[lovemyguys]

or should I just find another job?

I ask this after a really stressfull year healthwise. I've been hospitalized for severe dehydration, bronchitis where I was coughing up blood clots and at one point they thought I had a PE, migraines, kidney stones (I've passed them 3 times in the past yr!), cholecystitis, and, recently, appendicitis!

I've been made to sign a written warning regarding my attendance last week. As if my job as an RN isn't stressful enough, I now have the pressure NOT to miss a day of work hanging over me daily.

I'm just wondering....have any of you overcome issues like this? I have to meet with my nursing supervisor tomorrow, and I'm wondering how do I approach this with her? I want to know frankly if my job is in jeapordy, if I should start looking for another one right away or what? I was told that in the state of CA they can't hold it against you attendance-wise if you call in for a child being sick- Does anyone know if this is true?

I'm really anxious at this point. I've worked here for 2 yrs, and need to know if I should just call it quits and start fresh or what I can say to management to feel out the situation, and whether it's workable or not???

Thank you for any and all input. I appreciate it more than you know.

[batmik]

It is really sad when one is legitimately sick and they have to worry about these things. I work with one woman who has had several health problems. She is an older nurse and feels so guilty when she calls in sick. Her being sick never bothers me. But the people who are frequently sick on Fridays or Mondays to get long weekends, when a pattern is established that really bothers me.

I live in Ca and have not heard that .... your child being sick can't be held against you. I think those people without kids wouldn't be too happy if those with kids could take unlimited time off when their kids are sick.

[zambezi]

Would they hold your position for you so you could take some time off and recuperate a little bit? It is not your fault for being sick, however, I can see how it would be tough on the staff if you are frequently gone. Are you getting your work done when you are there? We have someone in our unit (as a staff rn though) that had some health issues and was consistely missing a lot of work. She has taken the year off on light duty so she can recuperate, i personally think that this is a long time but they are holding her position for her....does your work offer a similar program, mabye allow you some time to take care of yourself without the added stress of work?...it may be different as you are in management. Anyway, i hope it all works out for you, good luck.

[traumamom]

My first thought is FMLA for you but then I couldn't remember if it applies to the individual themselves. I know that it applies to caring for sick dependents. It allows for 12 weeks per calendar year. Does anyone know more about FMLA? I always encourage my employees to file for this when they are having serious medical problems with their families.

[Gardengal]

I would seek an intermittent fmla (medical leave) for a chronic health condition. Surely your pcp would complete medical documentation fo r you. Typically, if your absences are followed by physicians and well documented, some of it is excused and not counted as occurrences of ebsence. Can't really do it retrospectively but I would sure seek it for future illnesses.

[BadBird]

When you meet with her request a FMLA form, you are entitled to 12 weeks unpaid leave each year and if you are having that many medical problems you need it.

[fiestynurse]

First of all, your employer has to be careful disciplining someone for illnesses that fall under FMLA. This law allows for 12 weeks of sick leave and also allows for days off for the care of a sick child or family member.

Secondly, does your employer have a written policy in regards to this? They should give you verbal and then written warnings if they feel that you are missing too many days. Generally, if you have 6-8 occurrences (not days) in a year that warrants a written warning. You should be given ample opportunity to correct the situation, especially if you are just having a bad year.

Thirdly, they can't discriminate against you because of a disability. A chronic illness, such as frequent migraines, may be seen as a disability.

Do you have any other performance issues?