[mercyteapot]

Or, to put a better spin on it, how often do you take a mental health day? That is, use one of your sick days for something other than being ill or taking care of an ill family member?

[Spidey's mom]

In my old life, I have called in sick when I really wasn't. That was years and years ago. It made me nauseous even then. You know, that "hinky" feeling in your tummy that says you've done something wrong.

I work part-time now - mostly for my mental health. I love it when I'm called off for low census although that has been rare lately.

I wouldn't call in sick nowadays.

I'd still be nauseous.

steph

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by stevielynn

In my old life, I have called in sick when I really wasn't. That was years and years ago. It made me nauseous even then. You know, that "hinky" feeling in your tummy that says you've done something wrong.

I work part-time now - mostly for my mental health. I love it when I'm called off for low census although that has been rare lately.

I wouldn't call in sick nowadays.

I'd still be nauseous.

steph

But.... then, wouldn't the sick day be legit???

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

If I'm under that much stress at work, it can and does make me sick physically. So my choice is to take that one day off that I know I'm gonna crack or catch something, before I get so sick that I can't function for a couple of weeks.

It's kinda like lying down in a dark room the second you feel a migraine coming on, instead of waiting till it's a full-blown 3-day blinding thing.

[Gompers]

I've never called in because work was too stressful. I've called in because my life was too stressful! Like I needed to get something done and wouldn't have time if I worked that night, or if something crazy was going on in my life and I just really needed that night to chill out.

I don't do it very often though, maybe 1-2 times a year.

[fergus51]

I don't get paid if I don't work, so I don't call out unless I am infectious. Even back when I had sick time, I never called out if I wasn't ill because the guilt would have given me an ulcer. This is the main reason I will not tolerate a supervisor discussing disciplining people for using their sick time. If I'm sick, then I'm sick, end of story.

[HappyJaxRN]

I've called off before when I wasn't physically sick. I remember when I was scheduled for 3 in a row and had 2 really bad nights. Not enough help, too many total care patients, no sympathy, but psychological garbage from the team leader....My blood pressure is up, I'm not happy, I'm overwhelmed. They won't change the assignment or get me extra help, then someone else can do it. I haven't done that very often, but I have.

I think in that kind of state of mind, it would be better if a fresh person took the load and would probably do better than me on my 3rd night.

I agree with Stevielynn tho, I get nauseated when I call out, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

[traumaRUs]

I've been in nursing for almost 16 years and have called in three times total for that entire time. Its just a responsibility thing for me...if I'm scheduled to work, then I work.

[HeartsOpenWide]

I go to work even when I am not feeling well. Unless I have a fever and am contagious or am bleeding out of my eyes I go to work. Even on the rare occasion that I do have to call in sick, I feel guilty...

[DANE-RN]

Call off in emergency situations with my family....or truly sick (contagious)
Have worked through pain though. It's a work ethic thing with me......you go to work when scheduled. I also can't leave my coworkers short staffed. With staffing the way it is, no one there to pick up my slack