But I have little kids!

BarbPick · Oct 18, 2003

I am working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the requirement is an eve and a day of a holiday, I am working 7P's to 7a's. Can't see having to work Christmas Eve, just to sleep all day Christmas. Sigh.....I am getting it all over with.

ratchit · Oct 18, 2003

Originally posted by agent
Yes, while you can expect to work some holidays, my point (if any of you arrogant childless people can understand) is exactly what others have said.

These holidays are most special/important to children. They will not understand if there mommy isnt there on xmas morning. You adults should understand this and grow up.

I have yet to hear a valid argument that would convince me. You almost insist that a requirement to be a nurse should be that you have no children.

Do children in a family not generally make the adult more responsible, patient, caring, and understanding?

Don't tell me you get that from your dog.. please!!

Agent, I don't usually get pissy on this board, but you're the one coming across as being arrogant.

We all choose to work in nursing. We all have a job description that states what we can be made to do as far as shifts, weekends, and holidays. If you take the job, you are promising to meet those standards.

If you choose to have children, then how you manage your time and how you explain things to your kids is YOUR problem. NOT mine. I should not have to work one more off shift, weekend shift, or holiday shift than is required of me because someone wants to get special treatment.

I have also done all sorts of favors for parents- and had very few of them returned. I have nothing against parents- I want to have a baby soon and admire how working parents juggle things.

But I expect people who make a promise to their employer and their coworkers to meet their commitments and not make their share of the holidays my problem.

IMHO that is a very adult position. Expecting the world to give you special treatment because it's more convenient for you is pretty childish.

KailuaNurse · Oct 18, 2003

For me I don't have kids, and I am single (I am also 24). I am also living in a state that I don't have any family in (I am from Hawaii, living in Seattle). For the past two years I haven't been able to go home for Christmas (or any holiday for that matter) do to scheduled working. This year I finally get Christmas Eve and Day off. Guess what, I am working the day before Christmas Eve and the Day after Christmas. Good luck finding someone who will work for me. So I don't get to go home for Christmas again.

agent · Oct 18, 2003

Obviously I will not be able to make my point to any of you, so I won't even bother.

Carry on like you all are the most important people in the world.

"You will come to know yourself by how you lose yourself to others..."

jadednurse · Oct 18, 2003

It's not what you're saying, it's how your saying it agent. Please accept a bit of constructive criticism...the point often gets lost when one starts name-calling and insulting.

KailuaNurse · Oct 18, 2003

The point is everyone, no matter if that have kids or not, would like to be home with their family. I am more than willing to work holidays for people who have children, but after awhile that gets old and I would like to have that holiday off. Like people have said, Nursing is a 24/7 job. Most people going into the job knew that they would be working some holidays. The key is to be flexible with your holiday and celebrate it either earlier or later if you have to work. My father would occationally not be home for Christmas due to being an airline pilot low in senority. My brothers and I learned to deal with not opening presents early in the morning.

Also just because one does not have children, it does not mean they wouldn't have family they would love to spend the holiday with. Everyone needs to learn how to take turns.

By the way in all honesty, since I will not be able to go home for Christmas, I'll probably pick it up for someone.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2003

Originally posted by agent
Obviously I will not be able to make my point to any of you, so I won't even bother.

Carry on like you all are the most important people in the world.

Thank you - I am the most important person in the world.

And as an important person, I did without my father for 22 monthes straight when he was fighting the Vietnam "police action". He could not attend my graduation from high school due to work as a law officer. And he died before he could attend my pinning.

And you know what, the US military/police organization didn't think twice about depriving me repeatedly of my father's company.

Holidays off by a day or two. Big deal.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2003

Originally posted by peggysue
How would you suggest explaining to the REAL little children why they don't have presents to unwrap on Christmas morning that Santa left during the night while they were asleep? Or did he not leave any for them because they had to celebrate "Christmas morning" the day before or the day after?
I thought nurses were pretty compassionate people, but now after reading some of these responses, many of you don't sound like anyone I would want taking care of my family. But who knows, maybe you will change when you grow up.

Please see above.....and grow up yourself!!!!!!!!!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2003

Originally posted by agent
Do children in a family not generally make the adult more responsible, patient, caring, and understanding.

Actually, No, it generally doesn't mean anything except that they had functioning ovaries/testes and that they have had the chance to have sex with someone.

nurseygrrl, LPN · Oct 18, 2003

2mg of Valium with a SoCo chaser for all...

EastCoast · Oct 19, 2003

...nothing to do with christmas but still an interesting parable.

Tonite getting ready for the start of another weekend shift and i'm about to leave and my son asks me a quesiton about a sleep over with a friend. He has asked me the same quesiton several times. This time i tell him no and yes, admittedly you could hear (despite no raised voice) my short patience that actually had more to do with the fact that i didn't want to have to go to work and leave my 14 daughter to watch my son until my mom arrived. I apologized, gave hugs, and left.

Called from my car several minutes later. My son was crying (this is a very low key laid back kid) and my daughter said he was still upset. God how i wanted to turn around and drive back home. Instead, I spoke to him, spoke with my daughter and asked that my daughter comfort him and by the time i arrived to work they were both comfortable and happy and waiting for grammie.

The moral....every minute with someone you love is important. But you can't always be there. What's important is to surround those you love with people who love them to make the absences easier. Morning will be here in 11 hours and i'll be home again. Life will go on despite the fact i 'missed' an important moment in my kids life.

Lastly, let me say that the person i was relieving lost his only child in an accident several years ago. All of us in the group realize that holidays are still important (if not more so) for him so that he can be with his wife. As much as I hate the thought of covering holidays I still hate the thought of his wife alone with memories more.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 19, 2003

Originally posted by agent
Obviously I will not be able to make my point to any of you, so I won't even bother.

Carry on like you all are the most important people in the world.

"You will come to know yourself by how you lose yourself to others..."

You've tried to make your point. You've failed. You obviously believe that SOME nurses are entitled to special treatment. Others of us believe that they are not. What I'm saying -- and evidently I'm not alone -- is that none of us are the most important person in the world -- we all need to take our turn and be fair. I'm sorry you don't get that.