How often do you take a vacation?

ShaunES · Oct 15, 2010

I get six weeks a year of paid leave, or 12 at half pay, enough time to relax, dont have to use it all at once, or at all (so can have massive holidays every few years etc), it's nice.

DizzyLizzyNurse · Oct 15, 2010

I'm taking 9 days (3 weeks) of PTO in January to study abroad in Costa Rica as an elective + Spanish language for my Master's degree. I didn't take off any time over the summer and I've really just been getting 3, 4, 5 days off in a row with smart scheduling. :)

I'll be in Costa Rica for 11 days in January as well. Maybe we'll run into each other without knowing it haha. It's my gift to myself for finishing RN school.

I've been at my place 9 years in January. I get 3 weeks vacation and then holiday time based on how many hours I work. So I used to really rack up holiday time when I'd pick up extra shifts all the time. I also get 14 sick days.

I'm young (28), no kids, not married, don't have much debt (some school loans and my car). If I don't do it now, when? As someone else said, after working in health care, I know my older years aren't guaranteed nor is my health.

This whole summer I've been taking mini vacations. I have friends in different parts of the country so I visited them. It was cheaper because I stayed with them.

JRD2002 · Oct 15, 2010

I get six weeks a year of paid leave, or 12 at half pay, enough time to relax, dont have to use it all at once, or at all (so can have massive holidays every few years etc), it's nice.

This should be on a recruitment flyer for your hospital...I'm packing my bags right now!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

When I lived in the UK I got 8 weeks and 2 days vacation time and I did not appreciate it! Until now when my vacation and sick time is combined.

Now in real time I had a 2 week vacation last year to visit relatives and a 1 week vacation this year where I stayed at home. Gone are the days of 8 weeks vacation no matter what!

Marisaej · Oct 15, 2010

I am lucky enough to be in the position of having 21 day's vacation leave plus 12 day's public holiday's each year. After 10 years service in my current position another 5 day's was added!! Bonus! You may be expected to do after hours call on public holiday's, but these are usually devided equally amongst the team. I try to schedule my leave in 2 week increments every 4-6 mnths to try and reduce the amount of burnout that is so common in OT.

sunnycalifRN · Oct 15, 2010

*clip* visiting both mothers uses up most of my "vacation" time. it's sad!

ruby,

i can relate to your situation. both my parents have early alzheimer's and we have a caregiver with them. but, i'm up there at least weekly to deal with "situations" . . . last week, dear ol' dad tried to flush a depends and then slipped and fell in the resultant flood. fortunately, only bruises. you still need to get away on a "real" vacation.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Oct 15, 2010

I haven't had a real "vacation" since my honeymoon 5 years ago, but I take a long weekend every few months.

OttawaRPN · Oct 15, 2010

The place I *might* become employed at gives 3 weeks. I plan to make my vacations around my weekends off.... use 3 days for W-F with S-S off to extend my vacations! Doing that I can get in 5, 5 day vacations a year!

Many union contracts only allow you to take one week as individual days, with the remaining weeks taken in one week blocks only (Monday - Sunday) precisely to deter this kind of scheduling which causes massive staffing problems. If your facility allows this, consider yourself fortunate.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

At least 4 weeks a year; California in April, Florida in August, on my way to San Antonio today:D! Beach on the weekends I don't work and so on and so forth. Mini trips to NYC, and local attractions.

Had my years where I couldn't afford it and did day trips. There is no cost to enjoy God's beautiful country....so for those who say no vacation. Everyone has time for a trip to the beach, lake, country or even to take a drive and have a picnic and just relax.

You all deserve it, nursing is hard work!

Maisy

Up2nogood RN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

I get close to 5 weeks a year and took off 2 weeks in August and either request or use PTO so I get a 10 day stretch off every 4-6 weeks. I'd go nuts any other way.

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

What's a vacation??

Awww... I'm sure you'll find out in your new job...:hug:

When I lived in the UK I got 8 weeks and 2 days vacation time and I did not appreciate it! Until now when my vacation and sick time is combined.
Now in real time I had a 2 week vacation last year to visit relatives and a 1 week vacation this year where I stayed at home. Gone are the days of 8 weeks vacation no matter what!

8 WEEKS! (Jealous!!!) What possessed you to leave??? Not living up to your name are you? Heh-heh

My leave is calculated on hours, and with my long service I'm at the maximum, 300 hours. With a 42 hour week, it's just over 7 weeks, but public holidays are taken off that total. Still means I get to take a minimum of 1 month a year to really kick back and relax, as well as having extra leave for the occasional dire necessity.

We also get 3-5 days compassionate or "family responsibility" leave (which I hardly ever get to take, thank goodness and touch wood!), and 12 days sick leave per year, which accumulates up to 36 days over a 3 year period.

I can't see how anyone in the nursing profession can function with less than 5 weeks a year, the work is just too strenuous and stressful.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 16, 2010

ruby,
i can relate to your situation. both my parents have early alzheimer's and we have a caregiver with them. but, i'm up there at least weekly to deal with "situations" . . . last week, dear ol' dad tried to flush a depends and then slipped and fell in the resultant flood. fortunately, only bruises. you still need to get away on a "real" vacation.

in some ways i have it easier than you -- i'm farther away from both mothers, so i don't get called for the day-to-day disasters such as your dad's flood. but sometimes i wish i were close enough to just run up and straighten something out. it's got to be really difficult to have both of your parents with alzheimer's at the same time. i cannot even imagine!