So I'm currently working in a surgical onco floor as a new grad nurse and my shift begins tomorrow. I just finished a month of didactics and now we will be sent to our units.
So my didactics went from 8a-5pm and I had weekends off. That meant I had all the time to attend Church every sunday and have some free time. So I was called as a member of the young women presidency in our ward and also was assigned a teaching assignment for the youth. So I accepted these callings because I have always wanted to do these before.
What I am very sad about it is that we start working with shifting schedule this week (just as all us nurses usually do) and ofc, I may not always have the time to go to church and attend to my calling (or teach) every weekend consistently and this makes me sad. I spoke with my bishop about this and he knows I am on a shifting schedule. He said I didnt need to be there all the time.
Im just worried I might get schedules that will require me not to attend church for a loooong period and it makes me honestly sad. How did you deal with shifting schedules and Church callings and responsibilities?
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
It has been said that the highest form of worship is time spent in the service of others. I can think of no better example of this than tending to the ill and infirm. The OP was not asking how to get out of working their fair share of weekends and holiday's but rather how people of faith deal with the requirements of faith vs the requirements or the profession. Most facilities that I have worked at have an every other weekend schedule that allows the faithful a chance to be with their respective congregations at least twice a month. Others work nights so they can have the sabbath day off. Almost all religious leaders I have spoken to with regard to these matters will tell you that your faith permits you to work. If not then you need to search your own soul to determine what is right for you.
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
It can be a bit daunting when you are just starting out. Stress comes from many directions, doesn't it? It's even harder when you are misunderstood! I am not a Mormon, though some close friends of mine are. I do love the Lord and understand completely your quandry. I do not sense that you are requesting special treatment either.
I too struggled at first when I missed Sundays and some special things. Our faith is a calling, but so is nursing. Luke, of the New Testament, was a doctor. And Dorcas ministered and was generous to others, particularly the poor.
The Lord does expect us to honor commitments, which is why your Bishop had compassion on you. Please don't stress about this.
You can be there for your patients and colleagues, both to help and to bless. God honors that too. Just keep a "right" spirit about it, and you will do just fine, Honey. (Speaking as an old lady grandma here.)
I am LDS and have been an RN for 18 years. I hear what you're saying, which (I think) is NOT that you won't work weekends, but that you'd prefer to be able to attend your meetings. I understand. It sounds to me like you will have some kind of rotating schedule that will require working some, but not all, Sundays (and possibly Mutual nights). Since your bishop is aware of your scheduling conflicts and is okay with them, it seems the only remaining roadblock is missing Sunday meetings. I don't know where you live, so maybe this isn't an option, but is there another ward whose sacrament meeting is not held during your shift? For example, if you are working 3-11, maybe there's an early morning block you could attend on working Sundays. Just a thought. As others have mentioned, maybe someone would jump at the chance to switch shifts with you. (I used to work with a practicing Wiccan who happily swapped shifts in exchange for days celebrated in her religious observances!) If there is no way to switch shifts, just remember that you are doing a service for your patients/families, not just a job. (See D&C 81:4-6). I'm pretty sure that Russell M. Nelson worked a Sunday or two! :)
I live in an area with high LDS population. The LDS nurses often prefer to work night shift so they don't miss out on church. One co-worker would get off shift on Sunday morning and then get her three kids to the early service. I don't know how she did it but I admire her dedication to her faith! I had a couple of day nurse co-workers who had enough seniority to ask for Sundays off and work work every Saturday instead. And lastly, there were newer nurses who didn't have seniority yet who found co-workers to trade with. So while it may be difficult right now as you are newer, it will get easier. Good luck!
To whom are you all speaking? The OP? She didn't say anything about not working the Sundays, nor ask for any pointers on how to screw others out of their weekends off, nor state that it's a sin for her to work on Sundays, nor...blah blah blah...
What gives?
I was trying to be clear that my question was directed to the general you, does "general you" not have the same meaning on this forum as I'm accustomed on other forums?
I understood that the OP was posting about dealing with her conflict, not requesting special treatment.
I've never known anyone to request special treatment on an ongoing basis so it really was a general philosophical question for me, directed to the general religious membership, posted early on in the thread prior to a perceived pile on. My only experience is with nurses who state their weekend availability upfront and were hired full disclosure.
Im just worried I might get schedules that will require me not to attend church for a loooong period and it makes me honestly sad. How did you deal with shifting schedules and Church callings and responsibilities?
Fully half of the people who posted in this thread seem to responding to a different OP. This OP is asking other Mormon/LDS nurses how they dealt with being sad about missing out on something that has brought them great fulfillment. Yes, it appears she was a little naive and didn't think this through before becoming a hospital RN but she's not even suggesting she doesn't want to work, it just makes her sad.
I do hope you come back. Working shift work is really hard, especially when balancing church activities as well. It sounds like you have many exciting things happening, work, church. If you are finding that the schedule is always having you work, Weds, or another day and it is causing you to consistently miss a meeting or church. See if you could ask the scheduler. hey, for the past two months I have worked 6 out of 8 Weds, is there anyway I could make it 4 out of 8? Some things may just be oversites. If these are not options, is it possible to have a mini group meeting on your days off? I know it won't be the same, but maybe getting together on one of your off days and meeting up might help and then you are missing out a little less. I realize it is not the same, but it could help so you are not missing the connections.
I am not LDS, but practicing Catholic and understand about missing certain events. It makes me a little sad, but there are ways to adjust, but that takes time. I am glad you have the support of your Bishop.
As soon as someone bemoans having to work weekends and mentions their religion in the same breath, all kinds of judgment and accusations of entitlement come out.
Get some experience, then apply for some type of M-F work outside the hospital. It may pay less, but we live by our priorities.
I knew that when I chose Nursing as a profession, there were a lot of things I would have to give up. I knew I would have to work rotating shifts, holidays, weekends, along with being exposed to all different diseases, illnesses, germs, etc. It was just part of the package deal of the career. I have missed special events, family outings and get togethers, birthdays, and I don't complain. What about those people that we are there providing care for, they are missing out on possibly more than we are. If teaching her religious belief is the OP's calling, than maybe she should have chosen another career that had a more friendly schedule.
hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I
4 Articles; 5,212 Posts
It has been said that the highest form of worship is time spent in the service of others. I can think of no better example of this than tending to the ill and infirm. The OP was not asking how to get out of working their fair share of weekends and holiday's but rather how people of faith deal with the requirements of faith vs the requirements or the profession. Most facilities that I have worked at have an every other weekend schedule that allows the faithful a chance to be with their respective congregations at least twice a month. Others work nights so they can have the sabbath day off. Almost all religious leaders I have spoken to with regard to these matters will tell you that your faith permits you to work. If not then you need to search your own soul to determine what is right for you.
Hppy