holidays... sick call...

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2016

I went home halfway through a shift on New Year's because I could barely stand up...literally dragging my feet into my house. Once I had a GI thing, ended up recovering the day before Christmas Eve; I would have HAD TO call in if that illness had occurred on Christmas Eve.

Nothing happened with the New Year's shift, because I was obviously sick. I'm not a good enough actress to fake pallor and a fever. And anyway, I'm not a liar and my unit knows it.

I would feel terrible for calling in sick if I wasn't actually sick though. Everyone has to work them if we work in a 24/7/365 position. You had last Christmas off...maybe the ones who did have to work last Christmas want to be off this year?

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Oct 13, 2016

The Nursing profession is altruistic in nature. :) If you are not willing to make sacrifices, perhaps this is not the right career for you.

The reason they did not schedule you last year is because you were a new nurse. Seniority has nothing to do with it; otherwise, the same person would get holidays off every year. It is management's job to ensure the team is balanced with new and experienced nurses; particularly if "the turnover rate is high". Nursing is not an office job. People's lives depend of our services. Somebody has to be present.

You might be tired or frustrated with your unit, that's ok, then look for another job... but to say that "it doesn't bother me if i am terminated" will only count against you... forever. :down: It will follow you everywhere you apply for a new job and you will have to explain yourself. Good luck spinning the answer in a good light. :eek: Getting fired is never a good indicator of someone's performance, reliability, and trustworthiness. :no:

Be smart and good luck! :headphone:

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Oct 13, 2016

The repercussions for a holiday call off is specific to the institution. In any one of the many facilities I worked in, I would just lose the holiday pay.

It SHOULD "bother" you if you would be terminated. A termination would be a black mark on your record, that will haunt you for years.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2016

i have already went through the channels and my Christmas vacation request was rejected. oddly enough, i wanted to work Christmas last year, but they denied me.
the turnover rate is high i am #5 on the seniority list with only 1 year of experience. so you have an idea of the environment i am in. not sure why i was denied, either. i don't plan on working at this facility in the near future so it doesn't bother me if i am terminated.
anyway, anybody ever call in on a major holiday like thanksgiving, christmas, new years, etc.. ? did they reprimand you? what happened?

Everywhere I have worked in nursing specifically does not allow vacation time over the holidays. It stinks, but that is how it goes. I'm not saying that is the case everywhere, but it is not unusual.

My hospital does the points system for tardy and call offs. I think it's a half point for a tardy, full point for call off. It is even more points for a call off your shift before or after the holiday and for the holiday itself. In addition, there are increased points for calling off on a day you requested off and said request was denied. FWIW, I'm not saying I agree with all these policies, just that they are the policies.

Finally, do not "volunteer" to be terminated. It will follow you around for a very long time. My advice: work your holiday(s) and, in the mean time, look for a new job if you want to move on.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Oct 13, 2016

The places where I have worked tend to alternate holidays. So, it looks to me like this is your year to work. You may have to adjust your Christmas plans to accommodate this each year.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 13, 2016

You will be fired, reported to he BON and have your license removed

No wait just all your coworkers will hate you. But like you said, you are leaving anyways so who cares.

imsickagain · Oct 14, 2016

The repercussions for a holiday call off is specific to the institution. In any one of the many facilities I worked in, I would just lose the holiday pay.
It SHOULD "bother" you if you would be terminated. A termination would be a black mark on your record, that will haunt you for years.

i'll speak with my union rep. when i get back in there. the only thing i read about being reprimanded was consecutive call offs, not specific to holidays. thanks.

bagladyrn, RN · Oct 14, 2016

And it's people who pull things like the OP is planning that cause employers to institute punitive absence policies for everyone.

RNKPCE · Oct 14, 2016

i'll speak with my union rep. when i get back in there. the only thing i read about being reprimanded was consecutive call offs, not specific to holidays. thanks.

I'd be embarrassed to even ask. I feel bad for nurses who really are sick on holidays and have to call out. In the future don't make any holiday plans until you receive the holiday schedule.

Libby1987 · Oct 14, 2016

I'm imagining a fire fighter feigning illness on Christmas after having it off last year, and one of his buddies having to cancel Christmas plans to cover him.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 14, 2016

Many places WILL reprimand you for calling out on a holiday or weekend, especially after a request for that time off has been denied. I know where I work, this will happen. I am sorry this is happening to you.

i have already went through the channels and my Christmas vacation request was rejected. oddly enough, i wanted to work Christmas last year, but they denied me.
the turnover rate is high i am #5 on the seniority list with only 1 year of experience. so you have an idea of the environment i am in. not sure why i was denied, either. i don't plan on working at this facility in the near future so it doesn't bother me if i am terminated.
anyway, anybody ever call in on a major holiday like thanksgiving, christmas, new years, etc.. ? did they reprimand you? what happened?