So Frustrated I Could Cry..

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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.. :-(

Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Well, you still have one nurse to ask but make sure you honor a request should that nurse have one to ask of you.

Unfortunately, it likely won't be pleasant for you if you just call off -- be ready to go (or start already) job hunting when you get back. People generally are not kind to others who call off especially when there are staffing issues. It looks like you aren't down for the team and this happens regardless of profession. With nursing being a 24/7 profession, no one is likely to be all that nice about your situation, especially when you already have current staffing problems.

It sucks but requests are just that -- requests. They can be honored or denied for any reason and they have a pretty good reason. I come from a place where staff is consistently short (by design of the business) and it's very frustrating to have to deal with lots of requests and people calling off when they are denied (we can't really do anything about this because it's a "sick" request and it could cause legal problems down the road). But, that's how it goes -- it does cause drama, however and people who do this are generally not welcomed back very easily.

I'll cross my fingers that the other nurse covers for you. Good luck!

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Specializes in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.
LadyFree, you know I love your posts, but I just can't agree with this ;). No good can come from lying and taking off sick on that weekend. Mgmt. knows about the date of this party, so calling off sick would raise eyebrows and potentially jeopardize the OP's job. Honesty is the best policy, even if it means we don't always get what we want.

OP, I would continue to look for other options. Can one of the nurses who works the opposite shift from you swap shifts so you can go to the party?

Exactly. I feel for you, OP. I know how much it would mean to your dad and to you, so I really hope you can find someone to switch with you. However, it would backfire on you to call in that day. My hospital has strong punitive consequences for calling in for a shift that you were denied time off, or for a holiday/day before a holiday. I would imagine that your facility also has a punitive policy for such call-ins, and it certainly would make an unfavorable impression with management. Also, it may leave the floor dangerously understaffed if you were to call in.

Are there any other nurses who could switch with you? Maybe even switch days for nights with someone else that week? It's always best to be honest and do the right thing. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in 4.

I would sit down and speak with the other nurse who could cover for you. She is seriously your best option. I do like the calling off idea but I am sure, you would just get into trouble as mgmt. is already aware of your plans.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Unfortunately, for most of us, time off is a "benefit" and not something you are guaranteed. We've had bad staffing times in my unit where due to multiple LOAs (usually maternity time combined with medical leaves) when all PTO requests are on hold.

It took my family several years to learn that if it's important for me to be there, I need months of advance notice, especially if it's my weekend to work.

If you choose to call in, be prepared to face the consequences, which may be severe. And it would be unfair to be mad at your employer for this. Their responsibility is to fill the shifts. From what you've told us at least, they have acted reasonably.

I kind of dislike this phrase but it applies here; "You have to do what you have to do", but don't be surprised if "They have to do what they have to do."

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
I know our policy is that if you call in sick on a day you were denied off, it's a write up.

That's the policy at my place of work as well.

The situation really stinks! As others have said--see if your parents can move the party.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I would have them switch the party date. Sucks, but you canont risk getting in big trouble.

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Specializes in Oncology.

You could always try sweetening the deal with the nurse who is your last chance. Offer to buy her lunch. Offer to work her next two weekends. I remember a nurse who really wanted New Year's Eve off and offered anyone that would switch with her $100.

I don't understand how any unit can get by with only one FTE nurse on a shift, since most nurses don't like working 7 12 hour shifts a week.

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I wouldn't call in. If I did one of the PM nurses would be mandated to stay over to cover my shift, cause that's how they do things there. I wouldn't want to be mandated so I'm not going to do that to someone else either. Besides that the policy is if you call in on a weekend you are automatically scheduled for the next weekend and that would put me on a really long stretch.

My parents can't change the date, they spend Oct-May down south and will be leaving that next week. The weekend before was unavailable for whatever reason.

With the lack of nurses my options to trade shifts is limited, and my employer is taking their sweet time on orientating the newly hired NOC nurse. My only hope is the one on call nurse. Or going to my DON and begging her for assistance in finding a replacement.

And believe me, I'm hunting for a new job. It angers me that she waited for over a month to deny my request and couldn't so much as apologize even after I explained the importance of the request. I know she wouldn't dream of missing her dad's party had the shoe been on the other foot...

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

If there is a day I need off, that's so important to me I'd risk my job, nobody at work knows about it. I don't ask to swap, or request that day from my boss.

That way if I absolutely have to, I can call in sick, and nobody has to know I'm not.

The above plan is only reserved for those days being off is nonnegotiable.

When I was younger I would have worked and been miserable.

With less time in front of me, than behind me, my priorities are a little different. I'd call in and take the hit, whatever the boss decided that was.

Tell your dad happy birthday, and eat a piece of cake for me.

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I wouldn't call in. If I did one of the PM nurses would be mandated to stay over to cover my shift, cause that's how they do things there. I wouldn't want to be mandated so I'm not going to do that to someone else either. Besides that the policy is if you call in on a weekend you are automatically scheduled for the next weekend and that would put me on a really long stretch.

My parents can't change the date, they spend Oct-May down south and will be leaving that next week. The weekend before was unavailable for whatever reason.

With the lack of nurses my options to trade shifts is limited, and my employer is taking their sweet time on orientating the newly hired NOC nurse. My only hope is the one on call nurse. Or going to my DON and begging her for assistance in finding a replacement.

And believe me, I'm hunting for a new job. It angers me that she waited for over a month to deny my request and couldn't so much as apologize even after I explained the importance of the request. I know she wouldn't dream of missing her dad's party had the shoe been on the other foot...

As they have just lost 2 nurses, it would be common sense to try to accommodate you. I agree if they would just mandated the nurses on duty that would be unsafe ( and of course unfair to that nurse).

A decent employer does not mandate. They would use agency . This would be a simple solution, but it costs the precious bottom line a few more bucks.

Best of luck with this. I hope this encourages you to find an employer that appreciates you.

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Specializes in Quality, Cardiac Stepdown, MICU.

Unfortunately, you are in one of several professions (police, firefighters, nurses, others) that require 24-hour coverage or people literally die. You knew this when you signed up. It was confirmed with you didn't get every holiday off that you wanted.

Grow us and spend time with your parents on another weekend. They will be glad to see you regardless if it's at a certain date or not. The Skype idea or a phone call is a good one if you feel the need to make your presence felt on that day.

I know this sounds harsh but that's why you are in bedside nursing. If the lack of flexibility and having to work a sucky schedule doesn't agree with you, find a new type of nursing position. Perhaps a dr's office. But don't screw over your employer/fellow employees in the process by calling out, or the bad reference (and bad karma) will follow you.

Meantime, beg and bribe the hell out of that other nurse to switch with you. You'd be surprised, an opposite shift nurse might do it if you ask nicely enough and offer to sweeten the deal.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
If there is a day I need off, that's so important to me I'd risk my job, nobody at work knows about it. I don't ask to swap, or request that day from my boss.

That way if I absolutely have to, I can call in sick, and nobody has to know I'm not.

The above plan is only reserved for those days being off is nonnegotiable.

Voice of experience. I challenge any 10+ year bedside care nurse to deny this has either happened or at least been seriously considered.

Also, if such a thing were to happen (God forbid!), no shared FB postings or stories of dad's great party.

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