What was the REAL reason you called off

Nurses General Nursing

Published

As I'm sitting in my doctor's office waiting to get a flu swab, I thought I'd start a thread. I called in yesterday from the flu. The worst of it actually began tuesday, I had a fever Wednesday, and I still went to work. When I was still feeling pretty drained yesterday, I called in. My nurse manager used scare tactics with me and told me that I had to get tested to be sure it WAS the flu. That pissed me off. I have the right to give no excuse period. Anyhoo...

We've had threads where we've posted the funniest, dumbest and most amusing reasons people have given to call off. So I thought I'd start a thread asking....so what was the REAL reason you have called off when giving an excuse? This isn't meant to encourage unethical behavior, but I thought it would be fun.

One time I called in sick when the flu was going around because I had not had an ounce of sleep in 4 days. I had already called off for that before, and boy was my DON pissed. (I've suffered from crazy insomnia issues for years and have worked with my doctors to no avail.)

My managers clearly didn't get the severity of my sleep deprivation nor care how dangerous it would be for me to be on the floor with lives in my hands saying it was my responsibility to get proper sleep at night, as if I had control over it. So I wasn't about to say it was due to sleep again. So I called in sick saying I had the flu.

How about you all?

because i wanted to. even on holidays...

reading about my call-offs being a disservice to my coworkers here is amusing. my hypocrite coworkers have done similar. YOU have probably done the same.

Specializes in Med-surg, telemetry, oncology, rehab, LTC, ALF.
The real reason I'm getting ready to call in:

I have had a temp >101 for the past 3 days. Coughing, EVERYTHING hurts including my skin to touch. I worked sick on Monday (my charge nurse refused to take the cart and let my febrile self go home even though she could have) and I'm not doing it again. The flu and PNE have been circulating in our facility. Headed to the doctor now.

Well, it seems that I called it. Type A influenza and bacterial pneumonia to boot. Just called work and let them know that I will be out a bit whee longer than I originally expected.

Back on subject, it takes a lot for me to call out. I have worked with bronchitis and sinus infections. (I wear a mask and perform good hand hygiene, etc.) But I stop at fevers - if I'm too concentrated on feeling hot, cold, shivering, or if I'm struggling to catch my breath, then it's time to call out. Or if I'm vomitting or having profuse diarrhea...as one of my favorite charge nurses says, "If I'm unable to control my bodily fluids, I don't need to be here."

Specializes in Bottom wiping.

I called out the other. No particular reason. Just didnt want to go in. No guilt here!

Pericarditis! I've had it chronically for a few years now, which sucks. FMLA has literally saved my job. Otherwise, I'm sure they would have shitcanned me by now. I have worked through it many days, when the chest pain and fatigue are at a dull roar, but on days that I know I can't keep up with two ICU level patients, I don't put people at risk. I stay home.

Also, I've called off for flu-like illness, because I was required to by my employer during an outbreak.

Mental health-wise, I've only called off once, the day after being backhanded by a patient.

I try not to call off, otherwise. I feel like my chronic illness takes away too many days, as it is. Plus, mental health days are what my scheduled days off are for. Always take time to provide self-care on your days off. It pays in spades.

Specializes in General Internal Medicine, ICU.

Mental health days, actually sick and I've called in when my back hurts. Oh and lack of sleep.

Specializes in NICU.

I have a good one from last night. I literally called off to...you know....do the deed with my husband because we are undergoing fertility treatments and all signs seemed to be pointing to last night. My doctor even said, if you want a baby....you better call off tonight....so I did. I can't believe it. I better get a kid out of this LOL

Keep us posted! Hope it happens :)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Gyn, Pospartum & Psych.

I only have 3 call-in days a year...I save those for when I am or my kids are actually sick.

Specializes in NICU.

Had too much to drink at a concert on a work night. I didn't think it was "too much" but I'm not in my twenties anymore...

Yup, I ended up calling in sick at 0300 for a hangover. A true adult FAIL! :barf02:

Specializes in Med Surg.

Last time I called in was due to vision problems.

I just couldn't see myself going to work that day.

Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

Because I hate my job!

I called out once because I was flooded in and couldn't get out of my neighborhood. It was completely true. I measured the water and my car to see how high it would come up. There was no way I could have made it out. I felt really bad. We had never flooded like that before, nor since.

+ Add a Comment