Who Cares About Us

[mid2348]

As I write this, I have to pause periodically to cough my brains out. In fact, I'm about the sickest I've ever been in my life. I was diagnosed with pneumonia a few days ago, and wouldn't it figure, this Dx landed on my scheduled weekend. I'm a patient tech, and I work in critical care and telemetry. Now, you would think in a perfect world, that the hospital would prefer to keep employees with pneumonia away from critical patients. But I don't find this to be the case. Actually I can recall countless times employees came to work with strep throat, pink eye, and cold/flu symptoms. And I congratulate them on their willingness to trudge through the halls of Tele, sweating with fevers, coughing all over those of us that are still healthy. The supervisors pretend to not notice that they look like death warmed over. Well, let me get to the point of my post. Initially I went to work at the onset of my illness. And yes I was one of those people coughing all over the healthy. I made it through two days of working while sick, but my condition worsened over my two days off. I went to my doctor, he took x-rays, and he diagnosed me with pneumonia. I called out Saturday and again today. It's their response that irked me, no get better, or sorry to hear you're sick. Just nothing... She isn't the most friendly thing on a good day, but as a fellow human being, you think there might be some hint of kindness. Oh well just wanted to take a moment to vent. Thanks in advance for listening.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

I wish people would use some common sense when it comes to coming to work spewing germs, being febrile, honking and sneezing. One of my co-workers decided to "share" her germs, and I wound up getting very sick and needed to be hospitalized. The illness I acquired from my co-worker, who should have stayed home, did permanent damage to my lungs. I don't know why she came in, since she was so sick she was worthless. She spent most of the shift sitting at the desk. Occasionally she'd get up to answer a call bell and she'd have this hang-dog/martyred look on her face. It still makes me angry, because now I'm on oral meds and inhalers thanks to her foolishness.

Same here, though I didn't have to be hospitalized. The secretary had it for 4-6 weeks and did not wear a mask. I got it and suffered my own 6 weeks, except with a mask on. Constant questions "didn't you get the flu shot?" No, my secretary just didn't feel like wearing a mask and contaminated me and God knows who else.

[Sugarcoma, RN]

I have always worked in environments where I developed friendships with my bosses and coworkers (small offices). We became like family in some cases. I would call in sick and they would inquire about the severity, encourage me to not come back until I felt better, and wish me well. The culture of health-care was a huge shock to me to say the least.

Not only did you commit the horrible sin of calling in but you did so on a weekend no less! How dare you! Your coworkers will give lip-service to the fact that they agree you should stay home but they will gripe the whole short-staffed shift and you better believe they will be looking for those make-up weekend days! Because you came to work sick for a shift anyone who develops illness in the next month or so will blame you for coming in with germs. You cannot win either way. Take your time off, focus on getting better, and do not give your coworkers or management another thought!

[mindlor]

Corporations will exact everything they can from you. Then, once they kill you, they will dance on your grave and then find someone to replace you then repeat the process.

They do not care about you. You are a human resource.

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

RNperdiem, I agree, but it's just disheartening. Honestly, I feel as awful about having to call out as I feel sick. I think about the extra work placed on my co-workers. Hopefully, calling far in advance gave them the opportunity to find coverage for me. Guilty feelings aside, I would have been useless to them in my present condition. I feel short of breath just walking to the next room.

My thoughts also. However instead of being at least grateful for the time they have to get a replacement I got "how do you know you won't feel better". Duh, because I am a nurse and a human being who has a clue about how long it takes to recover from ____ enough to be a productive member of the staff.

[amygarside]

It is really not worth going to work and spreading germs. You may think one is being heroic because you go to work but it is the other way around, you are only harming other people because you can spread viruses. I wish most people would realize this.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I remember going to work because they PLEADED with me to come to work because there would be ONLY one nurse and that would be unsafe...this was a night shift position...loaded up on cold medicines with "day" formulas, tea, citrus fruits soup, things I would have if I was at home...long story short, developed pneumonia, got a Z-pack, stayed out for the week...fast forward three months later, got a verbal warning (which I signed I did not agree) for excessive absence because I had exceeded my minimum days for being absent because I was a float nurse for me staying out more than two days with pneumonia...never MIND that I worked on a vent floor...yeah, I want to cough on my compromised patients...how's that for being a "team player"???

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

It has always been this way in healthcare and I refuse to play it their way!. I do our scheduling and I NEVER get upset when someone calls in sick or needs to be on medical leave I always tell them to get better,feel well and do not worry about a thing. I will say something if someone is working and they are obviously ill. I have had a lot of people sent home. The patients and staff should not have to tolerate this in the work place and sick leave policies almost force employees to come in when they are ill. Many patients and family will complain if we send in an ill nurse.

I was once working with a nurse that was not feeling well and I kept telling her so. I finally convinced her to go see an MD and she had a ruptured appy! The bottom line here is to take care of yourself and NEVER go into work when you are ILL with something contagious or if you cannot perform your job well. PLEASE have no quilt about it either not even a little. Employers should have provisions in place for this problem especially during flu season and the winter mo's. Keep your expectations very low for any kind of caring response because I think many of those that staff units will have the initial response of "what now..another problem to solve". I refuse to go there and tell myself I will figure it out and I always do so no need to be unkind or uncaring nor would I want to be treated that way. That little kindness sure goes a long way!

[T-Bird78]

I bet if you told your pts you had pneumonia they'd complain to the manager and you'd be sent home. Anyway, hope you feel better. I called out once with vomiting x 2 days and the clinical director called and asked if I could at least work a half day. I said no, as I was on my way the the ER to get IV fluids and anitemetics, and she asked if I got done in time could I come on in. I said no again. I know my body and I need a day or two to recover. Plus, it was hyperemesis gravidarum, so it wasn't just me, it was my baby's health at stake. She thought since it wasn't contagious that I'd be okay. Well, the week after my ER visit (the first of 4 total) I was hospitalized for a week, the next week I was in overnight, then on home health for two weeks and wearing a subcu zofran pump for a month. I worked with that pump on and was fine, didn't miss a single day or even come in late/leave early. Three months later, after perfect attendance, I was dinged on my review for "excessive absences" even though those had been covered under FMLA.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry you're sick and hope you're better today.

I also hope your supervisor is not as cold and callous as it sounds.

[LindaBright, MSN]

I wouldn't doubt that the cold response you got was an effect of that person having "been there, done that" and just getting past it. Or, that person just has little people skills, or maybe was busy. Whatever the reason, I'd try not to take it too personally. I'm glad you're taking the time to care for yourself, though, since that's one of the best ways to make sure you aren't burned out (not to mention getting other nurses or patients sick!). Let it roll off your back and focus on your own health.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

staffing is already at a bare minimum. one call off can send it over the edge. i dont get annoyed that some one called off , i get angry that i now have 1-2 extra patients and the hospital still doesnt hire sufficient floats

[jamie876]

Corporations will exact everything they can from you. Then, once they kill you, they will dance on your grave and then find someone to replace you then repeat the process.

They do not care about you. You are a human resource.

I agree! This is a sad and a bad reality

mid2348, I hope you'll get better soon!