no show no call

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello guys, I've been a registered nurse a long term care facility for 6 months. I have accumulated sick days and vacation days that I never used. Yesterday I called in to my director of nursing to tell her that I will not make it to work tomorrow because I have to take my mom to the doctor for her colonoscopy exam. She told me it will be considered a no show no call if I don't come in tomorrow because the state is there. Since I've been there I never heard of such a thing. I never called in sick before either. My cousin was suppose to take her but something came up. I called her at 6pm the day before to notify her so she could find someone to fill in my spot. That way it gives her more time to try to find someone to fill in for me. After she told me it would be a no show no call, I told her that I will tell my uncle to take her instead. He is 68 years old and could barely drive that is why I didn't ask him in the first place.

So the next day I show up to clock in and sign my name on the folder, I notice that someone sign their initials on my name. I ask what it was all about. They told me that they were waiting for me to call back to see if my uncle could take my mom. It doesn't make any sense to call them back if I already told them Im going to tell my uncle to take my mom. Not only did I waste my time driving to work, I was told to go home.

I don't know why she made a big deal out of it when she said she can't take call in when state is here, but the next day there was a PRN nurse filling in my shift for me. I wanted to ask you guys is that possible that it could be a no show no call just because state is there.

That is not the first time she done this. She told one of the other nurse that she needs a doctor note to use as a sick day. From my understanding a nurse could use their sick day without any explanation on what happen. Just call in 2 hours before hand to tell whoever is in charge or doing the scheduling to fill someone in. I know it is an inconvenient sometimes, but there are real emergencies. I'm a new nurse so I don't really know what are the rules are to use as a sick day. I look up my paid leave balances and I have 24 hours (3 sick days) and 26.5 hours (vacation days). I know that I have to give notice 30 days prior to my vacation and 2 hours notice for sick days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Here's the bottom line. . . unscrupulous nursing home DONs dislike when people call out when state surveyors are in the building because they know staff doesn't want to work under a microscope.

Your DON seems a bit shady. I wouldn't be surprised if she drums up a paper trail to have the supporting documentation to ensure your employment is terminated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So I could be terminated? I'm just so stress out right now. This is my first job after graduating. I also have an exam tomorrow. I'm continuing my education to get a bachelors. I have work tomorrow after the exam. I don't know if they replace me for good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

No, I don't think it's to that point at this time, but your DON does not sound like a nice person, and May...or may not...hold a grudge. But, no manager likes call ins when surveyors are there. Just adds to everyone's stress level.

Relax, take your test, and don't think about the rest for now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That DON is awful. You did give notice that you were needing to call if for your next shift, and it was well before that 2 hr mark. It shouldn't have been considered a no call no show, but some managers are just dirty and will lie and falsify things. They didn't want to be short for State is all. Her threat was just to intimidate you. Good luck with that employer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Sounds to me like this DON likes to make her own rules. I think she is shady too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

That sounds like, as Joe Biden would say, "a bunch of malarkey." A no call no show is just that- you don't call and you don't show up. If you call notifying them that you will not be in, how is it a "no call"?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
If you call notifying them that you will not be in, how is it a "no call"?
I wouldn't put it past this shady DON to lie and claim she never received a call-in from the OP.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you guys for the advice:) I have asked other employees at the facility whom have work there longer than me. They told me she couldn't do that because that doesn't classify as a "no show no call". She was just trying to intimidate me to show up. They told me next time to ask the DON to point out exactly where in the facility guidelines that states certain things. I'm just a new nurse learning all the rules. This facility has trouble scheduling workers. I have heard it happen to other people. Now it happened to me.

I'm just mad that after all the things I did for the company they didn't really appreciate it. Never even said thank you once for all the times I clock out early to stay back and do paperwork or come to the facility to re-do paperwork that I finish that they somehow misplace. When I needed their help they turn a 180 on me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Eek! That sounds like a crappy facility all around. To management of a lot of LTC facilities, nurses are basically expendable licenses with a pulse. If you won't take their crap, someone else will, so they get away with it. Get your year of experience and get out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello guys, I've been a registered nurse a long term care facility for 6 months. I have accumulated sick days and vacation days that I never used. Yesterday I called in to my director of nursing to tell her that I will not make it to work tomorrow because I have to take my mom to the doctor for her colonoscopy exam. She told me it will be considered a no show no call if I don't come in tomorrow because the state is there. Since I've been there I never heard of such a thing. I never called in sick before either. My cousin was suppose to take her but something came up. I called her at 6pm the day before to notify her so she could find someone to fill in my spot. That way it gives her more time to try to find someone to fill in for me. After she told me it would be a no show no call, I told her that I will tell my uncle to take her instead. He is 68 years old and could barely drive that is why I didn't ask him in the first place.

So the next day I show up to clock in and sign my name on the folder, I notice that someone sign their initials on my name. I ask what it was all about. They told me that they were waiting for me to call back to see if my uncle could take my mom. It doesn't make any sense to call them back if I already told them Im going to tell my uncle to take my mom. Not only did I waste my time driving to work, I was told to go home.

I don't know why she made a big deal out of it when she said she can't take call in when state is here, but the next day there was a PRN nurse filling in my shift for me. I wanted to ask you guys is that possible that it could be a no show no call just because state is there.

That is not the first time she done this. She told one of the other nurse that she needs a doctor note to use as a sick day. From my understanding a nurse could use their sick day without any explanation on what happen. Just call in 2 hours before hand to tell whoever is in charge or doing the scheduling to fill someone in. I know it is an inconvenient sometimes, but there are real emergencies. I'm a new nurse so I don't really know what are the rules are to use as a sick day. I look up my paid leave balances and I have 24 hours (3 sick days) and 26.5 hours (vacation days). I know that I have to give notice 30 days prior to my vacation and 2

hours notice for sick days.

That DON is a bully. It happens to my hosp. They can threaten all they want but at the end of the day as long as u have docs to prove that you were at the doc's office w ur mom, she can't touch u. But I'd b looking for another job if I

were u, coz that can happen again

Ldy76

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sometimes, the truth will not set you free.

From the nurse manager's perspective, was this a last-minute appointment your mother had or something that had been scheduled for awhile? Unless it was an emergency, your manager should have had more notice than that.

From your perspective, if it was a last minute thing, unfortunately, I would have called in and said I was sick, before I told them that I had to attend to someone else. I know that isn't honest, but sometimes you cannot always be honest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment