Is anyones facility so short staffed that they feel guilty calling in sick?

Vsummer1 · Oct 16, 2002

My bad then, sorry. I didn't know that agency nurses booked assignments that far ahead. That is why I love this site, I learn so much here!

alwaysthere · Oct 16, 2002

I come in when I am scheduled...I will not subject my pt's to my communicable illnesses...I do this because I DO care...I come in OT if I want to or need the money....if i burn myself out i will not be able to care for my patients effectively....my facility is short ...they always will be short because they treat their staff

like uneducated children, instead of capable skilled adults who are not only quite proficient at taking care of them selves but others as well...so of course they will attract uneducated unskilled workers who have no work ethics to speak of even when they decide to come in....

bagladyrn, RN · Oct 16, 2002

The last time an administrator tried to make me come in when I had called in sick was a DON who called back after I had called in with dysentery! She told me to come in, get some kaopectate and compazine and work anyway - get this - in the newborn nursery! As the only nurse! I came in all right - straight to the ER, where after talking to the doc, he called her and told her that as a matter of public health, no way was I working.

Since that day 14 yrs. ago, if I am sick, I call in, no excuses, no "I'm really sorry", no explanations. Just "I'm sick and won't be in today" No guilt either!

nimbex, RN · Oct 17, 2002

Just called in this past monday night. the assistant manager called me at home to inquire just how sick I was....

You see there is an emergent heart, two patients on IABP on and on.

I responded, in no way did that information CURE ME.... I AM just as sick as I was BEFORE you called.

THE fricken nerve of these people, it's because I am one of those IDIOTS, sorry to those of you like me, who come in ill all the time, come in whenever management calls whinning.

THey couldn't believe I wouldn't do it..... I changed my priorities the first of this year, FAMILY, ME, JOB....

On each yearly eval, never thanked for the effort, but BOY do they track the call in's!

:devil: :devil:

otay, done pounding on the keyboard

No, I call in whenever I need to, even taking a mental health day or two a year, MONDAY was one of them:roll

Vsummer1 · Oct 17, 2002

Originally posted by bagladyrn
The last time an administrator tried to make me come in when I had called in sick was a DON who called back after I had called in with dysentery! She told me to come in, get some kaopectate and compazine and work anyway - get this - in the newborn nursery! As the only nurse! I came in all right - straight to the ER, where after talking to the doc, he called her and told her that as a matter of public health, no way was I working.
Since that day 14 yrs. ago, if I am sick, I call in, no excuses, no "I'm really sorry", no explanations. Just "I'm sick and won't be in today" No guilt either!

It floors me that you had to get a doctor to justify your illness in order to call in sick! But, your point was made and you then had no reason to feel the guilt that your DON was trying to give you.

How DARE anyone tell you to take a medicine that would harm you in order to go to work? Sorry, even us first semester nurses know not to take an anti-diarrheal with an intestinal infection... and even worse, I am sorry you had to go through the ER to verify that!

POINT MADE.

dhogan · Oct 17, 2002

I have worked with bronchitis and an inhaler in my pocket. Also got sick a few times but couldn't leave cause there was no one to take my pts. I will call in now if I feel what I have is contagious but like most I don't want to leave the floor short. Very hard to find others to work on our floor. Even now I have waited 5 months to see an ortho doc for a possible rotator tear in my shoulder. Worried about having to stay out for surgery. My appt is tomorrow and I finally realized it wasn't my responsibility to worry about staffing if I was out a few weeks.

grizngrit · Oct 17, 2002

Have you ever heard the expression, "THIS IS MY LIVING, NOT MY LIFE" ? Keep your germs home with the rest of your anatomy.

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Oct 17, 2002

I am at work tonight even though I had fever yesterday and my ears are killing me. Everyone is sick, we've had multiple callins on each shift. I called in last night, but felt guilty enough that I came in tonight. Luckily it got cold tonight and has kept the frequent flyers at home ( I work in the ED). :)

outbackannie · Oct 17, 2002

I hate it when an employee comes in sick. Not only does it put patients at risk, it also puts the other employees at risk. Keep your germs to yourself! It especially makes it much harder on the other staff if you come in sick and are not able to give 100% which means they have to pick up the slack and/or the patient doesn't get proper care. If you come in sick, and end up having to go home early because you just can't do it, then it is nearly impossible to find someone to replace you. If you must feel guilty about being sick, there must be something else behind it.

sphinx, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2002

Well, I admit to not having read this whole thread, but having been sick as a dang dog most of the week I did pick up on some bits. Monday evening I started with severe abdominal cramps/diarrhea/nausea.....which has continued. Fever up through yesterday. Today no diarrhea or nausea, but continous cramping which will NOT go away, am only comfortable laying down or propped up with 2 pillows (love my iBook), sitting or standing is dreadful. Ate only some bread and a granola bar today. Had an EGD (for other reasosn). Feel horrid. Have paperwork from MOnday I never completed because I was so sick (I do homecare), I can't even imagine sitting up at my desk for the 1-2 hours to complete it! And I wonder seriously if these cramps and poain will be gone by tomorrow. I feel dehydrated and dead tired. And yes, I feel guilty at the thought of calling in again after the past few days.......I doubt (?) I'm contagious still, but I can't even stand upright! All I can think is, my boss will have a cow if I call in. I am paranoid......I was fired once for calling in too much, and I worry.....but if I feel like this tomorrow, I won't know what to do.....any suggestions???????

Youda · Oct 18, 2002

An old standby is to call and ask your boss to assess you. Have her take your temperature, do an abdominal assessment, fluid balance, full vital signs, etc. If you can possibly manage it, barf on her shoes about then. This is what I tell my CNAs to do when they are getting grief from management. I tell them to come in (but not clock in yet) and have a nurse assess them. Then, there's no question about the validity of it. Barfing really helps.

Vsummer1 · Oct 18, 2002

Originally posted by Youda
An old standby is to call and ask your boss to assess you. Have her take your temperature, do an abdominal assessment, fluid balance, full vital signs, etc. If you can possibly manage it, barf on her shoes about then. This is what I tell my CNAs to do when they are getting grief from management. I tell them to come in (but not clock in yet) and have a nurse assess them. Then, there's no question about the validity of it. Barfing really helps.

I was going to suggest seeing a doctor, but this is better cuz it is FREE and so passive aggressive at the same time...