Who else has to work Thanksgiving?

nursemike, ASN, RN · Nov 24, 2005

Off today--don't know how that happened. I will be working Christmas and New Years, but that's okay. The holiday pay is nice, and even when I'm off, I'm a pretty easy touch to pick up holidays for others. I figure the people with kids have more need to be off--as much as I would object if that were the official policy!

I worked in the hospital before and during nursing school, so my cats already believe Christmas comes on the 26th, some years.

Anyway, Happy Holidays to all.

ray2512 · Nov 24, 2005

Yes I'm working to hospice on call until Saturday at noon.

KatieBell · Nov 24, 2005

Oh yes, I am working. I can not recall a year I have not worked Thanksgiving- it is not a big holiday for my family. But this year, I think I am also working Christmas and New Years, because i forgot to put something into the contract:uhoh3: Somehow I think we will all survive- my family and me....

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 24, 2005

I was scheduled to work today, but I've been out all week due to this stupid cellulitis, and since I'm not supposed to stand for any length of time, long hours of cooking are a big no-no as well. So for the first time in over 20 years, we are not having Thanksgiving at our house........we've been invited to Micah's aunt's for dinner this year.

It feels so weird not to be home for Thanksgiving! Even in years that I worked the holiday, I always made dishes ahead of time, and my schedule was such that I could squeeze dinner in ahead of, or after, work hours. This year, however, working 11A-7P pretty much shoots the whole day, and the family refused to even have Thanksgiving without me so Micah got everyone invited to his aunt's (this was BEFORE I came down with the cellulitis). He's got a huge family---this one aunt alone has 8 kids---so it's bound to be noisy, but a lot of fun.:)

I was feeling kind of guilty about the timing of my infection; I'd asked for this week off about a month ago, and was denied because several other staff members had already done the same thing. Then I thought about how I've worked almost every holiday this year---Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, even Halloween (well, that's not an official holiday, but it is in my family!), and will probably get stuck working Christmas or New Year's as well---and I promptly stopped feeling bad. Besides, if the leg hadn't really started aching at work Monday, I'd have kept on going, not seen a doctor, and then I would've ended up at the hospital as a PATIENT.....it's still touch-and-go as to whether the antibiotics will kill the infection, and both my PCP and I think it could be MRSA.:uhoh21:

However, I am thankful today for all the blessings I've received this year, especially my precious baby grandson, Elijah. I'm thankful that I have a job (my husband doesn't right now), enough money to live on, a wonderful family, good friends, and a body that still works well enough to enable me to earn a living........MOST of the time, anyway!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, wherever you may be today.:)

outinbfe11 · Nov 24, 2005

I know how you feel about working holidays. Fortunately, the facility I work have a rotation that allows personnel to work one winter holiday (thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years) and then summer holidays, (Memorial, 4th of July and Labor day). Seems to work for all. Might want to suggest that to your department head. Try to have a happy one anyways.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2005

I think having too much time on your hands alone is what's getting you. Been there myself. Thanks for working today, because of dedicated perrsons like you I got the time off to be with my parents whom I haven't seen since last year at this time.

Adam D. RN2005 · Nov 25, 2005

Add me to the list. And I did my four hours of work with pride. There are somethings that are more important that eating turkey. And I consider the comitment that I made when I became a nurse one of those things.

I entered into the profession knowing that this was something that I would be doing.

Hey but I looking forward to working christmas! I'm jewish, and hey, working christmas, it is the jewish thing to do!! (I'm changing shifts with someone that has a family.)

Adam D., RN

MMARN, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2005

I am waiting to do a case in the OR. Little girl that has a broken elbow. As soon as we get done with her she should be able to go home today for Thanksgiving. Working the holidays is part of the game. There are lots of patients that spend many days at the hospital and many that have only the staff as their "family" for these occasions. Think of it as your little gift to them since they usually have no one at home to go to.Just think at the end of your shift you get to go to someone you care about. As the years go by and you get more seniority someplace, these holidays that you work will be far and few between. It will be nice to be able to choose which ones you want to work Have a nice holiday anyway. Mike

I gotta say that I agree with shodobe. I don't work in the hospital yet, but you do have a point. I work in a theme park that pretty much works its schedule the way hospitals do. I have to work Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, AND New Year's Eve day in order for me to get New Year's Day. They're lienient (sp?) but, it's still that way in order for us to get what we want.

When you're a nurse, I believe that you do become that patient's family. A nurse is the nurturer to those people and she/he becomes the loyal friends those particular patients who don't have anybody. I'm sorry for you, but it gets better. I promise. I've had to do it for a really long time. It gets better. :wink2:

Mave.

joyflnoyz, LPN · Nov 25, 2005

I worked 3-11. my facility is rehab/LTC/SNF.

Would ya believe we had an admission today? Uh, folks, pharmacy

doesn't deliver on Turkey day

I was up and 0645, plunked the turkey in the roaster, saw the first sunrise I've seen in a verrrrrry lonnnnnngggg time went back to bed for a couple of hours. Fixed the rest of the food sat down and ate my husband and kids, then went in to work.

I don't mind workng holidays..no administration people around causing CHAOS and problems; no PT OT Speech, no social work, DON ,ADON,

executive director. just all round MUCH calmer!

Actually punched out on time..went to Garden Ridge for some stuff and now I'm home :)

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2005

I like the idea of split shifts or eight hour shifts on holidays. When it's a twelve-hour the whole day's kind of shot. That's okay though, I expected it being the new nurse. The thing I don't like on my unit is if you work nights, you ALWAYS must work the night before or the night of the holiday. Doesn't quite seem fair to me cause neither group of people really gets the holiday off that way. But that's how it goes. Oh well, such is life as a hospital nurse I guess.

MamaTheNurse, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2005

I worked Thanksgiving this year - we got dumped with snow so it took me 1.25 hrs to drive 33 miles after work - but, you know what - it was worth it to make double time and a half, have Christmas off, get a big old plate of leftovers to eat in peace curled up on the couch in my jammies and not have to have suffered all day in my in-law's matchbox-sized house with my husband's nephew who is the most irritating child on this earth!!! :rotfl: :rotfl:

to the OP, sorry you also have to work Christmas and New Year's - that's a bit intense - I don't think anyone in my unit has a rotation that bad........yeah, I know nursing involves working holidays but come on, let's not scare away the new grads right away!!! :rotfl: :rotfl: