coming healthcare nightmare scenario [View All]

[northernlights]

When I returned to school for a 2nd degree -- this one in Med Lab Tech -- employment was 100% at the back end, with a worldwide shortage. The Dept. Head told us she'd been contacted by Mass General and asked to increase the MLT slots (15) because they liked the lab techs from the program so much.

That was then. This is now. I'm about to enter my final semester, clinical training, in January. A couple weeks ago, the program director -- unaware that the microphone was ON -- accidentally revealed that hospitals that would take 4 students in training in the past are only reluctantly taking 2. Those that took 2 may take 1. Many hospitals have apparently not yet responded -- 6 weeks to go, 2 of them holiday weeks!

The nearest hospital to me has cancelled *all* open reqs and laid off 3 (all managers!). They also reported that their charity cases doubled last year.

The 2nd nearest hospital has had ongoing layoffs for a couple years now, including nurses and other delivery staff. They've agreed to take 1. There are 2 of us in the area -- we both have 4.0s, but he has a really, really poor tardy and attendance record. I feel bad -- it's not 100% his fault, but it is what it is. As long as we pass this semester, they *have* to give us clinical spots and the fallback is the state hospital (not too far either, but very unlikely to lead to employment if a huge portion of us end up there).

Also, a new hospital in the area got approved last week BUT it's a replacement, not addition. And it's going to have FEWER BEDS because they plan on SHORTENING STAYS...again.

Be prepared to be sent home groggy, in pain, half-alive, and needed a lot of help and outpatient followup. That is the future for those who have insurance, anyway...