Published
Well actually I did cry :-( My Dad's 75th birthday party is coming up in a month, he's been planning this party for the past year. The party falls on my weekend to work (the party is in another state), I submitted my request for time off as soon as my parents had the date set, which was a little over a month ago. About the same time I submitted my request one of the other two NOC nurses put in her resignation. After a couple weeks of not hearing anything back from my scheduler I sent her message letting her know how important it was for me to be off that weekend because it was for my Dad's b-day and since we lost my older brother 6 months ago I couldn't miss a family function now. Didn't hear anything back from her. Than the other NOC nurse put in her notice, leaving me the only full time nurse on that shift :-/. I could to work last night and had a denial note waiting for me. It basically said "due to the current staffing issues I cannot approve your request for time off" I am so angry. There are only two on call nurses I can ask to work for me and one of them has already told me she is busy. The other nurse is my last hope. I don't even know what else to do and I cannot imagine having to tell my parents that I won't be coming.. :-(
After 30+ years of being a nurse at several different jobs, I have learned a few things. Yes, I've always been honest and reliable. No calling in sick unless actually sick, blah, blah, blah. And I'm certainly not advocating for being a flaky unreliable employee. I value my reputation and my integrity, BUT...
My places of employment have all survived after I quit. My biggest regrets in retrospect are not sticking up for myself more. For putting my job ahead of my family. On my death bed, will I be glad I was always Nurse Goody-Two-Shoes and let callous employers run all over me? Or will I be glad I was there for my family at the important and sensitive times? It's not for anyone else to judge how important this occasion is. Only you and your family know.
When you follow your gut and refuse to be intimidated, life usually manages to work out anyway.
Got calls from my scheduler and HR Director!!! I was granted my days off! The letter to HR paid off. Ahhhhh... That was me taking a BIG sigh of relief.That's me doing my happy dance!!
Well, if HR has even half a brain and/or half a heart this decision is the only reasonable one.
Brain = They’ve recently had two nurses quit, do they really need a third one to join the other two?
Heart = The party you wanted time off for is a special occasion with special circumstances due to what your family has been going through recently.
I’m guessing it was the brain factor that made the decision for them, but the idealistic part of me hopes that there was a little heart involved.
Anyways, congrats! I’m so happy for you :) Go enjoy this weekend off with your father and the rest of your family!
Surprised1, MSN, RN
128 Posts
This. "Someone" may have a grudge against you for goodness knows what reason. This smacks of passive aggression and vengeance. I'm sorry this happened to you.
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