calling into work sick and feeling very guilty

[chellemaree88]

Hey everyone

I was hoping to get your opinion on calling into work sick. Im an RN in Australia and today had to call out to work sick as I had a massive uti with haematuria pain and frequency that kept me up all night last night and what not. I was meant to be the charge nurse today on the only full time member of staff on shift. Now I feel guilty very guilty. I guess what I am asking is should I have called off sick and should I feel guilty?

Thanks for your opinions

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

You should have gone in to work. You should feel guilty.

yikes! seriously or troll?

[Guest219794]

Seriously? If the OP is sick, she's sick. Nurses get sick too. If a facility can't properly prepare for that fact, that's their problem.

You know, it's not just a job, it's a calling. One that requires a certain amount of sacrifice.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

You know, it's not just a job, it's a calling. One that requires a certain amount of sacrifice.

I was not "called" to be a nurse, and I personally don't believe it is a calling. I give my job my all, but I do not sacrifice my health and welfare for others.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Management at my place of employment will cancel peoples' shifts without one morsel of guilt if census drops below a certain number. They feel no guilt when they call me and announce, "Your shift has been cancelled. Have a great night off!"

Therefore, I feel no guilt or shame for calling in sick when I am too unwell to work. I show my workplace the exact same amount of consideration that they show to me. The lack of remorse is mutual.

[pixiestudent2]

You should have gone in to work. You should feel guilty.

I'm pretty sure he is being sarcastic... Haha

[chellemaree88]

Thanks guys for making me feel better. I am totally dedicated to the job and feel really lucky to have one. I just felt like I was letting the already understaffed team down. Feeling only slightly better today I have a night shift tonight and im gonna drag my bottom in for it. Ah nursing hey?

[MJB2010]

You know, it's not just a job, it's a calling. One that requires a certain amount of sacrifice.

Such as going to work sick? That is not a sacrifice it is a bad decision. The patients deserve a nurse who is fully alert and able to perform her duties. You are not doing anyone any favors by coming to work under the weather. It shows poor decision making.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

You know, it's not just a job, it's a calling. One that requires a certain amount of sacrifice.

It may be a calling for some people, but I don't believe that this means you have to sacrifice your own health to take care of others.

[beeker]

I think the fact that the op feels bad about calling in when legit sick shows their dedication to the job. If she were not a good dedicated employee she would have called out with zero remorse. I think it's normal to feel a little bad, but your brain knows that calling in when sick is the right decision.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Good heavens no, you definitely should not feel guilty. I rarely call off, maybe once or twice a year and I definitely do not feel bad about it when I do. If you are sick you are sick. Besides, how effective would you be at work when you are feeling that poorly?

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I don't think being remorseless when you call out sick means you're an undedicated employee. I think that's a bit harsh.

I feel bad if I have to go to sick call and get quarters - usually because here lately it seems our manning sucks - but I'm not remorseful about it - remorse implies you've done something wrong, something that you need to apologize for, which no one who calls in sick has done.

(If you're lying, that's another ball of wax entirely.)

If you're sick, stay home - you'll do no one any good at work. It happens.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

You know, it's not just a job, it's a calling. One that requires a certain amount of sacrifice.

I'm hoping this is tongue-in-cheek....