Calling in sick: how do you decide?

Youda · Oct 7, 2002

The last time I called in (not counting the leave of absence I'm on), I was well . . . there is no way to put this delicately. Let's just say I had the flu. A real bad case of the flu. OK?

The witch who answered said, Do you realize you're going to have to work your next weekend off if you call in today? I said, well, since I only work weekends, I was kinda planning on it! (DUH)

Well, are you going to come in if I can't find a replacement? Well, no! If I could come to work at all, I wouldn't be callling in now, would I? (DUH)

Well, have you been to the doctor and gotten an excuse? Well, I don't usually go to the ER for diarrhea, do you? (DUH)

You get the idea how it went! The only thing that made the flu enjoyable was learning that this witch had to work my shift because no one would come in! LOL!

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2002

If I feel as if I am contagious in any form or fashion-I stay home.

If I am still unsure if I should go in or not I ask myself or my husband, "Would you want someone who looks/sounds like this taking care of you?"If it is no-I stay HOME!

:)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 7, 2002

Oh yeah, don't you love it when management tells you to bring in a doctor's excuse if you're sick for more than 24 hrs. or call in more than once a month, etc. I don't know about anyone else, but I sure as hell can't afford to go to the doctor for every little head cold or migraine headache. Workplaces that treat their employees this way obviously have very little regard for them as responsible adults (kinda reminds me of when I was in elementary school and had to bring in a note from my parents every time I missed a day). Not to mention their pocketbooks---who wants to pay $75 for an office visit just to be told you've got a cold that will get better in a week if you treat it and in 7 days if you don't??? Gimme a break!!!!!

kids · Oct 7, 2002

Well......

I showed up for work at 10pm...the Mom heard me coughing as I knocked & walked in...and sent me home :) She didn't want to hear I've been on abx for 2 days and actually feel better.

Theres a reason why I only[\I] work this case (unless it is an emergancy)...I love the kiddo....and the Mom.

rebelwaclause, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by Patsfan
If you are sick you should stay home. The patients and your fellow workers will aprreciate not picking up your germs.

^5 Patsfan

SheilaK · Oct 7, 2002

I have called off 2 times in the past year, both times were for a week. In May I had my gallbladder go and had to have it taken out. Had the surgery on my birthday. I thought it was a nice present to me - stopped the pain. LOL Then last month sleep apnea got the better of me and until I got my CPAP, I was off work - was so d@#$ tired I couldn't trust my judgement. Feel great now. Amazing how much more energy I have, not to meantion how much more alert I am - a little sleep does the body wonders.

nakitamoon · Oct 7, 2002

Unless I have a high temp~ or vomiting,,,, I go in to work ~~ sigh

I feel I have to set example to my staff~ who seem to wake up with I don't feel like going to work,, and do not hesitate to call in,,, & then there is the quilt I place on myself,,,,,,

I will not hestitate to go home,,, but at least I make attempt to show up,,,, do what I need to then leave,,,

Unless you are contagious,,, we need your body!!!! lol,,, I ask my staff to at least try to make it in,,,, If you are really sick,,, I get you home asap~,,,,

~~kitamoon

Trauma Columnist · Oct 7, 2002

Fortunately, I'm very healthy. I have called in twice in the last 20 years - both times when son was in ICU. Having worked in ER for many years - I'm probably immune to everything. (Knock on wood).

live4today, RN · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by Youda
The last time I called in (not counting the leave of absence I'm on), I was well . . . there is no way to put this delicately. Let's just say I had the flu. A real bad case of the flu. OK?

The witch who answered said, Do you realize you're going to have to work your next weekend off if you call in today? I said, well, since I only work weekends, I was kinda planning on it! (DUH)

Well, are you going to come in if I can't find a replacement? Well, no! If I could come to work at all, I wouldn't be callling in now, would I? (DUH)

Well, have you been to the doctor and gotten an excuse? Well, I don't usually go to the ER for diarrhea, do you? (DUH)

You get the idea how it went! The only thing that made the flu enjoyable was learning that this witch had to work my shift because no one would come in! LOL!

Girl I love you......:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :kiss

live4today, RN · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by mjlrn97
Oh yeah, don't you love it when management tells you to bring in a doctor's excuse if you're sick for more than 24 hrs. or call in more than once a month, etc. I don't know about anyone else, but I sure as hell can't afford to go to the doctor for every little head cold or migraine headache. Workplaces that treat their employees this way obviously have very little regard for them as responsible adults (kinda reminds me of when I was in elementary school and had to bring in a note from my parents every time I missed a day). Not to mention their pocketbooks---who wants to pay $75 for an office visit just to be told you've got a cold that will get better in a week if you treat it and in 7 days if you don't??? Gimme a break!!!!!

Right on, mjlrn97!!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :kiss

hapeewendy · Oct 7, 2002

I agree with what most everyone has already said.

I used to feel incredibly guilty about calling in sick to work, debating over and over with myself whether I should , and many times going against my own better judgement and just going in and "muddling through".

Then I realized that I wasnt doing anyone a favour by showing up sick. I was infact putting my already immunosupressed patients at further risk (despite using face masks and the likes) , putting my co workers at risk and also putting my own health at risk by going in when sick.

When you are not feeling good, how can you be expected to care for patients to the full extent of your abilities? When I am at work and healthy I give 110% of myself to my job, dont even try to guilt me into feeling bad when I'm off sick.

I make that choice and no one else has the right to even comment about it . I dont need a peanut gallery questioning the validity of my illness or ailment.

If I call in sick, it is for a good reason, it means that I feel as though I cannot care for my patients the way I want to be able to and should be able to. I will not come into work and give halfassed care just because they "need me there"

if I cannot be replaced the bigger issue of staff availibility needs to be addressed.

as someone with a chronic illness , that flares up on occasion I would appreciate it greatly if my co workers and superiors dont make assumptions about my health or just how sick I may or may not be.

it simply isnt their judgement call, its mine.

save a little of the compassion we give to our patients for eachother....

an ounce of understanding and compassion can go a long way...

and if I call in with diarrhea you better not get snotty at me , otherwise there will be a nice

stool sample on your desk compliments of yours truly....

sputum can also be packed conveniently into a sample bottle ,so watch out about *****ing and moaning about cold/cough symptoms too!

:chuckle

MollyMo · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by bestblondRN
I have to be either at the point that I can't get my head up off the pillow or running a fever--one usually goes with the other for me.

Or sneezing my fool head off or coughing up a lung. Or spending more time on the toilet than off. Or if I'm under doctor's orders to stay home. Other than that, I'll go to work.