When to call out sick

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Acute Care.

What kinds of symptoms do you usually know for certain whether or not to call out? Sore throat, temperature above ___?, N/V/D? Do you call out for a common cold?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I almost never call in sick. I prefer to save my PTO for fun stuff -- or to cash in the time for extra money. Generally, I only call in sick if I am too sick to function or if I am a threat to those around me (i.e. contagious).

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

I will call out if I have vomitting/diarrhea or a temp above 100. Also if I am sick enough that I feel that my judgement is impaired I will stay home. These times are very few and far between. Like the OP stated I perfer to use my PTO time for fun time.

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Specializes in nursing student.

I only call in if I am vomiting/diarrhea and too ill to function. Otherwise, I go to work and push through so I can save my PTO for fun stuff like vacation or heaven forbid an unexpected surgery.

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Specializes in LTC, geriatric, psych, rehab.

As a DON of a nursing home, I don't have to do direct patient care. I prefer to be out with my residents, but if sick I can hole up in my office and do paperwork. So, if I can get out of bed without vomiting, I'll be at work. I think the craziest reason one of my nurses ever called in for was, "My dog had puppies." This was an exceptional nurse who never missed, so I knew it was something more. So when I got in, I called her. She meant that the mother dog had died, and she was having to bottle feed 9 new puppies every 2 hrs. I had her come in to work with the puppies. The residents took turns feeding the puppies all day long.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I call out for only two reasons: if I can't get my head OFF the pillow, or OUT of the toilet.:chuckle

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Specializes in Gerontology.

I ask myself - can I function? Am I contagious? Will going in today make me sick for the next week? Or will 1 day off prevent a long-term illness?

I also consider what the staffing has been like - are we having problems staffing? Or are people begging for shifts?

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If I am contagious or sick enough that I simply cannot function, I will call out. I don't get sick that much. However, I've only been on my own a few months and had to call out on New Year's Eve. I had an acute case of laryngitis and sinusitis, it came on overnight the night before while I was working. By the A.M. I had no voice and I was fading fast. When I opened my mouth to give report to the dayshift nurses, they all jumped back and said WHAT is wrong with you?? :chuckle. So by the time my next shift to work came around, I was twice as bad and had been to the doctor. I knew if I went in, my patients would be wondering what the hell I was doing sounding and looking like death warmed over, coming in to take care of them.

So yes, I stayed home. It was for the best.

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I had her come in to work with the puppies. The residents took turns feeding the puppies all day long.

That's adorable. I bet they were delighted to help out. So cute. And the nurse was prob happy to make the money and get a hand as feeding 9 puppies is a chore. Good job.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

I've gone home when my Meniere's flared up and I was stumbling around looking for a place to vomit...figure no patient wants their nurse looking/acting drunk :D

I've also called in sick when the abovementioned hits me at home. Sorry, if I can't even drive I sure can't give patient care.

Then there's my current LOA....sigh.

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When I was a CNA, I called in sick one time. The nurse taking my call told me to go get a doctor's note. I had intended on coming back to work after missing one shift. The doctor gave me three days off before I could go back to work. Not only did I miss the work, I had to pay for the doctor to tell me what I already knew, that I was too sick to work.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

I call out rarely but am always made to feel guilty. My boss (we are MDS) comes in sick and acts evil all day. I accrue 12 sick days per year and until I get close to that, I should be left alone. I would always tell folks calling out, "Hope you feel better!" Now, I get the third degree! No sympathy at all. And of course, doing MDS it's not like the residents are not being cared for. SOOO, the damned care plans won't get updated until the next day. Big Whoop! Thanks for reading my vent!! :madface:

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