Check on Each Other!

[bagladyrn, RN]

I just want to remind everyone to touch base and check in on your fellow travelers.

We just had a tragic situation occur here when a traveler who had called in sick during the week didn't show up for her scheduled shift. When the hospital had the police do a welfare check on her she was found dead in her apartment.

This made me think about how long it would be before anyone noticed a problem with any of us if we are not scheduled to work. Not being a part of the community or near relatives, it sometimes can be days when we don't talk to anyone.

At the very least be sure that someone at home knows who to contact if they are unable to get in touch with you.

[Maynmom]

I can't agree with you more. I am totally alone out here and I think about those types of situations all the time. I'm not proud to admit this but I actually left an assignment and flew back home in the middle of the night (CA to NY) because I got very sick. I don't remember being that sick or scared that I was so sick... Because I have never been that sick. I was in bed for 2 weeks when I got home and weak for about another month. Whatever I contracted was virulent. I got sick 4 days in. My son got sick 4 days after I arrived home and my sister got sick 4 days after that. I make it a point to check with family at least every 1 to 2 days and just pray for the best.