Working holidays and weekends

mycatmax · Oct 13, 2007

p.s. My cat Max IS black. I named him Maxwell.... I drink my coffee black.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 13, 2007

Personally I love working some holidays and weekends, nothing like grocery shopping during the week and if you don't feel like going to inlaws for a get together then , "so sorry i have to work " is always a good one.

I'm guilty of that one!!! I never minded working Thanksgiving and worked a number of them in a row for that very reason!!!

SW_07 · Oct 13, 2007

One of my charge nurses is leaving our unit to go work the day treatment drug and alcohol unit. Reason being is they work 8-5 mon-fri. holidays off , and anytime the schools are closed so is that unit. Might be an option.

leslymill · Oct 13, 2007

Next year you should get Christmas and Christmas Eve off . They will probably make you work Thanksgiving , New Years and New years Eve though.

Godswill · Oct 13, 2007

Personally I love working some holidays and weekends, nothing like grocery shopping during the week and if you don't feel like going to inlaws for a get together then , "so sorry i have to work " is always a good one.

priceless loll

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2007

Many Dialysis clinics are only open Mon-Fri. Of course that's day time and just when you get home, your sig. other will be leaving.

I would try to hang in there and get that first year over with before you decide to leave and make the most of the every other weekend you have together. It looks better on the resume.

Megsd, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2007

My honey is a fireman and works every third day for 24 hours. So he invariably works every 3rd Saturday, every 3rd Sunday, and he works every holiday at some point in a 4-year cycle. We have developed "The Law of One Day Displacement." Any major event, a birthday, a holiday.. is displaced by one day before or after, depending on work schedules.

I know it stinks to have to work on a holiday, especially Christmas, but I always remember that my being there for my patients on that day can make it more special for them, especially if no one is going to visit them that day. And to me, because my holidays DO get displaced so regularly, the actual day on the calendar is not important. The time I spend with my loved ones makes it a holiday.

Good luck to you

rph3664 · Oct 13, 2007

My honey is a fireman and works every third day for 24 hours. So he invariably works every 3rd Saturday, every 3rd Sunday, and he works every holiday at some point in a 4-year cycle. We have developed "The Law of One Day Displacement." Any major event, a birthday, a holiday.. is displaced by one day before or after, depending on work schedules.

I'm a hospital pharmacist and my dad is a retired FF. My mom used to pitch some horrible fits about him working holidays, birthdays, etc. and when I was about 10 or 11 years old, I said, "If it's such a terrible thing, why don't you divorce Daddy and marry somebody else?"

She never complained about this again, and in my line of work, I have had many opportunities to tell that story.

MA Nurse · Oct 14, 2007

I am a new nurse. Been working a a hospital as an RN for 3 months now. My significant other works 5p-5a sunday thru thursday. I have to work every other friday and saturday 7p-7a. So that means we only get to spend time together every other weekend. It's only been three months, but i am sick of it. I miss him. Another thing.... like everyone else, I LOVE the holidays. I started my Xmas shopping 2 weeks ago. Today I am getting somewhat depressed because I know I will be working 7p-7a on both xmas eve and xmas day.
I guess I am just curious... What types of nursing jobs (other than doctor offices) are out there where I would work striaght weekdays, weekends off, and holidays off. I am new to nursing, so i really don't know. I don't think I am going to run out and apply to these jobs, but it would just be nice to know I DO have the option ... especially when I am feeling depressed about not seeing my honey, or being with family on holidays.
Thanks in advance!

I feel your pain! I worked in a unit for 16 years and worked every major holiday every year except when I was on maternity leave or some kind soul worked for me! IMO, it is totally unfair for a unit to make the least senior nurses work all major holidays. It should be rotated, no matter what seniority you have! It's only fair that way!

I would suggest trying to trade holidays with someone, some nurses like New Years off more than Xmas.

Also, after you get a year's experience, try going per diem. Most per diems, like I am now, only work one weekend a month and 1-2 holidays a year. If your SO has health benefits, try per diem, you'll get paid more but not get benefits...it's better for family life, even if other nurses are a bit envious of you sometimes.

Good luck

featherzRN, MSN · Oct 15, 2007

I work in an outpatient clinic connected with a major HMO. We get the same pay and bennies as inpatient, but there are no weekends, holidays or nights. Drawbacks (for some) would be only eight hour shifts. But as others have said, if I had to work holidays I'd just designate a different day as my holiday at home. :)

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2007

I never minded working holidays as long as it was fair. No dumping on the singles just because you had a baby. There's always someone with a new baby. However, a BSN will help the OP find work that has a more regular schedule. I'm in community health and I work M-R. Do be aware that a lot of better schedule jobs come with a pay cut. Not always but often. Employers know that these are schedules some nurses really want.

PRESLA · Oct 16, 2007

] School nurse, public health, dialysis, anything outside hospital is usually more friendly c schedule.

Lisa :lol2: