charge nurse tried to make me go to work with allergic reaction

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So today I accidentally ate something that had sulfites in it, and I am allergic to them. Luckily, I'm not so bad off that I immediately go into shock, but I had to take a ton of antihistamines, far more than usual, with the blessing of my allergy doctor, to stay out of the hospital. As of right now, I still don't feel well and am displaying mild allergy symptoms.

I called in to work, today was to be my first day by myself as a CNA. While on the phone the charge nurse belittled my decision to stay home because of my allergies and the heartburn that was accompanying them. I was not thrilled that she wanted me to list so many symptoms and even less than thrilled when she belittled my decision and acted put out that I was not coming in.

My previous allergy doctor (I just moved, he is in another state now) ordered me to NOT work when displaying out of control allergy symptoms--even more so when I accidentally consume sulfites or naproxen. My last two employers would not let me work at all with an allergic reaction, no matter how mild (one was a hospital, the other a law firm). They did not want to deal with the liability or the potential of me being taken out on a stretcher to an ER.

I told several family and friends about this and their recommendation was to go to HR to ask how much should be disclosed to my immediate supervisor, since the charge nurse was so rude about it and expected me to come to work while barely able to function.

I am wondering...would going to HR be a good idea, or should I just go to my supervisor? I carry an epi pen in my purse at all times and am supposed to wear a medic alert bracelet that states I am allergic to sulfites and naproxen. I've also been hospitalized twice in the last 6 months for my allergies, so my allergies are no laughing matter, and I really did not appreciate being belittled over them.

I also disclosed to HR that I have serious, potentially life-threatening allergies upon hire. So it is not like HR is unaware.

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Oooh. Chill.

What happened has happened. Try to give it a rest. You are new and need to prove you're a team player and under most circumstances can be counted upon.

Everyone has allergies. You know whether yours are severe and debilitating. Your charge nurse mainly knows that she was counting on you and now has to cover a bunch of patients with fewer staff members. Give her a break. She isn't out to discriminate against you. And stop being defensive. (Do you realize how many times you used the word "belittle"?)

Furthermore, if I really wanted to make this charge nurse believe in me, I would acknowledge that this was a problem for the staff and the patients, that I was sorry it happened, and would try to explain to her how I was going to make sure it didn't happen again. I know this is overkill... but do you want this job long-term or not?

Consider, if you will... for you its allergies. For someone else its debilitating migraines or an autoimmune disease, or delinquent, anti-social children, or a bad divorce, or diabetes. Everyone has hurtles they have to surmount and we still have to form a team and get the job done.

Get over this episode, avoid your allergens and hit the ground running.

Make a huge deal over this and you're toast. Maybe it's not fair... but that's how it is.

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

Um, i'm finding this situation a little weird. Just because you said that you don't go into shock when exposed to an allergen but yet you told HR you have a "life threatening allergy"

I have a severe allergy to bee stings, i went into anaphylaxis when i was 12....this is a TRUE life threatening allergy.

My fiance is allergic to red dye, so anytime he is exposed to red dye in foods (such as red popsicles, red jello etc.) he gets an upset stomach. This is an allergy, but its not a life threatening allergy.

So...i don't know what happens to you when you have an allergic reaction. And there really is no need to take "a ton of antihistamines" One antihistamine should do the trick.

HR really can't do anything about this? So i don't know the benefit of going to HR about anything. This is not really up there ally. If you do wish to go talk to someone it would be your manager.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

If you did need to be "taken to the ER on a stretcher", wouldn't you be better off already being at the hospital rather than at home? My only concern would be if the antihistamines impaired your ability to work, other than that you're not contagious and not incapacitated, so personally I'd still expect you to come in to work. (Sorry for not being more sympathetic, it sucks not feeling good while working, but it goes with the territory).

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

you should never really need to take "a ton of antihistamines" you would be out cold. Im surprised you had the energy to even call in and talk after taking "a ton" I get knocked out cold after one!

