Calling off. When is it too much?

[Steven Porter]

Hi everyone. 

  I need some advice. I am a new grad LVN and I've called off 2 days in the past two months and I've only worked this job for a few months. I've been moving and it's been a lot. I was honest with my boss and even offered to work extra shifts. I always called off with 24 hours notice and apologized. 

Do I come off as an unreliable employee? 

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Do you come off as an unreliable employee?  Probably.  One of the beauties of nursing is that you can schedule your movers to come on a weekday (it's cheaper!), request a day off weeks in advance, or trade shifts with a colleague.  Plan your move ahead of time.  If you're good about returning favors, you'll almost find someone willing to trade.

[DallasRN]

I agree with RubyVee.  Everyone has "a lot" to deal with, but when you have a job, you have to set priorities.  I assume your move wasn't an overnight/sudden happening.   Did you discuss time off with your supervisor prior to the move?  If not, why not?  If you ever get to the point of having to do staffing you'll appreciate the fact that 24-hour notice and an apology don't always mean much to those that are (desperately in some cases) trying to find a replacement and/or the staff having to cover for you.

My advice?  Plan your personal activities a bit better and save your call-offs for times when you are truly ill and can't work.  There will be plenty of those episodes in your life.