AZRN2112

I don't know why everyone is so worried I'm trying to get something extra or get out of something. We are required to work two weekend shifts a month; we have a dedicated weekend crew. I have put in (our self-scheduling) to work every Wed Thurs and Fri. That's four weekend shifts a month. That way I'm covering what is required of me and working the same shifts. So, I'm not trying to get out of anything, I'm actually volunteering to work two extra weekend shifts per month. It's not hurting anyone, would help our department, help me stay healthy and hopefully allow me to stay in a position where I'm really happy and doing well. What is so terrible? I just asked a simple question wanting some input as to whether this would be a bad idea, if basically management would feel resentful or something towards me. I've never used ADA in my life and don't know anything about it and have no clue how it would be recieved in the real world. I thought maybe someone here might have had some experience with it. I don't understand why I'm getting all the negative comments and everyone is reading all this other BS into my question. I'm not personally to blame for people taking advantage of the system etc. I'm just trying to figure out how to solve my problem. Thanks again for the positve comments and ideas.

Thanks for all the positive feedback. All the negative feedback just shows why people with mental illness choose to keep things in the dark. I was told when I took the position it was "self-scheduling". I came from another department with self-scheduling and they pretty much gave us what we asked for. I'm not asking for weekends or holidays off. I never said that in my post. I'm not asking any co-workers to "pick up my slack." Why would it affect them at all if I worked the same three days in a row every week? When I developed this illness about three years ago I was devastated; all I thought was "oh my God, am I going to be able to be a nurse? Am I going to be able to work?" I was reassured that as long as I take my meds, watch my stress, know my triggers, chances are good that I will be able to lead a normal functioning life. My thoughts are that the way things are going I may need to find a job that is more M-F 9-5, such as an outpatient clinic (Dr. office, outpatient endo, something along those lines.) Anyhow, all the judgemental and hurtful comments have actually helped confirm that having a mental illness is still something to be ashamed of and I better not say anything.

I wasn't going to ask for Sundays off as an ADA accomodation, I was just using that as an example of how my managment is, that I was rarely scheduled on Sundays until I asked them to try to avoid it if possible. I was just asking for some insight as to how people would react to an ADA accomodation. Guess I got my answer.

I have Bipolar I and work NOC. No problems there, I have adjusted well and am slepping during the day without problems. However, our shifts are very erratic. It's maybe one day on, two days off then two days on, two days off, three days on, one day off, one day on, four days off, two days on, etc. I seem to always be recovering from working or preparing for working. I'd also like to join a support group but never know when I'm working. I've asked my supervisor who makes the schedule what three days, any three days, she can pick them, I could work every week, so I can have the same schedule. She never got back to me and in report there was an announcement that there is "no set schedule and the needs of the department come first." I also asked specifically not to work on Sundays if at all possible, as it's my son's only day off and our family day. Guess what? I work almost every Sunday now. I love my unit (except management) and get along great with my co-workers. My unit is one of the lowest-stress in the hospital. My therapist has told me that I should ask for a set schedule; it would be very beneficial as far as my illness and getting more stable. I have had two manic episodes recently, assumedly due to stress. I am on intermitent FMLA for my bipolar, have been hospitalized twice in the past three years and desperately want to stay out of the hospital forever. Nobody knows of my diagnosis and I don't want them to know. I know I have rights under the ADA but am scared that if I ask for this and if management is forced to give it to me, they will undermine me and find a way to get rid of me. I know the way things are supposed to work and the way things can bite you in the butt. I also think that nobody wants to get in trouble with an ADA violation so I'm really torn. I'm a new nurse with little experience (8 months) and if I lose this job, I don't know if I can find another. I'm a strong nurse, am on a committee, have never had any type of disiplinary problems and recently got a merit raise. Thanks for any input.