Should I feel bad?

Nurses Relations

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Vacations at my job are given based on a combination of seniority and first request.

I work full time and I'm in school so I only get a week off in May and a week off in August between semesters. One of those happens to be my coworker's/friend's birthday week so I waited for her to put in her request first and then chose it as my second choice. (Not that it's needed here, but her birthday week would be the only one I'd actually be able to go away on vacation for). Nothing has been approved yet, but she sent me a text asking why I picked her birthday week for my vacation and complaining. I do have seniority so if it came down it I'd get the vacation, but I think I did everything to help her without making my own life miserable. I feel like sometimes you just have to deal with not getting the schedule you want, and even though it isn't what she wants she could request the week before her birthday and still be on vacation for her actual birthday or schedule her days around it.

Am I wrong to be requesting her birthday week for my vacation?

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Specializes in Mental health.

No way are you wrong for requesting time off the same time a co-worker was asking off, it’s your supervisors responsibility to obtain staffing for the unit. I had a similar situation where a co-worker was getting married the same day my daughter was getting married. We both stood are ground with our supervisor- we’ve both had given our supervisor six months notice to have that week off.  Our supervisor was furious stating we were accountable to find staffing for that week. We both tried but couldn’t find staff.  But we thought ultimately it’s the supervisor responsibility.  What could she do fire us or write us up?  She looked ridiculous to other staff. After a few weeks she approved are time off. And my co-worker and I had a wonderful week. We came back to the unit after being off that week refreshed and motivated in our job. Stand your ground! Take care.

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12 hours ago, jordyn12 said:

Nothing has been approved yet, but she sent me a text asking why I picked her birthday week for my vacation and complaining.

?

Come on.

 

12 hours ago, jordyn12 said:

Am I wrong to be requesting her birthday week for my vacation?

Come ON!

 

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I have zero idea what your coworker's birthday has to do with the one week you would be able to get away this year. It has nothing to do with anything. You are putting yourself out there to be involved in creating drama right out of thin air.

These people are not your BFFs; they happen to work for the same employer as you. That is it.

The idea that someone would send a text of this nature is beyond ridiculous.

I am practically dying to know how you responded. PLEASE don't tell me you explained yourself and how you went out of your way to make it your second choice....

 

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4 hours ago, JKL33 said:

I am practically dying to know how you responded. PLEASE don't tell me you explained yourself and how you went out of your way to make it your second choice....

I did ? Not a full on explanation at least, if that makes it better? Just something like "Hey, I only get two weeks off because of school so I chose that week to be my second choice. Hopefully they can give both of us the same week if I can't get my first choice"

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Specializes in SCRN.

Oh, geez, you do not need to explain yourself to her. Who does she think she is? birthday week...

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Specializes in nursing ethics.

I agree. Tell her this week is important to you. She will not be a work pal any longer.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Kids need birthday celebrations. Adults can wait or celebrate on other days. She needs to grow up. How many birthdays did we all work? I know I lost count.

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