Bipolar-Should I ask for ADA accomodations?

[AZRN2112]

I have Bipolar I and work NOC. No problems there, I have adjusted well and am slepping during the day without problems. However, our shifts are very erratic. It's maybe one day on, two days off then two days on, two days off, three days on, one day off, one day on, four days off, two days on, etc. I seem to always be recovering from working or preparing for working. I'd also like to join a support group but never know when I'm working. I've asked my supervisor who makes the schedule what three days, any three days, she can pick them, I could work every week, so I can have the same schedule. She never got back to me and in report there was an announcement that there is "no set schedule and the needs of the department come first." I also asked specifically not to work on Sundays if at all possible, as it's my son's only day off and our family day. Guess what? I work almost every Sunday now. I love my unit (except management) and get along great with my co-workers. My unit is one of the lowest-stress in the hospital. My therapist has told me that I should ask for a set schedule; it would be very beneficial as far as my illness and getting more stable. I have had two manic episodes recently, assumedly due to stress. I am on intermitent FMLA for my bipolar, have been hospitalized twice in the past three years and desperately want to stay out of the hospital forever. Nobody knows of my diagnosis and I don't want them to know. I know I have rights under the ADA but am scared that if I ask for this and if management is forced to give it to me, they will undermine me and find a way to get rid of me. I know the way things are supposed to work and the way things can bite you in the butt. I also think that nobody wants to get in trouble with an ADA violation so I'm really torn. I'm a new nurse with little experience (8 months) and if I lose this job, I don't know if I can find another. I'm a strong nurse, am on a committee, have never had any type of disiplinary problems and recently got a merit raise. Thanks for any input.

[leslie :-D]

First off, not being Bipolar myself I won't even venture to guess how the disease can effect ones life - I just don't know. I do commend the OP for her obvious successes in passing school and the NCLEX which isn't easy for anyone. I imagine the OP may have faced a lot of challenges related to her diagnosis.

while the above should be an obvious point, it remains an excellent one...

that we just don't know how it feels to struggle with bipolar or any other dx'd process.

my dtr was dx'd with bipolar (by sev'l dr's) when she was 15...

and while i was never convinced she had bipolar, i do know she had/has some type of disorder.

still, she struggled...still does.

but i do maintain that the bottom line is, anyone who has a set of challenges, should try and work them out themself.

to me, it's the only way to test our potential and our limitations.

the ada should be used as a very last resort.

op, i really do wish you well.

we are not insensitive, horrible people here.

many of us are just straight-shooters, who believe in gentle dopeslaps back to reality.

please, take care and be good to yourself.

leslie

[Butterfliesnroses]

I think that it comes off as you feeling entitled to not only have a set schedule but to have EVERY Sunday off. That's not really FAIR to others who would like Sundays off as well. I think that if you want set days off then you need to make the ideal appeal to others by offering to work Sundays. Another thing to do is to take a poll and see who would like set days off and who wouldn't then if something can be worked out schedule wise, see if you can work it out.

I work set days off and I really enjoy it b/c it means I can schedule things way in advance b/c I know I'll have certain days off. HOWEVER as the last nurse hired this means I have to work every weekend. I don't have a problem w/this b/c my daughter isn't in school and b/c my boyfriend doesn't work. If the situation didn't work for me I'd see about getting a schedule that met my needs, find another job that DID fit my needs, or buck up and deal w/it. There are 3 of us dayshift nurses and so the one w/the most seniority works mon-fri, the one with the 2nd in line works wed-sun, and I the one w/the least seniority work sat-tues (what was left). I expect the leftovers as the newbie. In fact when they had the holiday sign up sheet I didn't bother signing up b/c I felt as the newbie I should take what was left.

