Cape Fear Valley Health layoffs leave 138 employees searching for work
FAYETTEVILE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Cape Fear Valley Health is eliminating 200 positions across its health system amid growing financial pressures, a move that will leave 138 employees searching for new jobs.
Health system leaders cited rising costs and uncertainty surrounding federal funding as factors behind the decision.
For Amanda Jacobs, the news came as a shock.
"I was upset for myself as well because I was really excited about being in this position," said Jacobs, a licensed practical nurse who worked on the medical-surgical and pediatric floor at Betsy Johnson Hospital in Dunn.
Jacobs said she felt blindsided when she was called into a meeting with human resources.
"I was kind of dreading that initial meeting when I found out that I was called to H.R.," she said.
Working with children was one of the most rewarding parts of her job.
"We had a lot of little babies come in with RSV or anything like that, we would help take care of them and make sure they're stable," she said.
She now worries some families may have to travel farther for pediatric care.
"Time is of the essence," Jacobs said. "You just kind of hope that, you know, they had to come to our emergency room and just hope that there's a nurse there that knows how to work with children."
Cape Fear Valley Health employs more than 9,000 people. Officials said about 2% of staff at each hospital were impacted.
In a statement, Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Dan Weatherly called the cuts difficult but necessary.
"These are difficult decisions, and they are never made lightly. They impact colleagues who have contributed so much to our patients and to our mission. However, these decisions reflect the challenging environment facing healthcare organizations across the country."
Community leaders are now working to connect affected employees with new opportunities.
"We do have a website that'll be open to the candidates where they can submit resumes or take a look at the vendors that are going to be there and that type of thing," said Nat Robertson, president and CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.
A job fair featuring healthcare employers and other businesses is scheduled for July 17 at 10 a.m. at the Crown Expo Center.
Officials also noted that recent projects, including the Methodist University School of Medicine, were funded through grants and donations that cannot be used to support day-to-day operations.
Jacobs said she plans to continue her education while picking up additional shifts at another job as she looks ahead.
