1st night on 5th week of orientation and SICK

[julz68]

So, this is my first NIGHT on my 5th week of orientation and I'm sick. Feel like I've been hit by a truck actually. I woke up with a sore throat, earache and headache on Saturday morning and have pretty much stayed in bed until now since I have to be to work in 2 hours. I've worked at this hospital for 12 years as a CNA so I know I shouldn't call in unless I'm practically dying. We only get 5 sick days a year & anything after that we are put on probation. Even tho I really shouldn't be going to work, I kinda HAVE to. Especially since I'm still on orientation.

What really urks me is, they have signs all over the hospital saying "Please stay home if you're sick" but it doesn't apply to employees...

Anyone else feel that way where they work?

Plus, I always get headaches when I have to wear a mask the entire shift. *sigh*

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

We've got those same signs up all over the place. I've often been tempted to take out my Sharpie and write at the bottom, "This does not apply to staff members. YOU are not allowed to be ill." But I'm afraid they'd catch me on a hidden camera and I'd get fired. I'm just waiting for them to say something about my sick time, even though I have a doctor's note for all of it. I guess we can only call in dead.

We often are stuck wearing masks, gowns, gloves and eye protection for the whole 12 hours on my unit because our infection control gang has decided that ALL pediatric patients who have any symptoms of URTI are guilty until proven innocent - no wait, that's not right. They have to be isolated if they're symptomatic EVEN IF their swabs are all negative. The kid might have coughed once last Wednesday and come in to emergency with a bump on the head on Sunday, but they'll be isolated until discharge. We can't cohort them either unless we have a positive culture. It's wonderful.

[julz68]

Ugh. I work on the medical floor where most of the patients are frail elderly.

[julz68]

Well, I made it thru the night. Had to take Tylenol & ibuprofen and sucking on throat drops all night...we were so busy that I didn't even have time to be sick. I was getting a bit weak due to not being able to eat since my throat hurt so bad, but I did manage to have a banana & juice. Next shift is Wednesday so hopefully I can recover by then. If I still feel the same tomorrow, I'm going to my PCP.