What would you do?

Published

Background:

We all signed up for hours that we were willing to work over the holidays.

I signed up for 4 hours Christmas Day, and another gal signed up for the other 4 hours on the shift.

Fast forward to schedule:

Schedule comes out, I am working 3-12 hour shifts, getting off at 6am Christmas eve, then expected to return christmas eve day to work a 2-10 shift, while my 4 hour that was requested was assigned to the schedule makers buddy.

I made a fuss and wrote a note to the DON stating that I could not be expected to return and work that 8 hour after just getting off at 6am. I promptly get a phone call left on my voive mail from a very nasty sounding unit manager stating that I WILL work the shift assigned, and blah, blah, blah,,, and at the end, she states she will make sure I'm not working overtime.

The revised schedule then states that I have that Sunday 12 hour shift off, but am still expected to come in and do the 2-10 on Christmas eve.

The gal she assigned my 12 to, graciouly returned 8 hours of it, and is going to come in at 2a and work for me, so I can get a little sleep at least, but my delimma is this:

Our family is coming over Christmas eve for the annual get together and I'd like to be here.

But I have to work.

Children are asking me to call in, and frankly, I'm tempted.

I know it would be a catty little heifer thing of me to do, but knowing that she gets away with doing things like this all the time (and more) to the "little people" per say, just gets my goat.

I'm sure I'll end up working the shift, simply cause of my own work ethic, but I was just wondering what you guys would do in this situation!

Would you do as boss lady says?

or

Follow your heart and stay home with your family on the ONE day you requested off to spend with them (I've worked evey other holiday, and volunteered for Christmas day, but she gave me the day off, and wants me to work 2-10 Christmas eve.)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I think this late in the game, I would take the high road. Other option, see if someone else would like the 6pm to 10pm part of your XMas Eve.

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

This is just my opinion but i would personally put my family first and call in sick when your expected to return at 2pm. That schedule you described sounds like a recipe for disaster, is it normal to have someone come back to work on the same day like that? It just wouldn't happen here. If i was asked about it i would just tell manager i didn't get enough sleep that day, unable to perform patient care safely.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

I'd try and switch with someone and if that doesn't fix the problem I'd suck it up and work the shift. I wouldn't like it but I'd do it because the alternative is to screw my coworkers and I'm sorry but that behavior is really the lowest of the low. Nobody wants to be away from their family on Christmas let alone have to carry an extra load because somebody else thought their holiday was more important than everyone else's. It sounds like you've taken care of the sleeping part so there is no patient safety issue whatsoever. Now you know how things work at your place of employment so you can be prepared for next year with a plan for switching with someone so you can be home. I'd also be looking for another place to work that has a fair scheduling policy.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Double post

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Specializes in Tele, Acute.

Is the schedule maker just another nurse on the unit? You mentioned her buddy got the shift off that you requested off, is that right?

Steam is coming out my ears granny, I'm a grandee too and I never want to miss a Xmas with my kids and grandkids! You never know!

Anyway, I've seen things like this happen to people on my unit who, (including myself) work most holidays, then, when we request something special, someone else gets it.

Keep a file on all the holidays that you work over the year and when the important, big holidays come around and they put out that little list, pull yours out and submit with request. Also, keep your request so you have proof that you did not get what you asked for. I know they can't give everyone what they want but sometimes some people seem to always get what they request, and usually their a buddy of the schedule.

Believe it or not, we had a nurse that NEVER worked a holiday or an eve of a holiday the entire 6 years I worked with her. She always got away with it. Made us all sick but we let it happen. Anyway, don't work there anymore, Hurricane Katrina took care of that.

Good luck, I really get angry when I hear of this going on. Especially the message on your machine. I would definately same that recording.

Can they fire you if you call in on a holiday? Seen that happen also.

Merry Christmas, spend that time with your family girl.

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Specializes in Tele, Acute.

Sorry, Grammy

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I am sooo sorry to hear about your scheduling problems Julie. I can emphasize with you. I worked the floor for more years than I care to remember and experienced similar problems.

Having been in your shoes...I did work what I was scheduled and then proceeded to find a job where holidays are not an issue.

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Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

Well, as much as I understand your desire to be with your family and to also get under the unit managers skin a little, if you can't find someone to trade with or replace you, I'd go in. The other nurses and staff didn't do this to you and they will be hurting if they have to work short. It would really stink if the patients got the short end of the stick in this, too.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.
Well, as much as I understand your desire to be with your family and to also get under the unit managers skin a little, if you can't find someone to trade with or replace you, I'd go in. The other nurses and staff didn't do this to you and they will be hurting if they have to work short. It would really stink if the patients got the short end of the stick in this, too.

:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

[i'd try and switch with someone and if that doesn't fix the problem I'd suck it up and work the shift. I wouldn't like it but I'd do it because the alternative is to screw my coworkers and I'm sorry but that behavior is really the lowest of the low.]

They can always call in agency to cover for the shift.

[ It sounds like you've taken care of the sleeping part so there is no patient safety issue whatsoever.]

I have to strongly disagree here. This would impact on your body clock. It's unheard of to do a night shift (12 hour no less) with only an 8 hour break followed by an 8 hr afternoon shift. Completely inhumane!

Taken from my award:

[.1.9 An employee changing from night duty to day duty or from day duty to night duty will be free from duty during the twenty hours immediately preceding the commencement of the changed duty. This subclause will not apply if the employee is required to perform duty to enable the nursing services of the Health Care Agency to be carried out in an emergency or when another nurse is absent from duty]

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I have to strongly disagree here. This would impact on your body clock. It's unheard of to do a night shift (12 hour no less) with only an 8 hour break followed by an 8 hr afternoon shift. Completely inhumane!

Unfortunately things are different in the US when it comes to work and scheduling. Anything goes. If someone wants to work 60 hours a week it is allowed. In Holland nurses are not allowed to work more than 8 hours a day, no more than 40 hours a week and have 16 hours off between shifts.

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