need an ear

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i just received a phone call from my work place...it appears that this person who has been out on sick leave for about a month or so now(had shoulder surgery)still wont be back...she was suppose to come back the 17...(dec)...anyway...they are looking for coverage for christmas eve and christmas night.....i said no.....they are my regular days off and i planned on them being off....i felt vey lucky that the holidays did fall on my days off.....esp after being new....only been there since august.....anyway...the head nurse called,i said no and she sounded mad.....now i am only part time,it is all i want.....i do sign up for some extra hours when i feel like it and when i am able......does this make me selfish? cause right now i feel it.....i have been doing what you all have suggested...not to answer the phpne when work calls,i should of never called back today.....she called yesterday and left a message saying they had some 3-11 shifts come available call to see if any of them interest you...well i did....and they didnt.....it is just my PMS making me feel this way.....but i just wanted an ear........:argue:

thanks for listening...

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:dncgbby:You shouldn't feel bad it is okay to have a life outside of your job as with everything in life you need a healthy balance. Maybe on these days your family comes first or you just want a chance to relax and enjoy your days off.

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

Don't feel bad. You can only do what you can do. I get lots of calls from people asking me to work for them and get lots of attitude when I say no. Tough. We have lives and you will work plenty of Christmasses. Enjoy!

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i am a supervisor in a different field and i can understand your bosses frustrations, but i can also see your point of view. i would not feel bad...enjoy your holidays off cause it does not happen often... flush your phone down the toilet as a matter of fact!:clown:

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You have a right to say "no" and should be free to exercise that right.

On the other hand ... if you want to be seen in a positive light by your manager and by your colleagues at work ... you might want to take another look at those available shifts and choose ONE that could work for you. By choosing one shift, you demonstrate that you are willing to help out in a difficult situation without making too much of a sacrifice. It's a compromise that may benefit you in the long run.

Sometimes it helps in the long run to compromise a bit when you are in position to control WHICH SHIFT you volunteer for. By offering to "give" a little, you enhance your reputation without signing your life away. It's a political move that usually pays off as long as you don't get sucked into doing it on a regular basis.

There is a huge difference between chronic understaffing and helping to cover for the temporary illness/injury of colleague that could not have been predicted. It's important to learn to say "no" if the problem is chronic. But it is also important to help your colleagues if it is not.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

Don't feel bad. Your workplace is obviously trying to make you feel guilty enough to pick up the shifts. You already had plans for those days that you can't change. It seems like enough should be said in that case. I might say to them that you had already set plans but you would be willing to pick up some other days for that nurse if needed (if you can that is). I'm pretty sure most of those manager types who are pressuring you to work are going to be off on those days and home with their families.

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oh i do sign up for extra hours and go in when needed..........i have signed up for hours for this nurse who will be out for another 2 weeks........the nurse supervisor knows i only want part time hour,but i am still willing to help out when needed.......this super works the 3-11 shift,found out today that she has put herself down for 1-9 on xmas day and tryingn to fill in for her.....now thurs are her regular days to work...(which xmas falls on)IF it were my regular day....i would be there...no questions asked....but it isnt.......i was fortunate enough it isnt....YEAH ME>>>>.........

so i will take all your advice and not feel guilty.....

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

You should chase that guilt right out of your mind this very instant! Enjoy it this year, they'll probably make sure that doesn't happen again. Never feel guilty about scheduling, eventually the tables do turn and you'll have a time when your schedule stinks. Have a wonderful holiday.:santa:

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