Nurses General Nursing
Published Jul 14, 2003
Shamrock, BSN, RN
448 Posts
Was having yet another discussion with a colleague about people
who come to work sick. I'm sure we've all done it at some point.
Many of the patients that I work with have very poor hygiene and
are prone to picking up even the most insignificant "bug".
I was just reading in a professional journal the same sort of question and the article stated that going to work sick had ethical, legal and professional implications. Would like to hear
others opinions on the issue.
babynurselsa, RN
1,129 Posts
I agree, but, unfortunately most employer (hospital) do not find unsceduled absences acceptable. My last employer still counted a day I called in against me regardless of the Dr. note that I had.
fergus51
6,620 Posts
Coming to work ill is unprofessional and dangerous. I have no patience for people who bring disease in to spread to me, other staff and most importantly THE PATIENTS!!! I know some people think they are being stoic by coming into work sick, but I would rather work short than work with sick nurses.
renerian, BSN, RN
5,693 Posts
I agree but my employer does not.
renerian
MelRN13
322 Posts
Originally posted by renerian I agree but my employer does not.
Same here. Absences=occurences.
Originally posted by babynurselsa I agree, With which part? By the way: :rotfl: :rotfl: I subscribe to the hand theory of nursing......... If the butt is bigger than my hand I do not wanna change its diaper.
I agree,
With which part?
By the way: :rotfl: :rotfl: I subscribe to the hand theory of nursing......... If the butt is bigger than my hand I do not wanna change its diaper.
Originally posted by fergus51 Coming to work ill is unprofessional and dangerous. I have no patience for people who bring disease in to spread to me, other staff and most importantly THE PATIENTS!!! I know some people think they are being stoic by coming into work sick, but I would rather work short than work with sick nurses.
This is my stance also. BUT, I can also understand renerian's and tele's prediciment.
geekgolightly, BSN, RN
866 Posts
Originally posted by renerian I agree but my employer does not. renerian
im in the same boat.
obillyboy
59 Posts
What I find most ironic is that we take care of sick pt.'s all the time yet we are expected to never become ill.
The problem is not that we become sick but that it is abused by folks who do not want to be pulled to other units, have a party to go to, or would just rather not work that day for whatever reason.
Billy
Very ironic indeed! I called in to a hospital that I worked at for the 1st time in two years and the House Supv. told me I had to find someone else to cover the shift. I informed her that it was her job to find coverage, I was SICK! She was not very civil to me the next time I saw her. :)
canoehead, BSN, RN
6,890 Posts
You were perfectly right Shamrock. What is up with her attitude?
passing thru
655 Posts
I HATE nurses who come to work sick.
In our unit, we can watch the bug make its' rounds....
every 3-5 days, another nurse or two has "it."
And, am I ever ticked when I feel totally miserable for 3-4 days, and a little miserable for 2-3 more days because:
1.) a nurse didn't want to go to the doctor....
"It's going to last a week either way...................................."
2.) "I hate to use up my sick leave, etc. ....yak, yak, yak,
for when I'm ACTUALLY sick !" ha ha ha ha (nurse laughing)
(the ninnies)
3.) "I'm saving my comp time to use on my vacation......"
There oughta be a law against it.
for the record, I don't care which manager gets ticked, I never-
never- never go to work the 1st couple of days I am coming down with a bug. (prodromal period) when youre most contagious....
And, I go to the doc.....
and I return with lotsa tissues,
and lotsa handwashing,
and isolate myself as much as possible from staff.....
actually wipe down phones......etc.
I can't believe the sheer #'s of healthcare workers I observe
sneezing and coughing all over the rest of us,
without even an
attempt to cover their mouths............AND,
IF THEY DO, ........... do you ever see anyone go wash their hands? YUK !!
Sneeze in your hand & keep going !! YUK !
Co-workers deserve respect and consideration.