calling out on christmas...

[naijanurse]

I already feel horrible because I know that I left my coworkers short staffed. I had all the intentions in the world of working today, but here's what happened:

This morning in my sleep deprived state ( I had worked the past 2 nights), I decided it was a good idea to try and cook some breakfast. Well, long story short I grabbed the pot handle with my bare hand and burned myself

pretty bad. Blisters formed almost immediately. Luckily it was my left hand and I'm right handed, but the pain was excruciating. I burned the palm of my hand, my four fingers and my thumb. This happened at 9am, and i was supposed to work tonight 7p-7a. So after dipping my hand in cold water for 2 hours and feeling no relief whatsoever, I called work at 11am for some advice. I talked to charge nurse and told her my situation, and asked

her what I should do. I was more than willing to come into work; I even switched into Christmas so that one of my coworkers could have off today. I have never called out on a holiday before ( I barely call out at all), and to make matters worse, my manager isn't the fondest of me. The charge nurse called the supervisor who said if I was unable to use my hand then I really shouldn't be coming into work, so I called out.

But i still feel horrible, especially since the pain has started to subside and I know that they will be shortstaffed tonight. And I'm dreading having to talk to my manager about this tomorrow, because I have a feeling hat she will be less than understanding. I am planning to go to the doctor's tomorrow to have him look at it and write me a note.

Has anyone else had to call out on a holiday?

[interleukin]

By feeling any guilt whatsoever you perpetuate this perverted scenario wherein nurses think they are ultimately responsible for proper staffing policies.

Get over it and stop this nonsense...if you're sick/hurt call out and forget it.

All this rumination does is guarantee that future nurses will feel this same misplaced guilt and same pressure from management who will continue to view you as a widget, not a sensitive and vulnerable human being.

[statphleb SN]

You take care of yourself first--then worry about work. Hope you feel better soon!:icon_hug:

[BoopRN]

I don't think you should feel bad at all...its not like you planned to burn yourself.

I was scheduled to work this Christmas Eve. My Grandpa passed away on the 23rd. I called within a few hours of his death to say that I would like to take a bereavement day the next day (Christmas Eve). I was dreading making the call already but knew my head wouldn't be in the game to work the next day. When I called and talked to the charge nurse. (17 hours before the scheduled shift) she said "Oh! You're killing us!". It was so inappropriate. I was already feeling sad about my Grandpa and guilty about calling in. She just made it worse! I told her that I was sorry that the timing was bad. I shouldn't have apologized.

Anyways...my point is that you shouldn't feel bad about a situation that is out of your control. I hope your hand heals nicely and that the rest of your holiday was joyful.

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

By feeling any guilt whatsoever you perpetuate this perverted scenario wherein nurses think they are ultimately responsible for proper staffing policies.

Get over it and stop this nonsense...if you're sick/hurt call out and forget it.

All this rumination does is guarantee that future nurses will feel this same misplaced guilt and same pressure from management who will continue to view you as a widget, not a sensitive and vulnerable human being.

I totally agree! To the OP, why did you call your unit again to see how things were??? They will be able to sense your guilt ridden brain when you do that kind of thing, and will continue to question you when you call in sick again because they KNOW you feel guilty and will try to guilt you into coming in when you are not ready.

Dont go back in untill your hand is healed and able to take multiple handwashings. Call in just to tell them you arent coming, and no more. Dont let the manager call you at home. Let voicemail answer it and discuss is when you next call in or go back to work. You should not feel guilty. Maybe I seem like im a pro at calling in sick, but im not trust me. Last time I called in was last February, because I was indeed sick. It just makes me angry when the managers try to make you feel guilty. In truth, you really shouldnt have to tell them whats wrong. I mean, what if you were having a miscarriage and hemoraging, or had really really bad diarrhea cuz you had norwalk, would you really feel obligated to tell them what was wrong? Absolutely not. None of their business. All you need is a doc note if your going to be away for a while. So stop with the guilt!!

[Soph_LPN]

This is why they give us sick days. I would not feel guilty at all, you had a valid reason for calling in sick. I cannot stand people who think it is their business to make you feel quilty for calling in. I called in sick once after 2 years of working at my job, and one nurse felt it was necessary to inform me that she had to come in because I was not there. Foolishness. If you are sick, call in, as long as you have a good reason and do not go over your sick days.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

Accidents can happen on any day of the year, even Christmas.

I am sure you would have been at work rather than burning your hand....it sounds like it was a bad burn and you know just as well as anyone, that burns get easily infected.

[Jeffthenurse]

Take care of yourself first! How could you work a 12 hour shift if you were in pain? Make it up to your manager by working an extra weekend or by working the next two holidays. You're a team-player, you should get some sympathy from your co-workers and manager. It's not like you hurt yourself on purpose.