Lesson 7: Managing Healthcare Resources

I struggle with the topic of health care budgets. I became a nurse because I want to help people. I know I've said it before, but the further I get into the bachelors program, the more I find out that nursing has evolved into an entirely new animal, and the less certain I become that I want to be a part of it. Healthcare is a business. I understand that it always has been, but it seems it's becoming more about padding the pockets of business men than serving others. Budgets are an important part of business, even a business that seeks to help others. However, I feel there has got to be a balance.

If I you'll allow me, may I illustrate with a story:

I started working as a CNA when I was 16. I worked at a 30 bed skilled nursing facility that had been owned by the same family for over 30 years. The owner, Maxine, did not actively work at the facility, but she was very involved. She knew all the residents and their families. Her daughters worked as nurses, and recreational therapists, grand kids worked as CNAs and kitchen help, and those of us that which were not family were made to feel like we were. Staff ate what the residents ate. Our pay was competitive. The best briefs on the market were used for the residents. The budget was maintained and the owner still made a good amount of profit and lived a comfortable life. Then, through some rather unfortunate and rather sneaky turn of events, the business was purchased by a couple of men who sought to create a chain of nursing homes. They wanted to make money. The new owners changed to a cheaper brand of brief, and increased cost to residents. The new brief were still considered within the guidelines of quality care, but they sucked! Funny I should remember the briefs the most. Food quality went down and staff no longer was allowed to eat food from the kitchen. To make a long story shorter, patient and staff satisfaction declined greatly and within 5 years the facility closed. I suppose this is what has embittered me to the money making side of health care.