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?
Had a former coworker who was LDS. Her schedule was TH-FRI-SAT night shift. It was a tradeoff with the employer so she could have Sundays off. As others have said, you could try trading. However, be forewarned that some people will expect you to trade off with them at some point in the future. Some employers will work with you. Others will say no. Good luck. Hope you find something you can work with.
I read and re-read the OP ... and it just reads as someone who is sad and looking for feedback from nurses who have BTDT. Of someone looking for life-balance.
It does not read, in any way, of someone looking to get out of working weekends.
I'm so confused by some of the tones of the responses following.
It's hard becoming a new nurse and moving into that 24/7 schedule. I think all of us can attest to that. And that's all I'm reading into the OP. Just... sadness.
I think probably some of the negatively stems from good old fashioned bigotry. Anti-mormonism is a socially acceptable prejudice in many quarters. And, there are some people who are just generally resentful and hateful towards any person of faith.
There's also a general growing intolerance in our society towards the more conservative belief systems. They are viewed as rigid and hateful by all the tolerant people.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I don't see where the OP was trying to get out of working Sundays. We've all seen those threads posted by members who are actually aghast at the idea of working weekends and holidays, and this one ain't it. She is merely trying to reconcile her religious practice with her nursing practice, and there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with that. Many of us have to do the same thing; I'm Catholic and we are expected to be at Mass every single Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. But people get sick and need care 24/7/365, and the Church is understanding of that. We believe we are doing the Lord's work when we care for the sick ("what you do unto the least of these, you do unto Me"). I wish the OP the best in her quest to find work/life balance and worship as she is able.
Why would you think that someone who wants to work out a way to both do their work (which happens to be caring for the ill) and their other faith-related responsibilities doesn't believe that caring for the ill is one way they can serve their god?
Why is it that you can make such declarations about what others think?
I wasn't inferring or assuming that the OP felt that working as a nurse interfered with their calling rather than being part of their calling since the OP clearly stated that:
...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...
As to your second paragraph, you've made another wise-sounding leap I would guess is incorrect. The OP has just been given some responsibilities at her "social club," which she feels amount to serving. That doesn't mean she doesn't think caring for the ill is serving, too. Your whole "words of wise observation" thing leaves quite a bit to be desired as far as any neutral thoughts on the matter.
So it's a social club. Where are all the kitty claws when other people come here moaning about relationship woes or having no social life? Or caring for parents or children....or, well, just about anything else that involves integrating another aspect of life with one's nursing career? All of us are missing out on time for other responsibilities while we're at work. But those discussions don't quite as often seem to go the way this one has...
I'm wondering if you meant to quote a different post since your quoted statements weren't actually in my post.
I am however an equal opportunity Grouch, I find any of the various 'nursing would be better if it wasn't for all these sick people' complaints to be equally annoying.
Sometimes you can find someone to trade with. Or you can ask to work Friday/Saturday instead of Sunday. I work every other Saturday/Sunday and 3/4 Friday's because this leaves me with the weekdays free. I have other commitments during the week that I either need to do or really enjoy doing. Other people in my department only work 1/4 weekends. That meets the minimum weekend requirements where I work. Each position/employer is different. Hopefully you can work something out. I'm not particularly religious but I can understand that there are things you enjoy doing. Odds are good that you won't have every Sunday off, but it's not hopeless that you will have the majority off. The key is to remain as flexible on other days as you can and not to complain and cause a fuss when you can't. Most of my coworkers are good at switching shifts to help out coworkers, but we stop doing it for people that don't return the favor.
I have said for years, when people start bemoaning working on Sundays/Holy Days, Holidays, etc, Well if you think you have it so rough, think of the poor soul laying in that bed who can't attend them either, due to being too sick.
Don't enter a field where work on your "Special day off" is a major issue, if it's that big a deal. OP, you are not the only one who has religious or other reasons why they don't want to work certain days, and you won't be the last. This has been discussed on these forums so often through the years.
Here is the rub: You enter into a contract, knowing you have to work certain days and if you can't, you have a couple of choices. You trade shifts with some one willing to work or you don't take a job where working gets in the way of your religious practices. Everyone can say they have reasons why not to work weekends/off shifts--- believe me. But they signed up for it and they work, because they agreed to. Trade shifts or jobs. Your calling does not trump others' rights to have the occasional weekend off for whatever reason. It's important to you, but their reasons are just as valid to them.
And since you are called, try applying that notion to being compassionate to those who miss their special or holy days due to being too sick/hospitalized to attend and work those days understanding you are serving in an honorable way.
A bit harsh, I think. I didn't view OP as complaining, but accepting of the situation and simply asking others of her faith how they do it.
Anyway, OP:
If you believe God is calling you to do something, He will work out the details of how to make it happen. And I don't think He'd want you to be sad. Just as He's calling you to do other activities, He's calling you to your place of employment, as well. If it's not the right place, He will let you know and close that door and open another. Good luck!
I feel like half the responders didn't even read the OP. What the heck?
I am an atheist, and still there's been *many* times I've been in the OPs shoes. Religion is not the issue here; the OP is speaking about work/life balance and nowhere is she asking for special treatment.
So first, let me clarify that I am a paramedic working to an RN, so perhaps take some of this as a more general reaction. I completely emphasize with you. It's not that you won't work due to your religion, but that you have to miss certain events because of work and that leaves you feeling sad. I understand. I have lively discussion groups I enjoy attending but when my job switched my schedule, I was no longer able to attend and friends felt let down by this and I missed seeing them as often. Unfortunately we are in a calling where work often comes first and we miss holidays and other events with friends and family. It can be hard and is not for everyone. But, if you are like me, helping others is our calling.
I would suggest that you look into the religious accommodation laws in your states as religion is considered a protected class. You may be able to work with your employer on having Sundays off from time to time and even perhaps once you are there for some time, there may be people willing to do trades. I know in the medic world we do a ridiculous amount of trades to make a livable schedule. Good luck on your new job. I can't wait to be ins your shoes!
I also had a big calling. It depends on what your job asks for you to do. I choose to make my own schedule instead of having a set one. I work on night shift and we all have to work 4 weekend days monthly. One of the 4 days has to be a Saturday. So if I work a Saturday then I work Sunday too since I'll be missing church anyway. The two weekends days I work are Fridays. So I typically only have to miss one Sunday a month depending on how fast I can get the days I want when Schedule 360 opens. It mostly works out. In the end, you have to do the best you can. You have an obligation to your job too .
L-ICURN, BSN, RN
90 Posts
Had a former coworker who was LDS. Her schedule was TH-FRI-SAT night shift. It was a tradeoff with the employer so she could have Sundays off. As others have said, you could try trading. However, be forewarned that some people will expect you to trade off with them at some point in the future. Some employers will work with you. Others will say no. Good luck. Hope you find something you can work with.