working on Christmas?

Nurses General Nursing

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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: :lol2:

Specializes in Psych.

I have worked many jobs (single, married, childless, w/children) where I had to work holidays before I became a nurse: Commercial bakery, convenience store, food service. My point: the only way to guarantee no holidays seems to be to marry money and retire.;)

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Specializes in L&D.
What is the horror of having the kids wait a couple of hours to open their gifts? Christmas is supposed to be about friends and family, not gifts.
True, and I am not in this situation, I don't work Christmas Eve, so it doesn't even effect my family.
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Specializes in L&D.
Wow, talk about an angry response. quote] No, not angry at all. Just stating what I see. No angry tone at all. ;)
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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I work flex as a CNA while in nursing school. I am required to work 1 winter holiday and 1 summer holiday. I worked Thanksgiving so I can be home with my children Christmas morning. Before I had children i ALWAYS worked Christmas, 13 years in a row as a matter of fact. I LOVED working Christmas, but now that I have little ones at home it is nice to be able to spend Christmas morning with them!!:Holly3:

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Considering closing this thread for a 24 hr cooling off period.

Please do not attack ea and every other poster on the thread. (If you haven't done that, thanks. We appreciate it.)

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Specializes in home & public health, med-surg, hospice.

I'm working Christmas day and the Monday after (office is closed).

I'm totally dreading it b/c I do triage phone nursing for a HH agency and I don't think the doctor's offices and hospitals (let alone patients) are going to realize the office is closed. And when I'm here I have to handle everything as if the office were open (excepting payroll problems).

Also, my mom & sis were killed this day (26th) 5 years ago. And my dad passed away this last Feb. I guess I'm being a freak, I'm sure th' day will be fine for me - like all things this too shall pass. It's just before, you know I could focus all my energies into making a good Christmas for the family.

When I hired on the lady that alternates with me said she'd work Christmases and I've always worked Thanksgivings. But, you know, she deserves Christmas off too (sometimes we make promises when we're desparate for help...lol) and she's been so considerate of my school schedule.

Oh well, sure this is more info. than all of you were looking/asking for but, yes, I'm working Christmas.

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Usually a nurse gets to work one day or the other.....not both. Has your nurse manager explained why you have to work both days?

One reason to schedule people to work both days, is so someone is off both days. As someone who lives far away from all my family, if I can't get both days off, I do not get to spend christmas with my family at all. Many places schedule this way to allow holiday travel. Just FYI.

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I just started an every Sat,Sun,Mon position. I've been in nursing for 23 yrs. and my oldest is 26. She still talks about opening presents on Christmas Eve,then again Christmas Day and again later in the week depending on what my schedule was. We often chose my first day off after the holiday-saved back some presents,made special food,stayed in our p.j.s all day,played games or had a puzzle going or watched movies-the kids all still laugh about the Conan the Barbarian marathon-"nothing says Merry Christmas like barbarianism and swordplay"

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Specializes in Psych.
I'm working Christmas day and the Monday after (office is closed).

I'm totally dreading it b/c I do triage phone nursing for a HH agency and I don't think the doctor's offices and hospitals (let alone patients) are going to realize the office is closed. And when I'm here I have to handle everything as if the office were open (excepting payroll problems).

Also, my mom & sis were killed this day (26th) 5 years ago. And my dad passed away this last Feb. I guess I'm being a freak, I'm sure th' day will be fine for me - like all things this too shall pass. It's just before, you know I could focus all my energies into making a good Christmas for the family.

When I hired on the lady that alternates with me said she'd work Christmases and I've always worked Thanksgivings. But, you know, she deserves Christmas off too (sometimes we make promises when we're desparate for help...lol) and she's been so considerate of my school schedule.

Oh well, sure this is more info. than all of you were looking/asking for but, yes, I'm working Christmas.

My sympathies. I'm sure you have a unique perspective on the whole holiday season, etc. God be with you.

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Specializes in Psych.
I just started an every Sat,Sun,Mon position. I've been in nursing for 23 yrs. and my oldest is 26. She still talks about opening presents on Christmas Eve,then again Christmas Day and again later in the week depending on what my schedule was. We often chose my first day off after the holiday-saved back some presents,made special food,stayed in our p.j.s all day,played games or had a puzzle going or watched movies-the kids all still laugh about the Conan the Barbarian marathon-"nothing says Merry Christmas like barbarianism and swordplay"

See there, folks, this is the way to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation and still make good memories. We are NURSES, for heaven sake, we've been to hell and back a thousand times. What's a little calendar adjustment mean to us. And, don't forget, we are not the only people(professional and otherwise) who have to deal w/this (see previous posts). Let's just all say a prayer of gratefulness if our family is whole and well this Xmas season and celebrate when our schedules allow. Happy Holidays to one and all.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

[quote name=jenrninmiNo not angry at all. Just stating what I see. No angry tone at all. ;)[/quote]

Yet, assumming...

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.

I've been meaning to get to this thread since it started.

Well, We have to work every other Holiday; one year then the next it is still every other but the opposite holidays.

I don;t mind that so much, I've gotten used to it over the last 40 yrs.

However what I don't like is that for the nite shift--which I am-- our holiday is the nite before the holiday---so Thanksgiving is Wed. nite. & so forth.

I can't get used to this no matter how I try!!

This year Christmas is my Holiday to work, so I will be off New Years.

Oh well, That's Hospital life-- I guess I can always leave!! But I never do. have ben with this organization 35 yrs!! Every year I say I am leaving!!:rotfl:

Mary Ann

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