Calling in Sick

weirdRN, RN · May 16, 2006

See, I feel bad when I call off. I complain loudly when other people call off and we have to work short, esp on weekends when call offs seem to go through the roof. I have been at the same job for over a year and I have called off twice. Once b/c I really was sick (I think I picked up a stomach bug from one of the residents that vomited pretty much right in my face) and the second time b/c I was scheduled on the day of my ASN baccalareate. No way was I missing Baccalareate! I had told my DON that I could not work that day and she had scheduled me anyway. So, I tried to find my own replacement and when that didn't work out, I called off. My ADON called me FURIOUS that I had called off, When I explained what had happened and she realized that I would be willing to trade with someone if she could find someone to trade with me, she calmed right down. She found someone who would trade with me and all was well. I would say I was fortunate but if the DON had been paying attention, the situation would have never occured.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 16, 2006

A couple years back we were having so many calloffs they decided it was required that we give the reason for our call off or risk being disiplined. I dont care, its really none of their business but whatever, ill tell them if they REALLY feel they need to know. I can give them full details and more information than they ever wanted to know. You do that a couple times and they dont push anymore.

thumperRN · May 16, 2006

I can't say that I've ever been asked "why" when calling in (though it's something I rarely do), BUT I have been asked "why?" when I was called to come in extra because of short staffing/call-ins and couldn't/wouldn't! To me, that IS totally MY business, and I told them just that!!! :angryfire

Mister Chris, MSN, NP · May 16, 2006

I remember once being asked when I phoned in, "well! What is wrong?" and giving them the answer I am in hospital having my appendix out in about one hours time. (And that was the truth.) And they then asked "will you be in tomorrow?" "Should we organize a replacement for that shift too?" I later found out that it was office staff not nurses doing the rostering!

Still no excuse, and I agree it is none of their busines - anyway we are supposed to be responsible people in the health business, we ought to be able to tell if we are sick or not. Isn't that insulting our calling as a nurse and our intelligence?

Mister Chris:specs:

Beary-nice · May 16, 2006

We had many repeat offenders that called in sick waaaay to often if you know what I mean so they had to crack down and now if you call in to the house supr, which has always been the procedure, she has the authority to have you come in to employee health or the ER to be checked over, which has greatly reduced the number of sick calls in fact it way quieted down our repeat offenders...but the rest of us who seldom ever call in and really are SICK...it is bad. I do understand the need to track down infections and control spread though...that was a good point raised up above. (Tweety?:) )

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 16, 2006

If soemone's really rude and pushing for a reason, i'm likely to get graphic on the symptoms. Color, consistency, frequency, smell, and of course my personal favorite details, the backpain from sitting on the toilet and leaning over puking in the trashcan at the same time, and the dwindling supply of TP.

(People usually don't ask anymore after that).

KyPinkRN · May 16, 2006

See, I feel bad when I call off. I complain loudly when other people call off and we have to work short, esp on weekends when call offs seem to go through the roof. I have been at the same job for over a year and I have called off twice. Once b/c I really was sick (I think I picked up a stomach bug from one of the residents that vomited pretty much right in my face) and the second time b/c I was scheduled on the day of my ASN baccalareate. No way was I missing Baccalareate! I had told my DON that I could not work that day and she had scheduled me anyway. So, I tried to find my own replacement and when that didn't work out, I called off. My ADON called me FURIOUS that I had called off, When I explained what had happened and she realized that I would be willing to trade with someone if she could find someone to trade with me, she calmed right down. She found someone who would trade with me and all was well. I would say I was fortunate but if the DON had been paying attention, the situation would have never occured.

:angryfire :nono:

If you're complaining loudly when people call off you are creating a hostile work environment and invading their privacy even more than your employer. I'm sure people have good reason when they call off just like you did... It's not your place to judge them!

wooh, BSN, RN · May 16, 2006

and the dwindling supply of TP.

That will now be added when I'm asked why! (I'd usually stop after the, "And I'm calling from the bathroom because I can't leave it long enough to make the call!")

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · May 16, 2006

A couple years back we were having so many calloffs they decided it was required that we give the reason for our call off or risk being disiplined. I dont care, its really none of their business but whatever, ill tell them if they REALLY feel they need to know. I can give them full details and more information than they ever wanted to know. You do that a couple times and they dont push anymore.

That is SOOOO what I would do, and it wouldn't bother me a bit. Hey - you asked, right? :lol2: :lol2: I'll even DESCRIBE what I threw up if you REEEEEAAAALLLLLLYYYYY need to know. :lol2:

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 16, 2006

We had many repeat offenders that called in sick waaaay to often if you know what I mean so they had to crack down and now if you call in to the house supr, which has always been the procedure, she has the authority to have you come in to employee health or the ER to be checked over, which has greatly reduced the number of sick calls in fact it way quieted down our repeat offenders...but the rest of us who seldom ever call in and really are SICK...it is bad. I do understand the need to track down infections and control spread though...that was a good point raised up above. (Tweety?:) )

Who pays for the ER visits?

RNKITTY04 · May 16, 2006

Ok What do you guys think of this: At my hospital we all get email, company info and whatnot. Recently our DON started listing all the people (nurse&CNA) that call in over the weekend. Is this legal? She then goes on to say that these people need to see their supervisor to schedule a "make-up" day.

I don't know this just seems really over the top to me. Im just waiting for the day my name is listed: Patty called in over the weekend with a yeast infection.

NOT COOL!! :uhoh3:

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 16, 2006

Ok What do you guys think of this: At my hospital we all get email, company info and whatnot. Recently our DON started listing all the people (nurse&CNA) that call in over the weekend. Is this legal? She then goes on to say that these people need to see their supervisor to schedule a "make-up" day.
I don't know this just seems really over the top to me. Im just waiting for the day my name is listed: Patty called in over the weekend with a yeast infection.
NOT COOL!!

The nursing home where a friend of mine makes employees make up their weekend shifts if they call out on a weekend. And not necesarily the next weekend. They schedule you for a weekend that was short staffed. It did cut down on the call outs. They were having a problem with the same people calling out on weekends. (My friend was one of them. She stopped doing it after she had to work 6 weekends in a row) Its unfair to the employees who call in very infrequently though.