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My institution has provided the same amount of funds for the past 10 years, so as travel/conference costs increase, I need to take more out of my own pocket. However, I am allowed the time off for meetings.
--Bernadette Rodak, CLSpH(NCA),
Professor,
Indiana University,
Indianapolis
Very much so; the institution has curtailed the amount designated for travel expenses by 10 percent. Most of the conference travel I paid out of my own pocket, but lately, I need to be very selective as travel has become more expensive (i.e., air, hotels, meals, etc.).
--Sara L. Diaz, CLSup(NCA),
Core Lab Operations Manager,
AMH,
PA
This may be cut out of my lab budget by administration for 2009. If so, I don't know if I can afford to pay for a conference on my own. The cost is usually around $2,000 for air, hotel, meals and miscellaneous transportation.
--Daphne Horvath, MT(ASCP),
Lab Director,
Vail Valley Medical Center,
Vail, CO
Our funds have been frozen since April. Anyone wishing to attend outside conference must pay on their own and take vacation time. We have received permission for Webinars or teleconferences if attended by several staff.
--Barb Newman, MT(ASCP),
Lab Manager,
ProMedica Laboratories,
Toledo, KS
Conference travel! We can't even go to corporate meetings 45 miles away any more.
--John, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA),
Transfusion Service Supervisor,
McKay-Dee Hospital Center,
Ogden, UT
Haven't gone to a conference in years, between cost of travel and no reimbursement from facilities worked for or my current travel agency. I have always purchased my CEUs and relied on others for updated info. When you have more than one licensure and need so many CEUs, plus all out-of-pocket, conferences are definitely out of the question.
--Debra Cassata, CLT(NCA), CLT(FL),
Generalist/Traveler,
Fitzgibbon Hospital,
Marshall, MO
Currently, all of our continuing education budget has been reduced to $0. It is the beginning of our fiscal year, so it is possible that if the hospital is still doing OK in a few months, when they re-evaluate all the cuts, the lab might get back some of its education dollars. If that happens, then I will plan on attending a conference. If the CE budget remains as is, then I will not be attending any conferences this year and, next year would probably be iffy too.
--Kristin, MT(ASCP),
Chemistry Hematology Supervisor,
Yampa Valley Medical Center,
Steamboat Springs, CO
Our institution has cut back on funding for continuing education and conference travel over the last several years. In addition, this year, funding for travel to conferences occurring outside the United States has been eliminated completely. Many laboratory/pathology professional organizations, such as AAPA and NSH, just to name a couple, host meetings in Canada.
For example, NSH is divided into nine regions, with Region IX Canada. The annual Symposium/Convention was held a few years ago in Toronto. It is scheduled to be held in Vancouver in a few years. Obviously, attendance at these meetings will be more difficult and I expect to see a drop in attendance by other professionals who have had their funding cut.
With today's focus on lab employee competency and patient safety, I am disappointed that funding for conference travel/continuing education is being cut. This is the very thing that empowers and engages employees, keeps them competent to perform their duties, and ultimately impacts patient care.
--Cindy Higgerson, HTL(ASCP)CM,
Surgical Pathology Supervisor,
Memorial Hospital,
Belleville, IL
Since state and federal grants continue to be reduced due to the economy, we have had cuts in our travel budget. Only managers and program directors are allowed to attend conferences and many times it is more appropriate for the testing staff to attend. Not enough staff training could lead to non-compliance with regulatory agencies.
The lab manager has to try to come up with other methods to find current and relevant training opportunities and even online training is too expensive and beyond our budget. It would be great to find out how other labs are able to keep a well-trained working staff with a minimal training budget.
The most unfortunate effect that cutting staff training and networking can have is a negative impact on employee morale. Even though the medical technologists know the dilemma we face, I want to have options for continued enrichment before problems develop.
--Cindy Overkamp,
Lab Manager,
Kent County Health Department,
Grand Rapids, MI
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