Would you have called out?

1 So, I'm in the hot seat with some family members.

I have family who traveled from the South for a planned family get-together/reunion. Of course, they chose a weekend that I work even though I told them ahead of time that I would be working. It's very hard to request a weekend off. After my request was denied (big surprise there), I tried to switch with someone and had no luck. My family then pressured me to call out and I didn't. First off, calling out after getting a denied request is a huge NO-NO. Today they're leaving and I feel so guilty; not to mention that they are furious with me. I feel guilty because I received advice from several of my co-workers and they said they would have called out for family they don't regularly spend time with.

Would you have called out?
No. Your family was apprised of the situation and chose to put your livelihood at risk for their convenience.

Nope. They had plenty of warning and you did what you could. Being a professional in the health care field means that sometimes, families just have to accept we can't change our schedules to meet their whims. Heck, just a few minutes ago my parents called and tried to get me to go out to dinner in my hometown, which is well outside my call response time. Guess what? Since I'm on call, I'm not going out to dinner with the rest of my family. And I'm okay with that. I knew it was part of the job, and my family just needs to learn (even though they've had a decade) that it's part of my job.

I don't know, will your family be paying your bills if you get fired? I wouldn't have called out either.

I think your family needs some boundary setting. They have a lot of nerve trying to make YOU feel guilty, when they were the inconsiderate ones.

No, I wouldn't have called out either especially given that they knew from the start that this weekend was inconvenient for you. Not everyone "gets it" with regard to the responsibility we have as nurses, both to our patients and to our co-workers. You did the right thing.

Quote from EmergentI think your family needs some boundary setting. They have a lot of nerve trying to make YOU feel guilty, when they were the inconsiderate ones.

Definitly wouldn't have called out. Especially after you were denied. It's just bad form all together. Your family knew ahead of time and it sounds lime you did your best to get the time off. The fact that they are mad may say something