Calling in sick on 4th shift

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I so so wanted to call in sick tonight, but I agonized and agonized over it, and now it's only an hour till change of shift and I think it's not cool to call in sick on such short notice.

Do people ever call in sick for exhaustion? I had such a hard night last night and my whole body aches. Moving hurts. This will also be my 4th scheduled shift this week.

I don't ever call out "late". I do notice that day shift seems to call out with 2 or less hours of notice pretty frequently. Like it's unreasonable for them to be awake by 4 am but night shift is, of course, up by 4 pm.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I think she meant her 4th shift in a week.

I REALLY need another cup of coffee....... :)

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Specializes in Primary Care, OR.
I'm curious as to which shift is '4th' shift?

Haha I was thinking the same thing!!! Bahhhh night shift brain:sleep:

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

If you're so exhausted that you wouldn't beable to provide safe patient care, yes I'd say call in but do it well in advance. If you're just typical this is my 4th 12 in a row (which is more like 14) make a mental note not to do it again, lol.

Then there is always the question as to why are you exhausted if its not typical for you. Obviously you wen't to work so its moot now but often times when I feel like that its because I'm coming down with someone.

IMO 4 12's in a row isn't safe, or good for you.

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Sorry, by 4th shift, I meant 4th shift that week. My hospital requires a 4th shift every other week.

As for fixing my sleep schedule, I go to bed after I eat and shower. I don't stay up all morning doing random things. But that morning I had been at work until 9:30 finishing up my charting, so I didn't get to bed until about 10:30. I do work 12s. I know that a lot of people consider going to bed at 10:30 early, but it takes me awhile to fall asleep in the morning, even when I'm exhausted.

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If you have the leave time use it but don't hesitate to the last minute, sometimes I know before I even leave work I will be calling off the next day.

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

I work the three twelves a week assignment, but don't you just LOVE when our weeks go Sunday to Saturday on paper...and the days all roll together. So actually we end up working four days in a row or more. :no: It is not fun....ugg.

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Off topic: sunnychris CUTEST baby!!

Now that that's out of the way, I agree with glycerine82. Maybe your are just stressed. It could also be something else. You might want to go to your doc. If everything checks out ok, consider getting off of nights.

Hope you feel better soon.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Sorry, by 4th shift, I meant 4th shift that week. My hospital requires a 4th shift every other week.

As for fixing my sleep schedule, I go to bed after I eat and shower. I don't stay up all morning doing random things. But that morning I had been at work until 9:30 finishing up my charting, so I didn't get to bed until about 10:30. I do work 12s. I know that a lot of people consider going to bed at 10:30 early, but it takes me awhile to fall asleep in the morning, even when I'm exhausted.

Could you eat breakfast at work and shower AFTER sleeping? That's what I did when I worked nights. Breakfast at 6am then once shift is over, drive straight home, brush teeth and crash by 8. Wake up 4/4:30ish, shower, maybe eat lunch and get ready for next shift.

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.
Sorry, by 4th shift, I meant 4th shift that week. My hospital requires a 4th shift every other week.

As for fixing my sleep schedule, I go to bed after I eat and shower. I don't stay up all morning doing random things. But that morning I had been at work until 9:30 finishing up my charting, so I didn't get to bed until about 10:30. I do work 12s. I know that a lot of people consider going to bed at 10:30 early, but it takes me awhile to fall asleep in the morning, even when I'm exhausted.

Early?! Damn, thats like me going to bed at 1030 PM after a 12 and I'm lucky to see 9pm! Thats like.....7 hours of sleep...not enough for me. !!

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.
Could you eat breakfast at work and shower AFTER sleeping? That's what I did when I worked nights. Breakfast at 6am then once shift is over, drive straight home, brush teeth and crash by 8. Wake up 4/4:30ish, shower, maybe eat lunch and get ready for next shift.

I can't imagine crawling into bed with hospital germs on me, lol. Im usually smelly and sweaty and god knows what else by the end of the day. I'd never sleep knowing i was infested LOL

Thats just me though.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

^Agree.

When I worked nights, I would eat breakfast before I got home, shower, and slept..I had heavy dark curtains, and an eye mask....if I needed to, eat plugs as well; phone off or in vibrate.

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