Calling out sick. How much notice?

[Kitty Hawk]

Since I'm still in orientation, I'm not leaving anyone short staffed.

I haven't been sick like this in over a year. I've learned when I'm sick, I'm not pushing it...it only goes to something worse and takes that much longer. I used to practically need to be on a stretcher before calling off, but that's ridiculous...still working on the guilt part but getting there.

Unless a miracle happens between now and then there's no way I can make it. I'm scheduled to go in tomorrow at 7am. Do I call tonight sometime or wait until 6am tomorrow?

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Where I am, one has to call out for dayshift, by 0500, evenings by 0900, 12-hour nights (19-07) by 1300, and 8hr nights (23-07) by 1700. I broke that rule a few days ago when I was in an accident that involved flipping my truck on the highway while driving into work. I had to call in at 1800 for the whole night, since I was taking a ride with the nice EMS people to get a trauma workup at the ED.

Mostly, it's decent to call in as soon as you know you're going to be out. Good to see that you did, and hope you feel better soon.

[pers]

We are required to call in two hours before the shift starts. I always call off as soon as I don't think I'll be able to go. If it's really early, I go ahead and call off but let them know I will call back in later if I am feeling better and can make it in.

I once called off around noon for an 11-7 shift and the supervisor said they were short and wondered if after taking meds and resting if I might possibly feel up to working, I told her I doubted it and to find someone else but would call back when I woke up to let her know how I was feeling. I slept through my alarm and didn't get up till 9:20, when I called in there was a different supervisor on and she was furious I was calling off so late. I explained that I had already called off to the previous supervisor and was calling in as a courtesy but apparently my call off wasn't passed on. Since then, I won't call in to tell them I'm still not feeling better but I will call in if it turns out I'll be able to work after all.

[RNMeg]

My facility requires at least 2 hours' notice (unless it's something like a car accident on the way in to work), but they prefer as much notice as possible. I'm glad this thread came up, I'm also on orientation and feeling sick. I'm going to go in tonight, though, because I haven't had a fever - just sinus congestion. One extra-strength 12-hour Sudafed, and I'll be all set

[OttawaRPN]

Many facilities keep track of certain symptoms for infection control purposes, ie) N/V/D or cough, temp, etc... otherwise it's none of their bleeping business.

Besides... every single nurse has, at some point in their career, called in sick without actually being sick, and I wouldn't believe anyone who tried to tell me otherwise.

[OCNRN63, RN]

OttawaRPN said:

Many facilities keep track of certain symptoms for infection control purposes, ie) N/V/D or cough, temp, etc... otherwise it's none of their bleeping business.

Besides... every single nurse has, at some point in their career, called in sick without actually being sick, and I wouldn't believe anyone who tried to tell me otherwise.

Personally, I think that's just a line they use. What are they really going to do with that information? It's not like they start treating staff prophylactically if they see a trend in a particular illness. IMO, it's used as a way to intimidate staff into not calling in/supervisors being Nosey Parkers. "I'm sick" should suffice.

[shiccy]

We have a minimum of 2 hours to call off. This allows for people to be found to cover.

Even though you're in orientation, you're expected to be there. You're also suppose to be held to the standards set forth for others in your position. Call in with at least two hours, or if you know you're not going to be well in the AM, just call off that night. I've done this before when I know I'm not going to make it, and I just explain, "I want you to know now so that you at least have the ability to call people if they'd be interested in filling in.

... Obv. the last part you wouldn't need since you're still in the orientation gig, but it's still being considerate

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Kitty Hawk said:

Wow that's nuts. So you'd be expected to wake up at 4am to call out for 7am.

That's not an uncommon policy. Where I work, we have to call out at least two hours prior to a weekday day shift and four hours prior to evenings, nights and ANY weekend shift. So if I want to call out sick on, say, a Saturday day I will have to call by 3am. The earlier notice you can give them, the better...otherwise, keep in mind your facility's guidelines for when to call out and stick to them.

I know if there's a chance I'll be too sick to go in I'll set my alarm to go off a bit earlier so I can call out I need to. Sometimes I'm too sick and call out. Other times, I just hit snooze and proceed as usual.

[Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN]

Meriwhen said:

That's not an uncommon policy. Where I work, we have to call out at least two hours prior to a weekday day shift and four hours prior to evenings, nights and ANY weekend shift. So if I want to call out sick on, say, a Saturday day I will have to call by 3am. The earlier notice you can give them, the better...otherwise, keep in mind your facility's guidelines for when to call out and stick to them.

I know if there's a chance I'll be too sick to go in I'll set my alarm to go off a bit earlier so I can call out I need to. Sometimes I'm too sick and call out. Other times, I just hit snooze and proceed as usual.

Thanks, I plan to get clarification on what they prefer. That's one of those things that I think I don't need to know that upfront b/c I don't like to call off. But life happens and you need the info so....

And if anyone thinks I think it's okay b/c I'm on orientation so it's no big deal. I don't think that at all. I know I'm costing them money, there or not. I just know when I'm not up to the task, it does more harm than good. I do feel a *tad* less guilt b/c I am on orientation and therefore not putting them in a real bind, but only a *tad* I'd still rather go if I could.

I napped and actually feel worse, so I think I called this one right.

[Fiona59]

OttawaRPN said:

Many facilities keep track of certain symptoms for infection control purposes, ie) N/V/D or cough, temp, etc... otherwise it's none of their bleeping business.

Besides... every single nurse has, at some point in their career, called in sick without actually being sick, and I wouldn't believe anyone who tried to tell me otherwise.

Under the terms of my union contract, we just say we're sick. Anything after two days requires a Drs. note. It really is none of their business. If it's the cold/flu/sore throat thingie, they can usually here it.

I think I feel a "mental health" day coming on. And yes, our manager knows what that is and knows that we all need them every so often.

[OttawaRPN]

Fiona59 said:

Under the terms of my union contract, we just say we're sick. Anything after two days requires a Drs. note. It really is none of their business. If it's the cold/flu/sore throat thingie, they can usually here it.

I think I feel a "mental health" day coming on. And yes, our manager knows what that is and knows that we all need them every so often.

Mental health days yes... but what about the I-need-to-go-out-and-party-tonight days?

Well, I guess those are good for mental health too. :cheers:

During flu season, one my hospitals actually requires staff to call an in-house "flu line" when sick to report any flu like symptoms to OH, in addition to calling the staffing office and nurse manager. Needless to say... I've never felt the need to succumb to these futile pressure tactics.

[pippylockstocking]

It could depend on the place that you work. I've already called of way in advance thinking I was doing the right thing, but they didn't like that. They thought it was suspicious. I guess they think that in 12 hours you may recover and could come to work. LOL I've learned that the best time frame to call off is like anywhere from 3-5 hours notice.

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

That seems crazy to me that some of you have to call out 4-6 hours before an evening or night shift but only 2 hours before day shift? Why is that, and how is that fair? Just like a day shift person doesn't get up till 4-5am, a night person (esp if worked night before), won't be getting up by 1pm to know if they are sick for that night! Where I work, you have to call at least 2 hours prior to your shift, for all shifts.

Is this 4-6 hrs for evening/night shift a common policy?