Calling in treats for unit when home sick?

Nurses General Nursing

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I just got back from a 5-day camping trip last week, worked two days, and then came down with one of the worst colds of my life! I had to call in sick yesterday and today, and each day my supervisors sent out desperate sounding emails asking if any RNs would come in to help out.

I don't call in sick often at all, but our census is high and my supervisor has done a really great job balancing the schedule so that we all got the days off we requested. so now I feel bad, and even though there really is no way I could work in the ICU in my current condition, I feel guilty for calling in. Especially because on Thurs I leave for another trip, and this sickness will probably just have gotten better for it.

I I was thinking of calling a bakery to deliver fresh baked cookies for my coworkers this afternoon with a note about how grateful I am to have coworkers who help cover each other like they did for me today and yesterday. I want them to know I appreciate them. I feel bad about having to call in despite being legit sick.

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You have no need to thank your coworkers, or apologize for being ill.

We are professionals. Would a doctor send cookies or flowers to another doctor that covered for him?

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Specializes in Oncology.

Don't. It makes you look guilty. Being sick is part of life, and it happens. Don't apologize. I promise you'll get the short end of that stick some day.

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Not while you're out sick. If you're well enough to be calling in treats then people might question if you're really sick.

If you wanted to show appreciation (though I think a nice thank you when you return would suffice) you can bring something in when you return

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Are you a new nurse? I'm just wondering because I have never heard of any nurse or anyone period wanting to send baked goods to work just because they were sick. It's life, things happen. You can return the favor by picking up shifts for someone when they are sick.

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Thanks for the advice. I don't want to 'look guilty' and I certainly am legitimately sick right now, so I guess I will simply stay home and recover. If someone gets upset at me for calling in this weekend, I can show them my trash bags full of kleenex.

Also, yes, I am a relatively new nurse. I have about 8 months experience at the moment. I used to be a teacher, and when I would get sick and call in as a teacher, I had no trouble with it because I knew they'd get a sub and I had an alternative lesson plan for my students ready to go. But as a nurse at an understaffed hospital, I always feel awful when I call in because I know I'm making it more difficult for my coworkers and supervisors to figure out how to cover for my absence.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

as a manager I would wonder if you are well enough to order the treats are you sick enough to stay home

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This is an interesting viewpoint I hadn't considered... It doesn't take too much effort to log onto a website and type in a credit card and an address for delivery. But I see your point, will not be doing it, and thank you for your advice!

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Not while you're out sick. If you're well enough to be calling in treats then people might question if you're really sick.

If you wanted to show appreciation (though I think a nice thank you when you return would suffice) you can bring something in when you return

Agree with this. If you called in the treats, it would have the opposite effect on me. I would question whether you were truly sick. Better to bring something in when you return.

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One could even wonder if you were not bragging about being off instead of sick.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

Please don't do this! Someone will think "What, is she sending us a big middle finger?" and I know that's not why you are thinking of doing it but there are too many people who are suspicious of someone trying to be unusually nice.

(edited to add: LOL calliotter! double post!)

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Motorcycle Nurse, you said it more colorfully and clearly than I did, but the same thought!

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