Feeling sad.....

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all,

I know this post may sound stupid...but I just need to vent a little...and I know you all are sooo good about letting me do that. Ok....I was scheduled to work this last weekend...but had to miss all three nights due to influenza. I tried to go lastnight....but the fever and body aches were just too bad. I felt soooo bad calling in three nights in a row!! My heart was literally jumping out of my chest as I was making the call. I guess the reason that I'm feeling down is because I think I miss a lot of work. I have endometriosis as some of you know and sometimes the pain is sooo bad...I just can't make it to work. I feel like I'm calling in too much and I'm afraid I'll get fired or something. I've only had one snide remark thus far...my supervisor took my sick call one time and said quote: "it just amazes me how often some people call in sick around here". I just bawled and bawled after she said that...I actually went to my doc and he was nice enough to write up a note saying that I have incapacitating pain at times,....etc. I gave this to her and she said "ohh, you don't call in that much"...I'm thinking she's bi=polar..but anyways....I can't help but feel bad..it's in my nature. I have never once called in because I was faking it, etc. It's always totally legit. I just feel that if I have a fever, or am hacking to death, or am in severe pain....how can I adequately care for those that need me...anyone with me here??? Maybe I just care too much about what others think of me...but...I know there are a few nurses (the ones who are never, ever sick) that talk about those that call in too much....I just know they are talking about me behind my back. It's soo depressing...it's bad enough to feel like crap...but then have to worry about what others are thinking and worry about getting fired or something. Am I making any sense here??? Probably not...LOL....I guess I just wish there was a more global understanding of those with chronic illnesses......we have a gal that has fibromyalgia.....if she misses work...I hear others talking...therefore I'm sure it's the same thing with me and my endo. We are all in the medical field....perhaps we should consider taking care, nuturing , and understanding the health problems of our staff and not just our patients. Thanks for letting me get some of this out...I feel better already. Sorry..it rattled on...must be the fever...LOL

luv ya all,

Snoop':kiss

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

You were sick and in too much pain to work. You have nothing to feel sad or guilty about. Instead of crying I would have been angry at the supervisor, and in a better moment would have told her/him I didn't appreciate it.

We give and give and give and feel guilty when we break down.

Hope you get well soon.

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God...I love you guys....you all rock!!!! Well...today I had my yearly review and you know what...my supervisor didn't say a darn thing about me calling in too much. She said 'if you're sick, you're sick". She was sooooo nice. She even said that I could call her sometime if the pain was too bad and she would gladly work for me....wow. My peers had all good things to say about me...the review was awesome. I love good reviews...they give you a new renewed confidence or something. Thanks though...everyone..for all your support. I guess it just all boils down to me feeling bad about everything...I"m notorious for that.....it's just a personality trait I guess. Ok..I'm off to bed...

Luv ya all,

Snoop:D

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See there..ya were worried for nothing ;) ..glad you got a great review and are in better spirits (((hugzzz)))

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Glad to hear your feeling better. I always like to think that hard work and a positive attitude is rewarded.

Woot!

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

awwwwwwwwwww..... ((( hugs))) :kiss

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Hi Snoopy, Sorry that you've been hit by the bug. Being sick is no fun. As a manager I have a few things to bring up. As much as I know that an employee is not faking being ill, or calling in on a Friday night, it is sometimes hard to keep smiling and being supportive when you've had your fifth sick call for a shift, and there are times when I let my frustration get the better of me.

Second, and please understand that I am not in any way suggesting that you are one of these people, but we get burned sometimes. We ask the question at interview if the person has physical limitations that would interfere with their ability to perform full time work, and you know, I have never had someone tell me that they do. We find out after the fact. It is frustrating hiring someone to a full time postiton when part time would be much better for them, or 8 hr shifts, or a less physically demanding place etc.

Sick time is a priviledge that we have all fought long and hard for and I also agree whole heartedly that is should be there, no questions asked when needed. Lots of places have had to put really stringent policies in place for the employee that calls in as soon as a sick day is earned and added to their banks.

Again, I want to emphasize that I am not suggesting that you are not genuinely sick, but rather trying to put a different perspective on things.

Be well,Janet

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Glad you are feeling better. Get your rest! and when you need to vent, vent away. this is a great place to do it.

I had endometriosis many years ago...when I was in my early 20's in the 1970's. Treated it much differently then...no laproscopy procedures available. With me they didn't know what they were dealing with at first.....I had always been a very heavy bleeder every month and had to miss school b/c of it. Then I started w/the pain and my gyno found a large mass on my R ovary and it was rock hard...thought it was a tumor and before feet could touch the ground I was having surgery..turned out to be a 'chocolate cyst'...said I probably had it for years. Couple of years later it reoccurred...some debilitating pain...really bad and had surgery yet again. Now my bowels and intestines were involved and ended up with a complete hysterectomy that time. I certainly know how very very painful endometriosis can be. I used to get n/v from it all the time as well.

Take care of yourself. hugggzzzz...suzy

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Specializes in all things maternity.

I know how you feel Snoopy. I just started a new job the first week of December.....I have not even earned any sick pay yet and I just got put on a 10 day LOA due to a knee injury from a fall on the ice Tuesday. I have been assured that it is ok but I am still worried that it will cause me to lose my job. I am supposed to be resting and letting my knee heal but I can't rest. And the pain med they gave me is making me sick so I can't even get any pain relief. I don't know what to do.

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