Nurse Survey Finds Hospitals are Making Cost-Cutting Moves

Tonya Barrere, RN, assistant nurse manager in the Emergency Department at Robert J. Dole VAMC, says the results are not alarming.

"I agree with what facilities are doing to try to stay ahead of the game. Keep hiring nurses and reduce turnover. I think that reducing travel and supply costs are obvious measures to save a buck, but saving on education is not a smart move. If hospitals are pro-education, they can retain more staff and more staff loyalty," Barrere says.

Particularly at Tripp's facility, OhioHealth saw a decrease in travel expenses and staff did not receive raises. However, to help keep up staff's morale, employees received a bonus. "We have maintained a good finance, did not do layoffs, and we are hiring," says Tripp. "I think we will still need to do most of these things to stay ahead for a while."