How does your facility handle holidays??Looking for advice on a problem.

Luv2BAnurse · Dec 1, 2005

If you really don't want to work it, don't. Bear in mind that it may affect future raises, promotions, requests, etc. I would love to not have to work any holidays either, and if I ever get the opportunity for just such a position, I'd be hesitant to work also. Although it is a pain, it is only an 8 hour shift and you are employed by a 24/7 365 company. Maybe she will find an RN to work it. Maybe.

Bipley · Dec 2, 2005

I work doing paperwork mom-fri. I never work holidays unless I chose to pick them up. I work in a nursing home. The other day the DNS told me that unless she found an RN to work Christmas her and I would need to share it. Here's the catch-she is the RN and I'm an LPN. She says we'll share it because she is physically unable to do a med pass-so sharing it means I'll do the work while she sits all day. Sunday (Christmas this year) is not my normal scheduled day and my husband has a second job that he does evenings and weekends when I'm off so I can have the kids. There's nobody to watch them Xmas day for a 7-3 shift-they are older 12 and 14 but that's not the point. The DNS said bring the kids with me. Do I have a valid point being sunday is not my scheduled day? She told me I had to do it and I said no but she put us on the schedule anyway. Any advice?????Thanks

You are a nurse, do your fair share. A LTC facility is 24/7. Unless you were promised no holidays when you were hired, you have to do holidays like everyone else.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2005

I've worked in a number of nursing homes over the years. I saw this happen during holidays. The DON and the MDS nurse would often work so the regular staff got the day off. It only happened around Christmas or New Year. One Sunday the MDS nurse, who had just had a D&C, and I, having just had back surgery a month earlier, both supposed to be at home recuperating, shared a unit because the place was so short. I will do things like this to challenge myself, to see if it can be done. We were both moving r-e-a-l s-l-o-w. We laughed a lot. The med passes took longer than usual. We made sure the really important medications got given first. If we needed help with a treatment we enlisted the help of the CNAs. Actually, I think the CNAs were watching us both and expected to find one of us down and in need of help ourselves. It's surprising how tough you can be when needed. :chuckle I also think the CNAs got some kind of kick from this because there was some snickering going on regarding, "now they know how tough it is out here with the patients". There's a comraderie that goes on among the staff during holidays. The days are often slower because all the ancillary services are shut down. No showers are getting done on Sundays, usually. You'll probably get goodies brought in by families visiting the residents. I'd hit the DON up for a free lunch from dietary services. It'll probably be turkey. I don't know what your facility is like, but the last one I worked in there was a whole bunch of CNAs who called off on Christmas day making things even worse. That's when you adapt and prioritize. I suggest you do it. Do it to see if you can survive it. Do what the agency nurses do, just pass meds and do treatments. It's only for 8 hours, you'll feel rejuvinated as a nurse again and it might help you with all that paperwork you've been doing since you'll get a chance to assess some of these residents in their environment. Otherwise, not to sound harsh as I am often accused of, but if you don't do this you might as well start looking for another job. :icon_neut

flashpoint · Dec 2, 2005

If you are normally scheduled for Monday - Friday, it seems to me that working a weekend should be your choice. It sounds like you are not usually in a clinical position on the floor, so I would have concerns about not knowing the restidents or the routine well enough to just be thrown in on a whim. Sure, agency nurses do it, but you are not an agency nurse...seems pretty unfair to put you in that position.

FroggysMom · Dec 2, 2005

I work doing paperwork mom-fri. I never work holidays unless I chose to pick them up. I work in a nursing home. The other day the DNS told me that unless she found an RN to work Christmas her and I would need to share it. Here's the catch-she is the RN and I'm an LPN. She says we'll share it because she is physically unable to do a med pass-so sharing it means I'll do the work while she sits all day. Sunday (Christmas this year) is not my normal scheduled day and my husband has a second job that he does evenings and weekends when I'm off so I can have the kids. There's nobody to watch them Xmas day for a 7-3 shift-they are older 12 and 14 but that's not the point. The DNS said bring the kids with me. Do I have a valid point being sunday is not my scheduled day? She told me I had to do it and I said no but she put us on the schedule anyway. Any advice?????Thanks

Don't worry about it. Just pull your shift and try to have some fun doing it. Just think, the residents in your facility would rather be home at Christmas too but they can't. Bring them some Christmas cheer and get your kids involved too! They can get busy now to make cheery ornaments for each resident's room. They can visit with the residents while you are busy with the meds. Maybe they will learn some things as well!

I know this probably sounds like a lemons to lemonade talk, but unfortunately our profession is not a Mon-Fri, 9 to 5 proposition. So put on a big smile and your best Christmas cheer! The day may turn out to be not as bad as you think! :Santa1: And MERRY CHRISTMAS from someone who is also working that holiday!

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2005

Why can't they find anyone? I'm guessing you don't have agency staff. I would be totally PO'd about having to work 1 because Its a normal weekend off, 2. about bringing my kids to work 3. because the DON makes it sounld like she will be helping 4. Do you even get a holiday pay?

If worst comes to worst, and they definatly needa nurse, can you pick a shift? For me, the part I really don't like is having to drag my kids in to work with me and keep an eye on them for 8 hrs. ( I go to work to get away from my kids )

babynurselsa, RN · Dec 2, 2005

Many facilities require changes in schedule to accomadate holidays. I would almost bet that if you look in teh HR manual there is something in there to cover that.

Would it be an unbearable hardship for you? Would it possibly be a good experience for your children to spend some time with people who may not have ANY of their own grandchildren and great-grandchildren visiting them on this day?

Do what you feel you need to. Only you can make this decision.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2005

Our LTC doesn't have extensive HR manuals. At least non that are shared with the staff. Another option....could you try spitting the shift like into 4 h rs?

lee22 · Dec 12, 2005

In most hospitals I've worked one must work every other Xmas and every other new years. This year I have Xmas off and New Years on and next year it will be the opposite. Fair is fair. Nursing is weekends, holidays and crap hours. Get used to it

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

In most hospitals I've worked one must work every other Xmas and every other new years. This year I have Xmas off and New Years on and next year it will be the opposite. Fair is fair. Nursing is weekends, holidays and crap hours. Get used to it

Ditto. It's unfortunate, but unavoidable in most cases. It might actually turn out to be a very rewarding experience both for your children and for the residents.

Sapphy, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

In my facility we have to work 2 out of 3 of the winter holidays. We were allowed to choose our holiday off though. The catch is the holidays fall on weekends this year. Everyone on the weekend program got Thanksgiving off but they still have to work their 12 on Christmas and New Years. They didn't get the choice. But fair is fair...if you never work holidays will this one holiday really be so bad?