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 L&D.
you need to get over yourself sister! i cannot imagine why anyone would be jealous of an angry, unhappy person such as yourself. what bitterness you hear is about the ugly sense of entitlement that some parents seem to have . . . no one "owes" you christmas off, regardless of your reproductive choices. if you're lucky enough to have a spouse you think is wonderful and children to spend the holidays with, that's marvelous. but christmas is more than a date and time; perhaps you ought to be teaching those children about caring for others and about giving. presents can be opened when you get home, or after you've slept, or on the days before or after christmas, when your family can be together to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday. if it's your turn to work christmas, then work it without whining about it. after all, nothing in my job contract says that since i don't have young children i need to work every christmas, thanksgiving, easter, mother's day, father's day, dance recital, soccer game and first day of school so that mom's can have them off!

ruby

never in any of my posts have i said i shouldn't have to work holidays. find it and we'll go from there. i don't work christmas eve (now the 3rd time saying this...). i do however work christmas night which is ok because christmas is at my house this year. dinner is done with by that time. no need to attack or be so rude...:uhoh21:
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Am I bitter I don't have kids? Puuleeeze.

:chuckle The funny thing about it is some people act like having a kid is so hard that we must be jealous if we don't have them. Baring any fertility problems I don't know about, I would just have to stop taking that morning pill to get me a kid. Why would I be jealous of something that is fairly easy to obtain?

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Specializes in L&D.
:chuckle The funny thing about it is some people act like having a kid is so hard that we must be jealous if we don't have them.quote] I don't think having children is hard at all. I am very lucky to have my wonderful kids. I've loved every stage. But I've always loved children and must say that my husband and I are very good parents.
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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
You need to get over it please. Stop dragging this on. :uhoh21:

Get over it? Not when a 1950s-ish comment is made in 2005 LMAO.

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Specializes in L&D.
Get over it? Not when a 1950s-ish comment is made in 2005 LMAO.
Sorry, I didn't realize you were having a hard time right now. It explains why you are so sensitive about the comment I made. :icon_hug: I'd delete it if people hadn't quoted from it. I guess as someone who loves children so much and loves being a parent and being married, it's hard for me to understand why people wouldn't want kids. So when people insult others about our "reproductive choice" it just sounds like bitterness. Maybe I was wrong. Sorry to offend.
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I don't think having children is hard at all. I am very lucky to have my wonderful kids. I've loved every stage. But I've always loved children and must say that my husband and I are very good parents.

Good for you. I have a lot of respect for people who choose to be good parents. I haven't made that choice and don't know if I will or not. I get how parents love their kids so much they can't understand why some people wouldn't want kids, but trust me, there are a lot of reasons some of us are hesitant to have kids:chuckle . I don't consider it insulting to point out that parents chose to become parents and they need to own that without expecting me to rearrange my life to accomodate their choices. I just consider that logical. Like I said, my only bitterness towards the mothers among my coworkers come when they expect me to give and give and give so that all they do is take and take and take. But, I feel the same way about childless coworkers who do that.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Sorry, I didn't realize you were having a hard time right now. It explains why you are so sensitive about the comment I made.

If i'm taking a stab at the "hard time" you are refering to, that has NOTHING to do with my opinion on your comment. I've always been annoyed by the idea that someone needs a man in their life to be happy. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in L&D.
If i'm taking a stab at the "hard time" you are refering to, that has NOTHING to do with my opinion on your comment. I've always been annoyed by the idea that someone needs a man in their life to be happy. :rolleyes:
Which includes yourself, right?
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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Which includes yourself, right?

What, that i need a man in my life to be happy?

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Specializes in L&D.
What, that i need a man in my life to be happy?

I don't know. I guess it's something you need to ask yourself, not me. Why can't you just accept my apology as that - an apology, instead of trying to carry it on and on?? :uhoh21:

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Folks, this thread has ventured WAAAAY too personal. How about we all agree that no one is more or less worthy of having Christmas off. If anyone feels that strongly about being off, then it's their responsibility to not work a job that offers services on that day. Anyone who chooses to help out a co-worker by voluntarily offering to work a holiday in their stead gets bonus Karma points.

Let's allow this argument to rest until next November.

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