Help! I am scheduled every holiday!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

My DON has me scheduled Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, and New years. Following the holiday rotation, I should have Christmas off. Well I walk in today from a few days off and there I am scheduled every holiday. I am upset because they have used me before. When I told my DON how I felt she text me saying "we need to talk tomorrow" what do I say?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You tell them you are not working Christmas. The End.

When I told my DON how I felt she text me saying "we need to talk tomorrow" what do I say?

Did you text her? I don't think discussing how you feel about the schedule should ever be done via text, that sounds unprofessional and whiney. Sorry just being honest.

But no you shouldn't have to work every holiday, that's not fair. Tell her you are willing to work your two majors, one minor (or whatever your holiday routine is) but you will not work extra." And then wait and see what she replies back with.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

If the policy is every other holiday, you go in and remind her of the policy and show her your schedule. Since you presumably just worked Thanksgiving, like LadyFree said, you tell her you're not working Christmas and will keep New Year's.

I suppose it's possible it was an oversight on her part, but say she is using you as in the past. You don't consent to being used. You are a professional, not a serf.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The DON wants to talk with you tomorrow. OK. Go talk to her and LISTEN (with an open mind) to what she has to say. For all you know now, this might be a mistake and she may change it for you. So don't make her an enemy if you don't have to. Be professional and polite -- and give her a chance to fix it.

Take a copy of the scheduling policy with you. Be sure to review it ahead of time so that you know what the rules/guidelines are. After listening to what she has to say, use the policy to point out anything about your schedule that is not consistent with that policy.

It's important to strike a balance between being flexible to "help out" ... but not so flexible that you get taken advantage of. Know what your limits are ahead of time. If those limits are crossed, be prepared to make the difficult decision to either work a schedule you don't want or hand in your resignation.

Good luck! ... and please let us know how it turns out.

Print out the policy and take it with you. Also print out last year's schedule if you plan on bringing that up.

It may be that, as in many places, Christmas isn't just Christmas Day. Some places count Christmas Eve as a holiday, so you could end up working one of them. Or they don't count Christmas Day after 7pm. Likewise New Year's Eve and Day. Check that policy carefully and go in with an open mind, and maybe an offer to trade with someone. Most of the places I've worked, nonChristians often offer to work Christmas for a trade for their holidays (which are usually never mentioned in any policy).

+ Add a Comment