[redwinggirlie]

We all work....
But, we all have lives outside of work And when it comes to family....
no guilt when it comes to missing work. Family first.

[Praiser]

I applaud your dedication ! What kind of a nurse would you be if you turned your back on your family ? You called in early and your did your best. Do not feel guilty in the least. I would have done it the way you did.
Hope your "munchkin" is feeling better.
LPN 90

[neneRN]

The only times I have ever called off from work have been when my children are sick, and that has probably been a total of 5-6 times in the past 5 years. I used to feel sooo guilty, but I got over that; my children are my priority over my job. Management knows who takes advantage and calls off all the time; if you rarely call off, it is understood that it's for a legitimate reason when you do. We get sick days for a reason.

[ivanaBEEaRN]

Originally Posted by BamaBound2bRN

I know I will probably get blasted for this, but why is it that people want their cake, and eat it too? You wanted both a career and a family, and you have responsibilities to both- your choice.

Not every one has a choice. Most people do not choose to be a single parent with no support from the other parent.

Like the other posters have said, you gave enough warning, and what kind of nurse would you be going on two days without sleep.

[cotjockey]

I don't think I am the only one who has done this so...I've called in sick simply because I didn't feel like going in. (Probably only 5 times in 15 years, but...) There were just a few times that I needed a mental health day...so would I feel guilty about calling in sick when my kids were sick? Nope...people call in sick for much worse reasons...hangovers, friends visiting from out of town, job interviews, American Idol finals, car in the shop...anyone can fake a cough or say they have a fever when the need arises...

[RaggedyRN]

UGGHH....When I re-read this post I realise just how tired I was. Yup...the guilt thing has left. Of course when I returned to work I was not surprised to have the heaviest district. The most difficult bariatric patient who is just downright mean was my patient. The staff is actually requesting to not have her, and are getting angry if they have to have her for a couple days in a row.

Thanks for the support...I was overly tired, afraid of how work would retaliate and emotionally a wreck. It's amazing how a few good hours of sleeep and some kind words can put a whole new light on things.

THANKS AGAIN

[Marie_LPN, RN]

Originally Posted by BamaBound2bRN

I know I will probably get blasted for this, but why is it that people want their cake, and eat it too? You wanted both a career and a family, and you have responsibilities to both- your choice. If it is something that happens only rarely- then don't feel guilty, but I have worked with people who "Call In Sick" for every piano recital, runny nose, and soccer game. And I have been scheduled for nearly every holiday, because "You don't have children."

I don't see where any of that has anything to do with this thread. If the OP were calling in sick for a piano recital, then your post would have more merit. As it is, though...

[cheerfuldoer]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

Ummm not all of us want a career and kids....some have no choice. My cousin whose husband died suddenly and too young when her daughter was 5 comes to mind. She was forced to go back to work fulltime (after being home fulltime w/the child). Another relative's husband ran off with another woman, starting a whole new family and sent her next to no child support for years. She was forced to work fulltime and go to school for LPN-RN so she could support her two kids, who would somehow just not quit eating, growing and needing things.

And finding sick daycare is nearly impossible. Most kids want to be home when they are sick, so mom or dad has to call off sick to care for them. No crime there. When one is a single parent, there is no one else to depend on to cover when kids' needs come up.....


And most parents dont' call in sick for every silly kid thing. That is for another thread! It's hard as a person without kids to know the conflict one feels when he/she must call off sick due to kid needs (and I not talking piano recitals here).

The old "walk a mile in my shoes" saying comes to mind here. IF your place of work is screwing you over for those who have kids, maybe you could consider making a stink about it, or moving on?

Well said, Deb! Well said!

[cheerfuldoer]

Originally Posted by rn_chickey

UGGHH....When I re-read this post I realise just how tired I was. Yup...the guilt thing has left. Of course when I returned to work I was not surprised to have the heaviest district. The most difficult bariatric patient who is just downright mean was my patient. The staff is actually requesting to not have her, and are getting angry if they have to have her for a couple days in a row.

Thanks for the support...I was overly tired, afraid of how work would retaliate and emotionally a wreck. It's amazing how a few good hours of sleeep and some kind words can put a whole new light on things.

THANKS AGAIN

Good to hear you are feeling better, and that you no longer feel guilty. You should NEVER feel guilty for taking care of your children and yourself. Hope the children are feeling better, too.

[viking woman]

Just popped in to see what was new on the site and HAD to respond to this thread; especially since Hubby 'picked' a fight with me last night for missing a shift at work!

I recently returned to floor nursing (I am an LPN in a SNF/LTC) at my former place of employment. I have had an injury that affected the number of hours I can comfortably work and I related this to the DON when hired back, so that she would schedule me accordingly. What does she do my first month back? Schedules me 6 days a week! I became stressed, exhausted, sick with the flu and in pain. I called in a couple of times.

The next month it was apparent that I was being 'punished' by my schedule. Minimal hours (not enough to live on) and lousy shifts (I was hired for a specific shift, but willing to cover).

This last week our college age daughter had a medical emergency, Hubby could not leave work to accompany me, so I left to attend to her, got snowed in and yes, I missed another shift!

My point being, I feel very guilty, I have discussed all of these factors with my DON, I hold her partially responsible for her poor scheduling abilities and burning all of our nurses out at this facility! We have had a very high rate of call-in's since I have returned! We are all exhausted. Oddly enough though, our numbers of staff available to work is not low. There are plenty of nurses that we could each have to only work ONE week end a month, yet I worked 3! We are also very 'top' heavy with RN's promoted to desk jobs that never get pulled to cover the floor! That includes the DON.

Needless to say, our morale is in the toilet. What is the solution?