I know that I felt a little bit angry and held a grudge when someone w/less seniority was given weekends off b/c they have kids...not fair to me b/c I had put in my time. My old boss was like this...she'd give those w/kids holidays and weekends off. It would make the rest of us pretty angry b/c I'm sorry I've put in my time...it's not really my problem what someone else wants/needs. If it benefits ME then I will gladly be okay w/it.

SO OP I think you need to sweeten the pot so it benefits others as well...esp if you don't want them to hold a resentment towards you....also I think it doens't make much sense if you were already having most sun off to request every one off?!

[Scarlette Wings]

i don't know why everyone is so worried i'm trying to get something extra or get out of something. we are required to work two weekend shifts a month; we have a dedicated weekend crew. i have put in (our self-scheduling) to work every wed thurs and fri. that's four weekend shifts a month. that way i'm covering what is required of me and working the same shifts. so, i'm not trying to get out of anything, i'm actually volunteering to work two extra weekend shifts per month. it's not hurting anyone, would help our department, help me stay healthy and hopefully allow me to stay in a position where i'm really happy and doing well. what is so terrible? i just asked a simple question wanting some input as to whether this would be a bad idea, if basically management would feel resentful or something towards me. i've never used ada in my life and don't know anything about it and have no clue how it would be recieved in the real world. i thought maybe someone here might have had some experience with it. i don't understand why i'm getting all the negative comments and everyone is reading all this other bs into my question. i'm not personally to blame for people taking advantage of the system etc. i'm just trying to figure out how to solve my problem. thanks again for the positve comments and ideas.

wow. i just finished reading this thread and all i can say is ouch! op. at least you may have a clear idea from the diversified reactions on here what a reaction at work would be like for you. do not think i would stick my head out a limb like that myself. having walked in those shoes, i just figure maybe you have a taste of what it would be like and why most of us who have disabilities keep our mouth closed and just keep going..and going..like the

ever ready bunny. i am sorry this thread has seemed rough but you will gain wisdom and experience. hang in there.

[GM2RN]

I have been following this thread and feel that there are many valid, albeit opposing viewpoints.

I would also like to confirm that Fridays nights are considered to be weekend shifts at some hospitals. Typically, the weekend would consist of Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday.

If weekends at the OPs workplace are Fridays and Saturdays, then the schedule that the OP suggested would fulfill the OPs obligation...on paper.

But I also agree with the post that stated it is not going to sit well with other employees for the OP to have every Sunday off.

I was also required to work a minimum of 1 Sunday per 4 week schedule at one workplace where Friday and Saturday nights were the weekend, since NOBODY wanted to work Sundays if they didn't have to.

OP, I think that asking for a set schedule can't hurt, but I don't think you should go the ADA route to get it. Being willing to give up a Sunday or two per schedule might get you closer to the schedule that you want, especially since you are also asking for every Saturday off with your proposed schedule...another sore spot with coworkers.

Bottom line is, if you are willing to compromise, you might get something you can live with.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

At our hospital you have to work 2 shifts for it to be considered a weekend. Working just Friday night is not considered a weekend. You have to work Friday and Saturday night. That is not what the OP proposes. She wants Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Considering she would finish Sat at 7:30 am, she would still have her entire weekend off. this would not sit well with nurses at my hospital.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

At our hospital you have to work 2 shifts for it to be considered a weekend. Working just Friday night is not considered a weekend. You have to work Friday and Saturday night. That is not what the OP proposes. She wants Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Considering she would finish Sat at 7:30 am, she would still have her entire weekend off. this would not sit well with nurses at my hospital.

Her hospital's policy might be different.

[regularRN]

An erratic schedule is difficult for anyone - where I work we have a set two week schedule that repeats over and over... so we know our shifts into the future ad infinitum. This seems like an excellent arrangement to me, but of course we have to work alternate weekends (Sat and Sun).

Maybe the OP should bide her time, as with seniority one can tweak a schedule... or there are many alternative possibilities - MD's offices, surgery centers, dialysis, public health, school nurse, insurance agencies, etc. - all of which are generally weekdays only.

