working on Christmas?

Nella · Nov 30, 2005

Wow. To whoever posted about nurses without children being bitter: not in my case. You falsely make the assumption that childless nurses are not married. Or could not find a man. You're wrong on both accounts.

Really there's no bitterness. But I've probably worked at least 10-15 Christmases for others. And worked several more when it was my turn to work that holiday. And did it without complaint.

Sooo, when the years rolled around when I was scheduled to have Christmas off and decided not to give it away, I'd prefer others to respect that. Without trying to guilt me out and tell me they are more entited then I am.

That's all.

To the nurse working the day after Christmas when the rest of the office is closed.....I can sympathize with you. Been there and done that. You are right. You'll get alot of calls from folks not realizing the office is closed. So good luck to you!

tlhubbard · Nov 30, 2005

Good point. There are plenty of nursing jobs that don't require weekends/holidays/etc.quote] No there aren't. If there were, I'd be working there.
I don't know about the PLENTY part. But I have had jobs with ambulatory surgery (strictly electives) and they don't work weekends or holidays, or even overnights. However, they pay slightly less also (not enough less to keep me from working there to be with my kids when I wanted). I am currently in a M-Fr 9-5 position. I left surgery (reluctantly) after a major insurance co had a falling out with our hospital, our census went belly up and I was PRN (went from 40 hours/week to 0-10) Couldn't survive on that. I was reluctant to look else where (hoping things would improve). No luck. I found a job that is perfect. The problem at the surgery center was a blessing in disguise. I get paid more than the hospitals were offering, no holidays/weekends/nights. Plus I get a better retirement and no salary cap. Can't beat that with a stick.
I searched for my jobs like that, because I do want to be with my children on the holidays, and I don't want to make anyone else take the brunt of my scheduling needs. This works perfectly. Just gotta keep you eye out.

elthia · Nov 30, 2005

If you had kids you'd know that they are up at or before 7:00 am Christmas morning, so if you are scheduled to work until 7:30 am, don't leave until at least 8:00, then half hour to get home (if there's no snow), then you miss the kids opening their presents. Simple as that. I hear a lot of bitterness from nurses that have a problem finding a man to be with, thus no children thus some jealous people that say things like (reproductive choice) about us that were lucky enough to have a wonderful spouse and lucky enough to have children.

I'm sorry but some people don't have children BY CHOICE, or are unfortunately unable to have children though they do love kids, wanting a holiday off to spend time with your family is natural whether you have kids or not. Why does the motive have to be bitterness when the person wanting the holiday off is single and doesn't have kids? I put up with that attitude for years, I never got married till I was 29, so until recently I was the unmarried childless nurse. And for the majority of those years I was single BY CHOICE. Being single does not mean that one is emotionally unstable. As a matter of fact, I'm glad I was single for years before I realized I was in love with my bestfriend and married him.

I will say that when before I was married, I worked EVERY holiday, and I changed my schedule to accomodate those that had a football game, recital,etc to go to. I stayed at the same workplace after I was married.

WHen I needed a day off because my husband and I were GOING TO COURT TO SUE HIS EX FOR VISITATION WITH HIS KIDS not one person who "owed me" was willing to switch shifts that day. Yeah, in their opinion kids are real important, but only their kids.

I found out quick that those who think that having children entitles you to special priviledges at work aren't willing to extend those priviledges to a formerly childless coworker when that childless coworker suddenly becomes a parent. IMHO it's pure selfishness and they are just using the excuse of having children to cover up for that selfishness.

BTW, when I was a kid, my siblings and I were not allowed to open up the gifts until my Mom woke up, ON HER OWN. We were not allowed to wake her up. You know what, having to wait and sit and look at all those gifts, just added to the excitement of the day. Anticipation makes things more sweet, and it didn't hurt us at all.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Nov 30, 2005

I got lucky this year... With my maternity leave, I have off all of the holidays, from Halloween through New years! I have worked many holidays before this to make up for it though... Im sure next year I will have to work my share as well.

tlhubbard · Nov 30, 2005

BTW, when I was a kid, my siblings and I were not allowed to open up the gifts until my Mom woke up, ON HER OWN. We were not allowed to wake her up. You know what, having to wait and sit and look at all those gifts, just added to the excitement of the day. Anticipation makes things more sweet, and it didn't hurt us at all.

