can you take a vacation?

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Apr 7, 2014

I am not sure if this applies to working for an agency (can you request time off with an agency??) but if you are working as an independent private nurse how do you ever plan a vacation? One case I work on has plenty of back up nurses and one nurse acts as the scheduler and you can actually request days off. The other case I am on however, doesn't have as many nurses, most of them I never met since I only work one day a week. People aren't that willing or able to pick up shifts. In situations like this, is it possible to EVER take a vacation? I work Fridays so that basically eliminates ever leaving town for a weekend. Or what do you do if you want to plan a major trip and need to get plane tickets. No one is going to pick up a shift that far in advance. What if a person works full time and needs a whole week off. That would never happen. Do you just resign yourself to the fact that you can't schedule a trip?? That just seems crazy. My patient has family that could take care of him...but he isn't really the accomodating, let me help you out kind of guy if you know what I mean. I can see him saying, "Find someone to cover your shifts if you want to have off." about 6 months before I started this job we planned a family vacation for labor day weekend this year. of course I didn't think to mention that before starting the job. Now I am thinking it will all have to be cancelled if no one wants to pick up. Any advice?[/quote']
If his family is capable of taking care of him & if you can't get coverage, they can do it. What would happen if you got sick & no one covered. There should be a list of acceptable adults that can pick up care if there is no nursing available.

eeffoc_emmig · Apr 7, 2014

Not to sound uncaring, but when I want to take time off, I don't think about shifts being covered. That is the agency's job to deal with. Give proper notice to allow them time to either cover it or not and go on your trip.

EDITED TO ADD: just clicked that you are an independent. Still...your patient is not your life...he/she is your job. The family will just have to deal with it.

caliotter3 · Apr 7, 2014

My clients never consult with me when they want to make changes that will affect my wages. Your only responsibility is to inform them in advance out of courtesy.

clearblue3 · Apr 7, 2014

Thanks for the advice! I should add that the family covers shifts that are not covered but they do live over an hour away. I know that it is a major pain for them, but like you said...this job isn't my whole life. It is funny how patients seem to think it is though :-) I just wasn't sure if I was correct in thinking that as an independent nurse I could ask for a day off or if I needed to find a replacement or I was out of luck. It will be interesting to hear his response when I tell him....:-) I know he will say you better start looking for someone to cover your shift! Lol

ventmommy · Apr 8, 2014

If they can cover the shift on a call-out, even from an hour away, then giving them ample notice of your availability should suffice and they can decide whether they want to spend the night before covering your shift or break up the shift among multiple family members or decide to offer your missed shift to another nurse.

Nurses can and should take vacation/personal days when they want or need.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Apr 9, 2014

I already told my patient's family about a planned vacation in June that will result in three days of missed shifts. If the agency can't get someone to cover my hours, the family makes do without nursing coverage.

Unless you have signed a contract stating that you and you alone are responsible for providing (or finding) coverage for every single Friday shift until the end of time, it's Not. Your. Problem. Plain and simple, you are not responsible for this patient's entire life.

As soon as you know you have a conflict in your schedule, let the patient and family know. I would put it in writing, just a note to say, "Just wanted to let you know, so you could make other arrangements, I will be unavailable to work on ." and then maybe a reminder a month in advance and then two weeks in advance.

That should be MORE than enough notice on your part. Then go off on your vacation with a clear conscience and enjoy yourself!

Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN · May 18, 2014

Agree with all of the above responses. Especially working for an agency, I understand that a primary nurse going away can disrupt the equilibrium of things. But, we are human!

And hey. I've worked on a ton of cases where the primary day nurse was from a foreign country and went home 1-2 times a year to visit. Since it was such a long plane ride, expensive, etc, they were gone for THREE WEEKS. Nightmare for the agency. At least you're not doing that!