[steelydanfan]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. All the negative feedback just shows why people with mental illness choose to keep things in the dark. I was told when I took the position it was "self-scheduling". I came from another department with self-scheduling and they pretty much gave us what we asked for. I'm not asking for weekends or holidays off. I never said that in my post. I'm not asking any co-workers to "pick up my slack." Why would it affect them at all if I worked the same three days in a row every week? When I developed this illness about three years ago I was devastated; all I thought was "oh my God, am I going to be able to be a nurse? Am I going to be able to work?" I was reassured that as long as I take my meds, watch my stress, know my triggers, chances are good that I will be able to lead a normal functioning life. My thoughts are that the way things are going I may need to find a job that is more M-F 9-5, such as an outpatient clinic (Dr. office, outpatient endo, something along those lines.) Anyhow, all the judgemental and hurtful comments have actually helped confirm that having a mental illness is still something to be ashamed of and I better not say anything.

OP, you have to understand something. No one has more empathy than I do, towards your illness and the struggles you face. I am NOT being judgemental.

However, it is not up to me to rearrange my life as your coworker to accomodate you. I am as special as you are, with my own set of problems and angst.

"Why would it affect them at all if I worked the same same three days at all every week?" Because it does not take into account: Jury duty, a co-workers sudden death of a family member, a LOA due to illness, a resignation; or myriad other problems that occur with your co-workers that neccessitates a shift in plans for EVERYONE.

Quite frankly, there is NO nursing position that can assure you what you need. Patients will ALWAYS do the unexpected, there WILL be unplanned for OT, you WILL have to bend SOMEWHERE. If you canot do that, well, this career is not for you.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I think every full time night nurse feels that way with the sleeping. It's part of working nights and one of the reasons we get a shift diff. It wreaks havoc on your body. It sounds you are a new nurse who actually enjoys your job so I wouldn't put it in jeopardy because new nurses with jobs are rare and new nurses with jobs they LIKE are even more rare.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

Also, full time nights we can work W Th F every week and that would cover our weekend commitment of 4 weekend shifts a month...F counts for night shifters. We also have a dedicated weekend staff.

[beewink]

"Why would it affect them at all if I worked the same same three days at all every week?" Because it does not take into account: Jury duty, a co-workers sudden death of a family member, a LOA due to illness, a resignation; or myriad other problems that occur with your co-workers that neccessitates a shift in plans for EVERYONE.

You really can't take into account the sudden death of a family member, and I don't see how you could schedule for it. Same with the rest of the examples you gave. There is no reason that employees can't have a set schedule - but they would be expected to adjust said schedule in the event of the above situations. That's realistic. You could have a set schedule that alternates biweekly - Wed, Thurs, Fri one week, Sun, Mon, Tues the next. Why would that be so uncalled for? We really don't do a great job of taking care of ourselves, (or each other), in the nursing field...

[GM2RN]

You really can't take into account the sudden death of a family member, and I don't see how you could schedule for it. Same with the rest of the examples you gave. There is no reason that employees can't have a set schedule - but they would be expected to adjust said schedule in the event of the above situations. That's realistic. You could have a set schedule that alternates biweekly - Wed, Thurs, Fri one week, Sun, Mon, Tues the next. Why would that be so uncalled for? We really don't do a great job of taking care of ourselves, (or each other), in the nursing field...

I think that the fact that you can't take these things into account was the point of the post you quoted. Thus, schedules would need to change at times.

It is definitely possible to have set schedules, understanding that they would need to change to cover openings in the event of those things already mentioned. The problem with them is that you will NEVER make everyone happy with the schedule that they get.

There is just no way to make a schedule that gives everyone even close to what they want, unless maybe you have a really small department and everyone can work it out among themselves.

I have worked where there was self-scheduling and set schedules, and both have had problems with some people really liking their schedules and others really resentful that they don't have the schedule that they want.