Me too. I had to wait for BOTH parents to wake on their own. Plus, dad would have to "potty", brush his teeth, get coffee (just mess around to torture me it seemed). I wasn't even allowed to get down the stocking and have it ready (mom didn't wrap the stocking stuffers). My brother (11 years younger than me) is a dead head and would sleep the day away (even Christmas) I would have to go kick his butt out of bed. To this day, I am still the first one up at my house on Christmas (with two elementary aged kids). There are some things that just bring out the inner child. Christmas is one of mine. Happy Holidays all!!

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Nov 30, 2005

What is the horror of having the kids wait a couple of hours to open their gifts? Christmas is supposed to be about friends and family, not gifts.

I already said I don't work Christmas Eve...

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 30, 2005

The more i think about it, the more the "find a man" comment is annoying me.

As crazy as it sounds, a man is not needed to enjoy the holiday, or any other day.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Nov 30, 2005

The more i think about it, the more the "find a man" comment is annoying me.
As crazy as it sounds, a man is not needed to enjoy the holiday, or any other day.

You need to get over it please. Stop dragging this on. :uhoh21:

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 30, 2005

bitterness, no, more like an arguement for fair consideration for days off or holidays, no matter what someone's living situation, lifestyle, familystyle is like.
any bitterness i have regarding this subject extends to those people with a sense of self-entitlement that their life, needs, and wants take precedence over any other person who may or may not have a different situation going on. i am not saying any particular person, so for those that just read my post, if this doesn't apply to you, then spare the flames, thank you.

you said it sister! thank you!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 30, 2005

if you had kids you'd know that they are up at or before 7:00 am christmas morning, so if you are scheduled to work until 7:30 am, don't leave until at least 8:00, then half hour to get home (if there's no snow), then you miss the kids opening their presents. simple as that. i hear a lot of bitterness from nurses that have a problem finding a man to be with, thus no children thus some jealous people that say things like (reproductive choice) about us that were lucky enough to have a wonderful spouse and lucky enough to have children.

you need to get over yourself sister! i cannot imagine why anyone would be jealous of an angry, unhappy person such as yourself. what bitterness you hear is about the ugly sense of entitlement that some parents seem to have . . . no one "owes" you christmas off, regardless of your reproductive choices. if you're lucky enough to have a spouse you think is wonderful and children to spend the holidays with, that's marvelous. but christmas is more than a date and time; perhaps you ought to be teaching those children about caring for others and about giving. presents can be opened when you get home, or after you've slept, or on the days before or after christmas, when your family can be together to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday. if it's your turn to work christmas, then work it without whining about it. after all, nothing in my job contract says that since i don't have young children i need to work every christmas, thanksgiving, easter, mother's day, father's day, dance recital, soccer game and first day of school so that mom's can have them off!

ruby

Danianne · Nov 30, 2005

It is really really sad that people have such crappy attitudes about workijng on Chirstmas. I don't WANT to work Christmas and I havn't WANTED to work at Christmas for the past 3yrs but I have NO choice people NEED me to work. I have 2 small children and there is nothing that I would rather be doing on Chistmas Day than sitting and watching their faces when they see the tree with all the presents. So basically get over yourselves and give some time to those who need you to help them.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2005

Bitterness, no, more like an arguement for fair consideration for days off or holidays, no matter WHAT someone's living situation, lifestyle, familystyle is like.
Any bitterness i have regarding this subject extends to those people with a sense of self-entitlement that their life, needs, and wants take precedence over any other person who may or may not have a different situation going on. I am not saying any particular person, so for those that just read my post, if this doesn't apply to you, then spare the flames, thank you.

Good response Marie.

Again, I'd like to say that I'm very sorry for the parents who aren't there when their little ones wake up and open presents. I'm not an ogre. They are only little kids once and it's a joyous experience I'd be bitter if I missed.

Again, I'd like to say that I can't own that bitterness on your part, or give you my time off, just because I don't have kids. That's your holiday, your family, your job and your stuff.

Am I bitter I don't have kids? Puuleeeze.