I just started a new job and have pneumonia. Very worried...

[LTCNS]

I started at a wound care clinic as a Hyperbaric Tech/Wound Nurse on November 7th. Last Thursday (12/20) I became very ill and went to the ER. ER doc did a chest X-ray and said she "saw something" in the right lower lobe of my lungs. Said it was Bronchitis, got two shots, a Rx for antibiotics and an excuse to take the next day off. We were off 12/24 and 12/25. I woke up feeling worse on 12/26 but went in anyway. All day I saw patients and did wound care while I dripped sweat, having to leave the exam room a few times to sit down because I felt very dizzy and was hacking up a lung and other nasty gunk I won't describe.

Yesterday morning (12/27) I was so weak, short of breath and dizzy I could barely make it from one room to another without gasping for air. Called the Nurse Manager and told her I would be in but would probably be a bit late. She called the Director, called me back and said they could make it without me and to go back to the doctor.

Went to the doctor, had a chest X-Ray and now have pneumonia in both lower lobes. Doctor wrote a statement saying I have Pneumonia and am not to return to work for two weeks. In the meantime I will be doing repsiratory treatments at home provided by a home health agency.

I informed the Nurse Manager that I will be going for a follow up appt. next week to see if I can be cleared to go back to work before the two weeks is up. She stated "Just keep me posted. We will work something out."

Here's the thing. The clinic is very small with me and two full time wound care nurses on staff. Since I am out sick, the Nurse Manager has to run the hyperbaric chamber, so that leaves one nurse to see all the patients for the first half of the day, which can be overwhelming, then the Nurse Manager can step in the second half of the day and do wound care. In my opinion, they are not adequately staffed, but who am I to determine that?

With all that said, and since I have been there less than 2 months, would they have a legitimate reason to terminate me, even with a statement from the doctor? Please understand that I realize they need to be adequately staffed to provide proper care, but all of our patients have open, oozing wounds, and more than 90% of them are diabetic with other co-morbidities which would weaken the immune system, but like I said, I have been there less than 2 months and am already having to take so many sick days.

Part of me says if they fire me for being legitimately sick they're not worth working for anyway, but another part says they have a business to run, and while I have worked hard and proven myself competent while I've been there, what can I say if they do let me go? It's just business as usual. Nothing personal.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Worry never changes anything.

You know what? That is the best saying of all time!

[OCNRN63, RN]

I don't know that it would be fair to say that they wouldn't be worth working for. They may be very sympathetic to your illness, but the fact remains, they need someone in that position. It's within their right to look for someone else. Hopefully, they'll be able to muddle through until you're on the mend.

[LTCNS, LPN]

I don't know that it would be fair to say that they wouldn't be worth working for. They may be very sympathetic to your illness, but the fact remains, they need someone in that position. It's within their right to look for someone else. Hopefully, they'll be able to muddle through until you're on the mend.

I think they're sympathetic, but I do understand they need to be adequately staffed. If I was let go I wouldn't take it personally.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

If you feel well enough before your two weeks are up, ask for an MD note to return sooner part-time - like 4 hours per day. Just don't go back too soon or you might relapse. Sleep, sleep, do treatments, rest, do whatever you do to cheer up, sleep some more.

And you're right, of course, worrying never helped.

[08RNGrad]

I would feel the same exact way as you do. Sounds like the nurse manager is being really nice about it and that you don't have anything to worry about. Like they requested, just keep them posted of your status and reiterate how much you like your job :) :)

[Perpetual Student]

As stated, they could terminate you if they so desired. It sounds like honestly they need nurses, and you sound like a motivated employee who happened to get really sick, so I doubt they will terminate you. By the time they terminated you and trained somebody else you would probably be ready to return, so it'd defeat the purpose assuming you're an otherwise good employee.

I hope you get well soon and are able to jump back into your new job once you're healthy.

[Marshall1]

What I feel badly for you about - other than you are sick - is that you are sick and this worried about keeping a job you've had for 2 months with having a legit reason (with proof) for being out. The stress of worrying about your job is not going to make your recovery go as well and I don't know if you are one who has a tendency to worry or if the job environment is one where you feel so unsure about your employment that you are worried for a reason. As far as staffing, I understand you feel badly about it but staff is not your concern - it's the nurse managers. If the staff is low and PRN's are needed then maybe your being out sick and the other nurse leaving will be the push that is needed for the management to beef up the employee number.

You need to concern yourself only with getting well, keeping your NM informed (calls/emails/getting MD notes to her) and let the rest go so you can get better.

[nurseladybug12]

I would say take that time for yourself to get better,the only person that can take care of you is you. Plus it might be off-putting for patients to see you sicker than they are!

[LTCNS, LPN]

Just when I think I'm starting to feel better I crash. I actually had a couple of good days but today I feel horrible. Tired, weak, and just want to cry.

I told the NM last week that I was going to try to go to the doctor today, but the weather is cold, wet and miserable here, plus I feel like I've been hit by a train, so I called the clinic to make an appt. and got one for Friday morning.

I called the NM and told her I will be going to the doctor on Friday and hopefully get clearance to return to work next week. She asked me why I didn't go today since I told her I had an appt. First of all I didn't tell her I had an appt., I told her I was going to *try* to go today. I was honest with her and told her I didn't feel well and didn't feel like it would be a good idea to get out in the wet, cold weather, so I made an appt. for Friday (Didn't have anything available for tomorrow) She got kind of short with me and said "Well...Keep us informed" and hung up.

I understand they need help. I really do, but I didn't get sick on purpose. I feel like my job is slipping right through my fingers and there's nothing I can do about it.