Holiday Planning Schedules - Due October 14th

The planning schedules for the next two pay periods (8 weeks from mid November to mid January) are now in the schedule book.  Please PENCIL in your request no later than October 14th.  I will be collecting the planning schedules on that date and will NOT be calling anyone to ask your preferences if you fail to complete it by the deadline.

For 7C, the holiday shifts are already determined and written in.  PICU, we will be getting them completed ASAP.  Please remember that we do not give any PTO during the holiday weeks....that means you still have to work your weekly hours even if it is not your assigned holiday.  DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING!!!  You may be off Christmas but need to work on the 23rd or the 26th.  We will try our best to give you a stretch off around at least on holiday, but those working the holiday cannot be expected to work 4 or 5 shifts in a row.  With Christmas and New Year's being in the middle of the week, you are all going to have to work up to the holiday or immediately thereafter to get the time in and cover the needs.

Despite my email last week, I have already had grumbling behind my back about the holiday schedule.  This needs to stop IMMEDIATELY!  Our patients are sick at all times and I will be working the entire week of Christmas as well and covering most of the other managers in the Children's Hospital.  Try to think of it as a promise to be off that holiday next year. :)  If the negative behavior continues, I will just put both units on a holiday schedule track and there will be no consideration for preferences.  You will then have to work either Thanksgiving and New Year's or Christmas each year on an alternating schedule.  Every year, I watch our dedicated unit schedulers spend many days stressing over the schedule trying to ensure fairness and make everyone happy at the same time.  It is an impossible and thankless job.  Please try to put yourselves in their shoes and to remember we are all a part of a team and need to pull our fair share of the work.

On a positive note, I have decided this year that IF anyone has to float on a holiday, we will float in reverse order of seniority....meaning the newest employee floats first.  This will at least give our dedicated, long-term employees the assurance that if they have to work, they will work on the home unit.  As always, PICU will give holidays according to seniority on the actual holiday shifts only.  7C does not do this because of the smaller # of staff and the potential skill mix/charge nurse issues it could cause.

Again, please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Melinda

Ho! Ho! Ho!