ADON accused me of faking illness

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 12, 2017

Something has been going around. And unfortunately it got to me around Wednesday. Still, on Thursday I went to work because i know how important it is to be there for our residents and for my coworkers. Around 9am I just couldn't do it anymore and had to leave. My assistant DON accused me of wanting to leave because I was working a diff assignment than usual (even though I've worked that assignment many times before with no prob), at the time I was too sick to care so I let it go. I went home and turns out I had a fever of 101.2 and ended up being in bed all weekend. Only today do I feel a little better and my fever has gone.
Im going to return to work tomorrow but now I'm wondering should I speak to HR about how I was spoken to? I'm a grown woman. And I never call out frivolously. That's not my work ethic. What would you guys do?

Don't go to HR without discussing it with the ADON first. If you cannot discuss it with the ADON, let it go. If you DO discuss it with the ADON, keep emotion out of it. But unless this is a pattern of behavior with the ADON, I'd probably assume that she was having a bad day, too (something has been going around and she's probably having a difficult time staffing the place) and let it go.

Missingyou, CNA · Mar 23, 2017

I have learned the hard way that if you are sick, don't drag yourself into work!

Think of it this way, yes, the resident's/co workers need you, but if you have to drag yourself in feeling sick, you are putting them at risk, not to mention, it is much more difficult to cover a shift because you have to leave early, than if you just called out it the first place! That's probably why you were given a hard time.

Don't be a hero. Call out if you aren't feeling well, if you don't abuse your sick time, there won't be any questions about it. No one ever applauds you for coming in to work when you're sick.

caliotter3 · Mar 23, 2017

I called in one time and was berated by the charge nurse taking the call and told to see a doctor for a note. So I complied and the doctor made me stay home two more days. Sure I was recovered and missed out on pay as well as incurring the cost of the doctor's visit, but I had only done what I was told. The facility had to staff for my added absence because someone was irritated at me for being sick.

NiccoleL · Mar 26, 2017

I've had a similar situation happen to me.

I was a brand new CNA. I was sent to a floor that had a norovirus epidemic. 3 days in, I had the stomach flu too. I couldn't work because of severe fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting. I called in sick-1 day. When I returned, I was immediately sent to Human Resources who had my termination papers drawn up already. Reason: Calling out within 90 days of hire. The only issue was that I had been employed 120 days. After going back and fourth with the human resource manager, she realized her error and pardoned the termination papers.

That was the last I heard of that, but I never forgot that moment. I quickly learned the culture rift between management and staff. I noticed people being written up for trivial things. I soon realized the atmosphere created by management was hostile. They ran a new hire orientation every 3 weeks. I thought that was excessive for a medium sized facility. That was a red flag I ignored. I got out of there as soon as an opportunity presented itself.

In nursing, they have a tendency to "eat the young and new". You would think staff at nursing establishments would be more empathetic towards sick co-workers. Not always true. Management at most places "know of someone who doesn't like to work." Sadly, hard workers sometimes get grouped into that stereotype as well.

Your mentioned an illness was going around at your job. Maybe the DON was pressed for staff because a lot of people called out sick? Maybe she didn't mean to personally offend you. If it was a one time incident, I wouldn't worry.

I'm not excusing her lack of empathy, but being a DON is tough. It's tough keeping patient staff ratio with sickness going around. She may have had a bad day.

However, I will say this. If you notice this bad treatment is a trend, keep your resume updated for other opportunities. I say this because sometimes work moral is poor at certain establishments. These type of places always have a high staff turnover. Often, management isn't appreciative of the help they have. Too add fuel to the fire, senior staff often bully new employees right out the door. As a result, these places constantly run employment ads. Beware of these sort of places. They never correct the real issue.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 26, 2017

I've had a similar situation happen to me.
I was a brand new CNA. I was sent to a floor that had a norovirus epidemic. 3 days in, I had the stomach flu too. I couldn't work because of severe fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting. I called in sick-1 day. When I returned, I was immediately sent to Human Resources who had my termination papers drawn up already. Reason: Calling out within 90 days of hire. The only issue was that I had been employed 120 days. After going back and fourth with the human resource manager, she realized her error and pardoned the termination papers.
That was the last I heard of that, but I never forgot that moment. I quickly learned the culture rift between management and staff. I noticed people being written up for trivial things. I soon realized the atmosphere created by management was hostile. I got out of there as soon as an opportunity presented itself.
In nursing, they have a tendency to "eat the young and new". You would think staff at nursing establishments would be more empathetic towards sick co-workers. Not always true. Management at most places "know of someone who doesn't like to work." Sadly, hard workers sometimes get grouped into that stereotype as well.
Your mentioned an illness was going around at your job. Maybe the DON was pressed for staff because a lot of people called out sick? Maybe she didn't mean to personally offend you. If it was a one time incident, I wouldn't worry.
I'm not excusing her lack of empathy, but being a DON is tough. It's tough keeping patient staff ratio with sickness going around. She may have had a bad day.
However, I will say this. If you notice this bad treatment is a trend, keep your resume updated for other opportunities. I say this because sometimes work moral is poor at certain establishments. These type of places always have a high staff turnover. Often, management isn't appreciative of the help they have. Too add fuel to the fire, senior staff often bully new employees right out the door. As a result, these places constantly run employment ads. Beware of these sort of places. They never correct the real issue.

Horse pucky. Nurses don't eat their young, and if any bullying goes on, it is just as likely to be brand new staff attempting to bully their preceptors. I'm sorry you had issues, but leave NETY out of it.

NiccoleL · Mar 26, 2017

Just stating my observations. My observations are not gospel and all places have unique situations. No need to get upset.

And there is a culture of eating their young in the medical world. There is an entire magazine dedicated to the topic, lol.

Wiggly Litchi · Mar 27, 2017

On the NETY thing; I've worked in a few places - I've never had an issue with the nurses; if anyone's given me a hard time it's other CNAs. Part of the reason why I'm dying to get out of entry level :/.

Amethya · Apr 6, 2017

This is the reason why I have so much trust issues with working at a office, because I feel so bad if I'm seriously sick to miss work, because of my old job they integrated that if you miss work that means you are being lazy and incompetent.