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
you should never really need to take "a ton of antihistamines" you would be out cold. Im surprised you had the energy to even call in and talk after taking "a ton" I get knocked out cold after one!

Ummm... sometimes you need to... like when exposed to allergens that cause severe rxn. Often the recommendation may be up to 4x what the OTC bottle says. Everyone reacts differently though. 100mg of benadryl doesn't make me sleep. But the FAA won't let a pilot fly a plane on that.

Unless OP was having mental effects from the antihistimne, OP should have gone to work despite feeling crummy. I'd have to be incapacitated/incompetent d/t illness (or contagious) to miss my first day!

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

If you've been hospitalized twice in the last 6 months and have again had a reaction, it seems pretty clear that you are not watching your exposures closely enough. Both sulfites and naproxen and pretty clear determined as to what they are present in. That being said, look at it through the eyes of your charge nurse - you are skipping out on your very first day of work on your own. At the very least, you should offer to work the next day and make a few calls to see if you can swap your shift, as not to leave your floor in a learch.

Should you call HR and make a big stink over this? Well, it does show your true colours that the first time you are questioned over calling out that you are going to sound the alarms and make yourself out to be victimized, so maybe it is wise to clear the air first. Unless that is not really you, in which case i'd take the advice to just let this blow over, watch your diet and prove that you are a dependable employee.

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I have severe allergies as well and take 3 rx strength antihistamines daily (optical, nasal and by mouth). Benadryl and other OTC antihistamines are useless to my reactions, so I understand completely about having to take a ton of antihistamines. I am sympathetic to you, however it was your first day, I would have went to work unless I was going into anaphylaxis or mentally impaired from the antihistamines. To answer your question, I'd go to the supervisor but keep in mind that if she or he has never experienced a severe allergic reaction, he/she may also belittle your decision to call in sick. I'd bring a note from my allergist. Best of luck with your new job!

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Specializes in ED, Informatics, Clinical Analyst.

What kind of allergy symptoms did you have? Saying I have allergies is very vague and could mean you're sneezing or you're in anaphylactic shock. I'm allergic to shrimp and I get angioedema in my eyes and sometimes hives if exposed and in the past I've had to get cortisone eye drops to bring down the swelling. If it got to the point where I needed steroids because my eyes were swollen shut I'd stay home but if all I needed was Benadryl I'd probably go to work.

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

Sorry, I don't care how bad things were through the charge nurse's eyes. But belittling someone because of a call out is completely out of line and is not anyone's place to question with exception of a manager or HR. Yes, when people call out it means that we have to work short but what else is new? Yes, calling out a on your first day off orientation is concerning but life happens.

I would rather someone call out when they're not at 100% than to come in and give poor patient care or even unsafe patient care because they feel so bad that they should have stayed home.

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Specializes in Utilization Review, OB GYN, NICU.

Welcome to healhcare. We really don't get sick days, at my work they are called 'occurances'. All of us go to work when we don't feel our best (unless you are contagious- fever, diarhea, vomiting, etc).

We have to staff the unit. When a sick call comes in, we have to scramble to find a replacement, and sometimes we have to work short after a sick call. You will have some of those days and might understand then. Also, it didn't look good that it was your first day off orientation. Sorry.

If you have more issues, you may need a letter from your allergist. But, I doubt it will get you anywhere.

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I have a severe allergy to bee stings, i went into anaphylaxis when i was 12....this is a TRUE life threatening allergy.

My fiance is allergic to red dye, so anytime he is exposed to red dye in foods (such as red popsicles, red jello etc.) he gets an upset stomach. This is an allergy, but its not a life threatening allergy.

My instructors have stressed that an allergic reaction is one that causes anaphylaxis, everything else (like an upset stomach) is an adverse reaction or side effect, not a true allergy.

Is this what you guys have been taught/believe/practice as well?

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