Is it bad that I can't work holidays?

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So I kind of got a job as a CNA at a Nursing and Rehab facility, and I really like it. I'm excited to gain a nursing home experience since I'm used to working Assisted living/home health. Everyone there is so nice and the DON is also. Would it be unprofessional on my part if I can work holidays though? Unfortunately, my dorm closes during Thanksgiving/Christmas break and I live an hour and some minutes away.

Technically I won't be getting all holidays off if I'm working my CNA job back home during the holidays but sure, I see what you mean ������������������

The DON in your college town would not see it that way at all. She doesn't give a flip about staffing at your hometown facility; her job is to see that her facility is properly staffed and that holiday assignments are made in a fair and equitable manner.

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You know the DON personally?

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You know the DON personally?

Oh, COME ON. I would be willing to bet I've worked in hospitals and other facilities as a RN for FAR longer than you-enough to know how the system works and how most in management operate. Her job is to care about staffing her own facility, not about making things convenient for you.

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Mhm..

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

To the OP, I can understand that you're in a tough position because you're a student and are working two jobs (the one near your school campus primarily and the one back at home during the holidays). The challenge for you will be when you communicate this with your nurse manager/DON at the job located near your school campus. I would suggest that you talk with him/her right away and explain your situation, specifically about living 1 hr.+ away from the facility when you're not in school (I don't think it is wise to mention your other employer at this time).

I'm not sure about the details of your employment contract but unless you are a per-diem employee it is typically expected that you will work designated holidays like your coworkers. I have hired commuter nursing students as CNA/techs. in the past and I made sure this was communicated at the time of hiring or if they were per diem I worked out a deal so that they helped to cover other less desirable shifts for their peers before the holidays (nights, weekends etc.). Case in point, when I was a manager I once gave a nursing student tech. second shift Christmas Eve off (her assigned holiday) because she worked a Friday, Saturday, Sunday stretch of overnights in a previous week when I had no coverage at all. Did she like working the shifts? Probably not. However, she felt the arrangement was fair because nursing is a 24/7 field and she appreciated that because holidays are so important to people that to not have to work one that you were assigned is going to require a significant trade/sacrifice.

As other users have noted, the nurse manager/DON at your primary employer (near your college campus) is unlikely to be swayed by the staffing needs of another facility. Even the commute of ~1 hour may not phase them as this can be routine depending on what part of the country you live in (I commuite 1.25 hours each way for one of my jobs but it's worth it). Your best shot at this is to respectfully appeal to their generosity and offer to make up for it by working some off shifts while you're still in school. When you meet in person with your nurse manager/DON (not via e-mail) begin by (a) explaining your situation, (b) asking them politely if an alternative arrangement could be made, and © acknowledging their decision as final and thanking them for their time regardless of the outcome. Depending on their temperament, perception of you as an employee, institutional policies for scheduling, and how your staffing looks at the time they may decide to (a) make a counter offer, (b) politely deny the request and remind you of your employee holiday commitment, or © become agitated and deny your request by citing your employee holiday commitment.

Best of luck OP and let us know how it goes!

!Chris pompus.png

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Specializes in PCCN.

How many hours are they expecting you to work on your holiday?

I used to work with a traveler who lived 1.5+ hours away , but would group her hours together and either stay in a hotel or with friends.

Otherwise , I dont know. Im surprised they didnt bring that up in your interview. We always bring it up on interviews. Even perdiems have to work 2 or so holidays per year and 2 weekend days per month where Im at.

good luck

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The OP's manager may not expect her student worker to work holidays, she may already have the holidays covered. Or not. But unless the OP knows how to be in two places at once, she needs to bring this up pretty soon.

This is no longer a concern to me since I now work in facilities that are not open on nights, weekends of holidays. :)

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
The OP's manager may not expect her student worker to work holidays, she may already have the holidays covered. Or not. But unless the OP knows how to be in two places at once, she needs to bring this up pretty soon.

This is no longer a concern to me since I now work in facilities that are not open on nights, weekends of holidays. :)

Or the manager may have discussed it in the interview but the poster didn't know she "really meant it." Wish I had $5 for every new employee who wailed "But I didn't think she really meant it!" When confronted with the holiday schedule.

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.
You know the DON personally?

Seriously??

.

Regarding your original post, 1 hour and some minutes is not that long of a commute. In this field, it's a 24/7 operation. It isn't fair to expect this DON to let you off of working holidays especially when other employees who have been there longer have to pick up your slack.

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You're literally just rephrasing the same thing I've seen in the previous comments. I get it already jeez lol....moving on.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
You're literally just rephrasing the same thing I've seen in the previous comments. I get it already jeez lol....moving on.

I agree, lets all move on. OP seems to have lost interest in being receptive to any further input. Good luck with your holidays, OP!

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.
You're literally just rephrasing the same thing I've seen in the previous comments. I get it already jeez lol....moving on.

Well, you posted in a forum asking for feedback so I gave it to you. Your attitude tells me you aren't interested in honest feedback but just hearing what you want to hear.

Good luck.

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