Christmas Schedule

psychonurse · Dec 2, 2002

I worked short on Thanksgiving, it was one other nurse and I in a 1500 bed all male prison. One nurse called in sick and we couldn't get anyone else to come in or stay. We worried all night that something bad was going to happen but things went great all night. The next morning after getting to sleep at 2am one of my bosses called to rag me out cause I had been upset when I got to work and found out that we were going to be working short. I told her that I wasn't worried about having to work so hard, it was the safety of the facility that I had problems with. Didn't make me very happy about that.

I am also working Christmas and New Years and it is all 3-11 but I really don't care cause it is just a day to me. When my parents were alive and my brothers children were little I would like to have the holidays off but it doesn't matter to me anymore.

I agree about the fact that the people that have children shouldn't have more holidays off than I do just because I don't have children. I have made a choice but I shouldn't be stuck doing all the evening shifts or all the night shifts just because I am single and have no family conflicts. My mother and father worked all the time that I was growing up and it didn't make any difference to them and I came out okay. But I work with nurses that think that from the time thier children are born until the time that they hit 18 that they don't or should not have to work anything but day shifts. I get so tired of that, not only am I working all the holidays but there are only a few of us that work the overtime also. But I guess that is the burden of not wanting to have children has got me into. I just think that I should have the same respect that they have.

Katana · Dec 2, 2002

I can see that this is a pet peeve for many of us.

This year I worked Thanksgiving, will work Christmas Eve and have Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day off.

For us, if you worked Thanksgiving, you will most likely work Christmas Eve and have Christmas Day off. We take turns unless someone prefers to and volunteers to work the holidays. I usually work Thanksgiving as it's not that special a family holiday for us.

I grew up in a medical family where having Dad home for holidays without getting called in just didn't exist. That was his choice. I chose nusring but I didn't chose it because I wanted to work every weekend and every holiday but I believe in being fair. Every other weekend off, share the holidays and alternate things like Christmas.

For me, Christmas is the main holiday that I want to spend with my family. No kids. I'm the youngest but I deserve my holiday with my family, too. I don't mind if it's Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

One year, the unit I worked in was all 12 hour shift people. We worked it out amongst ourselves and went to our nurse manager with the plan.... we would all work 4 hour shifts on Christmas day.

I worked 7a-11, the next person worked 11-15, and the last worked 15-19. It worked out great and fit all our lifestyles and EVERYONE was happy! It's surprising how fast those little 4 hour blocks went.

I fully agree that those who have kids should not have any priority over those who do not. I've worked with people who thought, just because they had kids, they should be able to have whatever schedule they wanted. Always asking someone to trade days with them because something came up with one of their kids. It got to the point that absolutely NO ONE on the unit would trade days with her.

We also have those who are scheduled for the holiday and then call in sick. Boss made a rule.. you call in on a holiday, you go to the ER, get seen by the Dr and bring the excuse in. If you don't, you don't get paid and you get counceled for abuse. No one wants to pay $75 to go to the er unless they truely are sick.

Here, those who want Hannuckah (I'm sorry, I know I misspelled that) or Rhamadan, or Winter or Summer Solstice don't have near the fight to get the days off but those are special days to them, as well.

My point is the same as others. Having children does NOT give you any priority over anyone else working. You take your turn like everyone else or find someone who is willing to work for you.

Kat

Q. · Dec 2, 2002

Originally posted by zudy
Off Thanksgiving, the Friday after , Christmas eve, day New Years day ALL WITH PAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heather, you just think you suck!!!!

Ditto.

Q. · Dec 2, 2002

Fab,

I also agreed with your post. This is also a very sore subject for me due to past experiences with parents either bamboozling me or otherwise treating me like crap for wanting Christmas off. As if my holidays aren't as important because I didn't pop out a few babies.

