital will be able to provide.
Health care costs have not been reduced; in fact, they are increasing (Burke, Ng, & Wolpin, 2011).
One method used to reduce costs is to cut beds or units in hospitals. This was supplemented with increasing outpatient care services, home care services, and encompassing outpatient

surgery to include angioplasty, cataract and bipass in Canada and other countries (Mousazadeh et al, 2013). Bed reduction may have led to reduction in admissions, but also increased the average length of stay (Mousazadeh et al, 2013).
Another method of cost-saving measures is to downsize staffing. However, downsizing of health care employees is associated with lowered job satisfaction, increased levels of burnout, higher amounts of psychological distress, increased patient workloads, poorer quality of patient care, and little if any cost savings (Burke, Ng, & Wolpin, 2011).