working on Christmas?

lee1 · Nov 22, 2005

I've been a nurse for almost 8 years. I have always volunteered to work EVERY holiday (newyears, 4th of July, Thanksgiving etc...) just to have Christmas off to be with my family. I am 6 months into a new ER job and they have scheduled me for Christmas Eve AND Christmas day:sniff: My poor kid's are really upset. My husband is also a nurse and is scheduled to work Christmas day this year too.
I had to tell my parent's that we were both working and ask if they would take the kids. My mom was pretty nasty and less then understanding. She said she didn't think it was "fair" to ask that I work Christmas when I have kids. I told her that people still get sick on Christmas and I wasn't the only employee with children.
Here is what I need from you all... Please help me explain to my (never had a job outside of the home) mother why I have to work Christmas. and second...Help me understand why I have to work Christmas:sniff:

I take it you are not unionized hosptial where seniority has some perks. I am not talking about just a particular unit but for the whole hospital. This is one of the perks that would be available even though you had transferred to a new unit.

lee1 · Nov 22, 2005

Some units where I work-----the nurses only work a 4 hour shift to make it fair for everyone on Christmas--------

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 22, 2005

Some units where I work-----the nurses only work a 4 hour shift to make it fair for everyone on Christmas--------

The floor i used to work on offered this option.

I think our maternity floor does the same.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Nov 22, 2005

Some units where I work-----the nurses only work a 4 hour shift to make it fair for everyone on Christmas--------

How does that make it fair for everyone? It totally ruins the holiday for people that have to go out of town to visit with their families!! That is just as bad as the units that require that everyone works part of every holiday (either the eve or the day) claiming that it makes it "fair". It doesn't. It totally screws over the people whose families live at a distance.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 22, 2005

I take it you are not unionized hosptial where seniority has some perks. I am not talking about just a particular unit but for the whole hospital. This is one of the perks that would be available even though you had transferred to a new unit.

I work in a unionized hospital but thank goodness, seniority does NOT make it such that the new nurses get screwed over year after year. We simply do not do that to them----or no one would stay. In the unit where I work, even though I have been there 6 years (yep SIX) I would still be one of the last ones to get the day off I wanted if this happened. (a bunch have been there 15-20 years). I would not hang around for that. We all take our turns, those who worked Christmas one year, get the next one off. And we do 6 hour shifts, so no one need lose her ENTIRE holiday. I think that is much more fair than the ole seniority get the first pick routine at holiday time.

rn in 3 years · Nov 22, 2005

Okay, so your "problem" here is that you have to work Christmas morning and you won't be there when your kids wake up. Your kids might have to wait a couple of hours to open their gifts.
I'm not seeing the "problem" yet. Seems to me every other Christian has similar problems on that day. And even those who merely celebrate the holiday even if they are not Christian.
Please clarify your problem, I'm slow and I'm not getting it.

Actually, I think those that work night and have to work the holiday have it better than than ones that work days. You can go home and spend a few hours with the family opening presents and then go to bed. Those that work days will be at work during that time.

fergus51 · Nov 22, 2005

How does that make it fair for everyone? It totally ruins the holiday for people that have to go out of town to visit with their families!! That is just as bad as the units that require that everyone works part of every holiday (either the eve or the day) claiming that it makes it "fair". It doesn't. It totally screws over the people whose families live at a distance.

That's why I have gotten some attitude from some of the nurses I work with. My whole family lives out of town, so to see them this year I needed both Xmas and Xmas eve off. A few people have said that isn't fair because we should all have to work part of the holiday. For me, it is preferable to work ALL of the holiday one year in exchange for having it ALL off the next. Fortunately I work in a place that realized there is nothing wrong with that.

fergus51 · Nov 22, 2005

Actually, I think those that work night and have to work the holiday have it better than than ones that work days. You can go home and spend a few hours with the family opening presents and then go to bed. Those that work days will be at work during that time.

I know several day shifters whose kids open their presents either Xmas eve or early Xmas morning before they go to work. It isn't perfect, but it works for some people.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 22, 2005

I am sorry, but nights does not have it "better" than days; sleeping all day (or trying to be awake, fighting sleep) on a holiday is NOT having a holiday at all. Feeling like you were beat with a ball bat after a long night is not fun. Nightshift does stink in that respect.

Each shift has its ups and downs. I am working a 1p-1a to avoid that---and get what I want. I will be home about 2a on Christmas Day, plenty of time to get a little shuteye and get up w/the kids and open presents and have a nice day. I am so happy my work is so flexible like that. And that seniority does not rule who gets a day off.

Q. · Nov 22, 2005

I honestly don't think seniority should play a role in who works holidays...again, new employees have family and friends too.

I totally agree.

OzNurse69 · Nov 23, 2005

On my ward we have a system.

You work either Christmas eve/Christmas day OR New Year's Eve/New Year's Day.

Then swap the next year. There are usually enough new staff to fill in the gaps if it's uneven.

If you want a particular day off & haven't got it, it's up to the individual to find someone else willing to swap.

No whinging, doesn't matter about kids/no kids or families/no families. And everyone knows they work every second year.

Ruth

Lavslady · Nov 23, 2005

I am working Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Why? Because I like the extra Holiday $$$!:) I am Independent and am simply "not available" on Christmas Eve, because that is the time all my kids and grandkids come to "Grandma's House" for our family tradition of home-made pizza and gift exchange. Then the grandkids can have their Santa Day with their parents and I get to make the extra $$$.:)

When I was young, and had little kids, I worked Agency...and with Agency, you can work the holidays or not...I didn't then, as Christmas IS for KIDS. Now I'm old, and will do staff-relief for those facilities that will let their PARENTS off, and fill their positions with Independents or Agency.

If having the Holidays off is important to you, then I suggest you go to work for an Agency or become Independent, because as an employee of a facility, you will sometimes have to work them.