Seems everywhere in our society, kids are treated as entitlements. Ya get holidays off, ya get tax breaks...and all for squirting out a kid. I guess I don't rate.

cindyln · Dec 2, 2002

I had Thanksgiving off,work 23,24 and 25 Dec and New Year's Eve and Day.All 7a-7p.I am so bummed.There are nurses that did not get scheduled for ANY OF THE HOLIDAYS! what do they do???

flowerchild · Dec 2, 2002

People shouldn't treat you badly if you choose to take off a earned holiday. I really do agree that it should be fair for everyone with no priorities to anyone. Parents should plan accordingly and work the least important holidays to them, or have a job that allows the holidays off, which is what I have done. Priorities, ya know. I'm sure there are Mommy/nurses who have no choice and must work the holidays. :-{

In the past I have been lucky to work with many young travelers and transplants who had no children, I was and still am thankful to them. They would work all the holidays on the unit b/c they'd rather work than be home alone. My point is that it is very nice when someone volunteers to work so that a mother with young children can be home on the holidays.

I'm sorry so many of you have been bullied at work over taking your earned day off. You rightly deserve the day off too. Hoping and Wishing everyone has a Happy Holiday.

researchrabbit · Dec 3, 2002

Well, I'm still in research and it's hard to get pts in over the holidays...so I work the 26th and 27th (when my existing folks are scheduled), and otherwise I am off from the 21st and go back Jan 2 (I do have to use some vacation time, but what the heck...that's what it's for). :)

live4today, RN · Dec 3, 2002

It doesn't bother me to work holidays as long as the staff nurses are alternating those days fairly between one another. :nurse:

MQ Edna · Dec 3, 2002

I was off Thanksgiving (turkey flopped, darn it!) and I'm off Christmas Eve, but I'm coming in on Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. I'll try to do some educational games, spread some candy and goodwill around and help out where I'm needed. :kiss No martyrdom here, though; it's actually kind of fun working holidays where I work. Once people are past the initial grumpiness of being there, the Christmas spirit spreads and hearts seem to warm up. :clown: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you as we share the holidays at work, home or wherever we end up. :kiss :kiss

cassioo, RN · Dec 3, 2002

well I have a wonderful schedule. I worked 7a-7p Thanksgiving and the day after. Then I was off Sat and Sunday but traded with someone so I worked 7a-7p Sunday and Monday now off till Saturday again not too bad. Our hospital "gives" Thanksgiving dinner to employees but you can't get mashed and sweet potatoes and green beans and dressing also only 2 of the 4 or you have to pay for the rest really petty to me. Then come Christmas I work 7p-7a on the 24th then I was going to be off until 7p-7a on new years eve but agreed to overtime the Friday between. I have a pretty good boss then I'm off on vacation so the overtime won't hurt going cross country Jan 10th -17th. If you have vacation time coming you just ask this boss and you get it no juggling your own schedule to get someone to cover your weekend. Next year will be my off Holiday weekends

HubbywifeRN's · Dec 4, 2002

My hubby and I are both RN's working 12 hour shifts, in different hospitals. Both hospitals use the "you worked Christmas last year, you get it off this year" policy. Because we have small children, and prefer not to use a sitter or daycare, we never both work at the same time. This year he works Christmas and I work New Years. Our kids are very flexible-- they write a letter to Santa and tell him that Mom or Dad is working on Christmas Day, and could he deliver their presents on, for example, the 27th instead. To me, the actual date of the celebration is not that important, we just have our family get-together on a day other than the 25th. And isn't it nice to be able to be with your "work family", bring in potluck lunch, goodies, etc.?

I agree with all of the previous posters who said that having kids doesn't mean you shouldn't have to pull your fair share of holiday shifts. We all went into nursing with our eyes wide open :eek: knowing we would have to work shifts, holidays, etc.

Thanks for letting me put in my 2 cents worth!

-Marianne

NativeButterfly · Dec 4, 2002

I do not think that everyone that went into nursing went in with their eyes wide open, Marianne. The nurse that I referred to earlier believes that since the "losers"-those of us with no children or husbands-have "no attachments", then we should work every holiday she wants off. She had been granted this at every hospital she has worked at. This is very frustrating to us "losers". :angryfire We are to have a unit meeting tomorrow and I intend to ask our new unit manager about next years holidays and how they will be divided. I wonder how she will get everything off like she had it this year. I feel she should have to work them next year or at least Christmas. Anyway, sorry to vent everyone. I am still very upset at the favortism.