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.)
they can always call in agency to cover for the shift.
if they can get someone to cover on the holiday. not every place has that luxury
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!
she has coverage starting at 2am so there will be twelve hours between when she gets off and when she has to report for the next shift. same amount of sleep most of us who work 12 hour shifts back to back get.
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.)
So you're off today(Sunday) and have to work tomorrow evening. Not too bad.
You did NOT get your request to work only 4 hours tomorrow, despite another nurse signing up for the other 4 hours. Bummer.
You figure the scheduler's pal got off instead of you. Maybe true, maybe not. Can't say why it was given to her, not to you.
Well, you won some, you lost some. I understand your unhappiness but at least you are off today and it sounds like you are off Christmas Day. So I hope you and yours enjoyed today and that God is gracious enough to allow you to be together in good health on 12/25.
Can you get into a doc's office, school, case management, or other setting that does not require holidays?
If it's any comfort, you are not alone. Lots and lots of us are not getting to be off with our loved ones. Police, firefighters, EMS, some other hospital workers, TV and radio, other media workers - that is the price of working in our field. It'll be alright. Change what you can, accept the rest.
Your schedule sounds no too bad, compared to some of the holiday times I've had. Thats the joy of nursing, we are never closed, have to be there for those in need. IMHO, calling in sick at the last minute is a yellow way to go, leaving your workmates to take extra load on a holiday, that everyone wants off is just not right. And you are off on the main Xmas day! Can you not just re-schedule your celebrations for then? And think of us who are working for 13+ hrs on that day. It's all part of the job babe, just do your shift, dont be unkind to your co-workers who are actually there with the patients, and enjoy your Xmas day off.
Hope however this pans out, you will have a good festive season!
So you're off today(Sunday) and have to work tomorrow evening. Not too bad.
No. I was NOT off today. I worked 8 hours and I DO plan on working my scheduled hours. I said I was tempted, but would go in anyway because I DO have work ethics that I am proud of.
It's all part of the job babe, just do your shift, dont be unkind to your co-workers who are actually there with the patients, and enjoy your Xmas day off.
I do work holidays babe, and usually willingly. I don't plan on being unkind to anyone. It was a question.... a simple question.
Thank you everyone for your replies. I appreciate it!
And for those that didn't read the entire thread, I AM going in tomorrow.....
grammy, I didn't mean to imply that you would meaningly be unkind to people, sorry if it came across that way. Poor wording on my part, what I meant that, if you called in sick, as you pondered, that would not be kind to the others who are working it. I did read in your post, that you are willing to work holidays, have read all the posts.
Whatever you choose, do hope you are able to celebrate with your loved ones, at some point over the holiday. Have a very Merry Christmas, and all good wishes for the coming year!
As unfair and not very wise as this schedule is, I would go ahead and work the assigned shift if you can't find a replacement. If you call in, I can assure you that your supervisors will remember this little incident and it will come back to bite you in the future. Now, as for next year, I would promptly tell your manager that you went along with their little shenanigans this year but expect to be treated fairly next year. If next year's schedule comes out and you are screwed again, then go ahead and call in. If you don't, they will continue to mess with you every year because you will have been identified as a push over. Don't let them mess with you like this. Hope you find a replacement. Good luck and happy holidays.
FlyingScot, RN
2,016 Posts
she has coverage starting at 2am so there will be twelve hours between when she gets off and when she has to report for the next shift. same amount of sleep most of us who work 12 hour shifts back to back get.