Since becoming a nurse, I’ve realized that I don’t like holidays like I used to.  When I didn’t have to work the holidays, I was so happy.  Now that I have to work on most holidays I can’t celebrate like I used to either.  I don’t get to spend as much time with my family as I like around the holidays.  I especially don’t like to work around fourth of July.  Neighbors set off fireworks from 6pm to 2am and sometimes even later than that.  At my last job, I had to wake up at 4am and I had an hour long drive to work.  When I get in the bed early and fireworks start and don’t stop until 2am, I can’t sleep.  I save lives for a living and I need my sleep.  Yes, I can function on 3 hours of sleep, but I never know how busy my day is going to be.  I have to be at my best to make decisions at work.  I get in the bed early when I have to go to work so I can get enough sleep.  It’s hard to get sleep when your neighbors are setting off fireworks.  I’m not saying that people can’t enjoy their holidays and set off fireworks.  People should just be considerate of other people.  At least stop the fireworks at 1am so I can at least get 4 hours of sleep.  I’ve had some neighbors setting off fireworks after July 6.  It’s very annoying to get woken up at 5am by fireworks.  I wish I could sleep in and not work every holiday but I can’t.  Just be considerate to other people.  There may be a healthcare worker in your neighborhood that has to work on a holiday.