I'm a LPN with right at 18 years experience and am employed in an Alzheimer's Assisted Living home as head nurse 6:30am-3:00pm. We have two nurses on day shift during the week, two on evenings most of the time and one on night. On the weekends there is one nurse per shift, but it's not so bad as we only have 36 residents and the med. passes are easy enough.
We all work at least one full weekend per month, or a full weekend every first and last weekend if that makes sense. Lately I have become somewhat depressed when I know it's my weekend to work. My kids are grown but my husband is home every weekend, although we don't do much of anything except relax.
When we work weekends we get the Friday before off and the Tuesday after. I currently work 36 hours per week so instead of four days off per pay period, I get five, but it seems like I never get two days off in a row, except on my weekends off.
Also, I have been in the head nurse position for just under five months, and it's looking like I will be stuck working holidays since the other two nurses on days have much more seniority. Everyone keeps telling me "You're head nurse. You shouldn't have to work all the holidays" but I want to be fair you know? The head nurse before me worked Mon-Fri. which left the others having to work more weekends, so I feel it's only fair I work weekends too.
Pros of my job:
-6:30am-3:00pm so I have plenty of time after work to still do "stuff."
-22 paid days off per year
-Retirement
-Medical, dental, vision insurance
-On call only every three months or so
-GREAT pay if called in on call days
-Frequent employee appreciation activities
-Fair work/life balance
-Direct supervisor is off on weekends
Cons:
-I have Fibromyalgia, back problems and neuropathy and I'm in pain and tired
-I feel like I'm stuck in a rut
-That one day off during the week goes by fast because there is always something that demands my time
-My direct supervisor is very lazy and puts every bit of work she can off on me during the week. She's rarely involved with resident care but still criticizes the nurses on their performance when we're doing the best we can
I work 3p-11p, every other weekend and every other holiday (although I seem to always end up working the same ones!).
I don't mind working the weekends, I don't love it, but I don't mind it.
As for holidays, workig 3p-11p I have the opportunity to be home Christmas morning and see my children open their gifts. If my family knows I'm working that day, they schedule Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner for around 1 so that I can at least enjoy the meal.
When was the last time you took a vacation? I mean a real vacation like involving international travel. For at least 2 weeks.[/quote']
Or even just a road trip across the USA, doesn't have to involve anything huge. But having stuff to look forward to and then memories to look back on helps morale a lot.
Eta - talking working long stretches...someone asked me to work an extra day and I was like "that's five whole days in a row!"
Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.
Marisette, I honestly do not think the others would work it out for me to have every weekend off. When the previous head nurse worked Mon-Fri. they resented her because they felt she was getting special treatment. I understand she walked around with a cup of coffee in her hand all day barking orders and smoking outside with the Director. She also would not pass meds. I do pass meds. and am very hands on. It's very busy during the week and I don't think it's fair for one nurse to have to pass all the meds. when I'm there too and very capable.
I get to work a few of those five day stretches and they are tiring. More often than not, I work four days with one day off. That's very tiring as well.
I won't martyr myself just so the other nurses will like me. They will like me because I am pleasant and friendly and when I'm at work, I give my best. But I do make my boundaries clear and keep them intact.
Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.
Honestly? Looking at your Pro list and your Con list, and the relatively easy flow of the small unit, I think there are any number of nurses who would KILL for your job.
That's what they said in The Devil Wears Prada "Any girl would KILL for this job."
Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.
I won't martyr myself just so the other nurses will like me. They will like me because I am pleasant and friendly and when I'm at work, I give my best. But I do make my boundaries clear and keep them intact.
I recently discovered how hugely important boundaries are! I have to give myself the "don't be a doormat" pep talk every day otherwise it is true, people will walk alllll over you.
Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.
I won't martyr myself just so the other nurses will like me. They will like me because I am pleasant and friendly and when I'm at work, I give my best. But I do make my boundaries clear and keep them intact.
The RN Supervisor in the LTC home basically told me the same thing. She simply stated "You're head nurse. You call the shots." I made the comment to the part-time nurse that I wanted to take Labor Day off with my husband and go to a cookout at my parents. She told me right quick she is taking Labor Day off. I can imagine what Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be like. I don't think she's had to work those two holidays in the last three years.
Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.
I recently discovered how hugely important boundaries are! I have to give myself the "don't be a doormat" pep talk every day otherwise it is true, people will walk alllll over you.
I'm going to have to do this myself. I feel like a doormat these days.
Sorry to hear this LTCNS. I thought weekends off was one of the perks of being charge RN, and that your employer would accommodate this. Surely, there must be some perks for being charge. I understand five day stretches can be tiring, but is it possible that your are the charge nurse and more? I won't go into details. But years ago, I worked in a situation where I gave 150%. I was filling in for others and my employer grew to expect this. I had few days off, no vacations and one day I could no longer keep up. My employer brought this to my attention. I no longer wanted to give 150%, my vacations, and my peace of mind and I left. My employer suffered the consequences of my departure several months. But, they hired another charge nurse and two more nurses to staff the unit and the work is getting done. My coworkers missed me a little for awhile, but they went on, perhaps working a little harder, but they survived. I just don't think it's a good idea to go beyond expectations, IF it effects your physical or emotional state. I'm not sure why you feel so tired, but it sounds like it may be more than the physical demands of your job. Think about this awhile. Sometimes it's not so clear. I know it was not clear for me and at that point, I just ran hoping anything would be better than my difficult situation. If I had to do things differently, I would not have made it so easy for my employer or my coworkers. I would insist on days off and vacations and all the perks that go with the job. In the end, I was so tired, I hurt myself more than anyone. I hope this is not your situation.
Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.
I wrote a big reply and then it got erased apparently. Anyway...
I don't think anyone likes working weekend holidays. I'm sure there will be some contrarian who will tell you that any GOOD nurse worth her salt LIVES to work weekends and holidays. The paycheck is nice, sure.
I think you need to work out a system for alternating weekends and holidays. Don't feel like you have to shoulder more responsibility because you're head nurse. It's okay to say no. People WILL take advantage of you, over and over and over, and it breeds resentment.
The RN Supervisor in the LTC home basically told me the same thing. She simply stated "You're head nurse. You call the shots." I made the comment to the part-time nurse that I wanted to take Labor Day off with my husband and go to a cookout at my parents. She told me right quick she is taking Labor Day off. I can imagine what Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be like. I don't think she's had to work those two holidays in the last three years.
You guys don't plan out the holiday schedules ahead of time? Who's in charge of the schedule?
"Any girl would KILL for this job."
CT Pixie, BSN, RN
3,723 Posts
I work 3p-11p, every other weekend and every other holiday (although I seem to always end up working the same ones!).
I don't mind working the weekends, I don't love it, but I don't mind it.
As for holidays, workig 3p-11p I have the opportunity to be home Christmas morning and see my children open their gifts. If my family knows I'm working that day, they schedule Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner for around 1 so that I can at least enjoy the meal.