Exhausted from Covid

Nurses General Nursing

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JBMmom, MSN, NP

4 Articles; 2,537 Posts

Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
6 hours ago, gonzo1 said:

I'm going to take 6 months and see how I feel.  I might stay "retired". 

All the best to you! And enjoy your retirement, whatever form it takes. Glad you were able to make a decision that makes you happy. 

No way they can keep your PTO. You earned it. Keep us posted.

JBMmom, MSN, NP

4 Articles; 2,537 Posts

Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
26 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

No way they can keep your PTO.

I believe it's in my contract that if I do not give three weeks notice before resigning, I forfeit my PTO time. I hope that's not the case for gonzo!

Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

I’m glad I don’t feel this way alone. I’m burned out and beaten down. I feel guilty because my coworkers are in the same trenches but they’re still muddling through.

The California Department of Public Health released their recommendations that healthcare workers that test positive for covid can still go to work if they are asymptomatic, if mild symptoms they only need to quarantine for 5 days, to alleviate the staffing shortages. We’re just bodies. They don’t care about us, and they don’t really care about the patients if this is the solution they came up with. These were already problems before the pandemic but the pandemic exacerbated it.

I’m glad I got covid right before Christmas and was made to quarantine a full 10 days. But what kind of messed up situation is it that anyone can utter the words “I’m glad I got covid” with all seriousness.

I’m on vacation that was already out on the schedule before this last surge started, so they couldn’t take it back. It makes me sad that I low key want someone in my group to get covid (just mild symptoms like I had) so we would be forced to quarantine abroad and I can’t be denied not coming to work because I can’t get back into the country. It makes me sad and ashamed to have these thoughts, but I’ve never hated going to work more ever in my life.

Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.
On 1/12/2022 at 4:07 AM, gonzo1 said:

Thanks for all the advice.  After talking to my PCP today I went home and sent an email to my immediate supervisor and HR.  I did something I never imagined doing, but I wrote a nice short email thanking them for the time I worked there and stating I was putting in my notice resigning immediately.

So I guess we will see what happens, if they keep my PTO and whatever, but I knew I couldn't go back.

Infusion nurse sounds awesome.  I'm going to take 6 months and see how I feel.  I might stay "retired". 

GOOD FOR YOU!!!  I truly wish you all the best!

JBMmom, MSN, NP

4 Articles; 2,537 Posts

Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
7 hours ago, SquishyRN said:

It makes me sad and ashamed to have these thoughts

We've all had days where we want to get away. I'm glad that your symptoms were mild and you can now enjoy some of your time off. Take care of yourself!

gonzo1, ASN, RN

1,739 Posts

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Actually, my symptoms weren't mild.  They were and still are bad, but getting better.  Turns out I won't get my PTO 130 hours because I didn't give 2 weeks notice. 

But I asked for help FMLA and got pushback, so I gave up and politely resigned effective immediately.  It's all good.  It's in the hands of God and that's enough for me.  I love Allnurses and have gotten and gave some good advice over the years.  Thanks to all of you.

JBMmom, MSN, NP

4 Articles; 2,537 Posts

Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
23 hours ago, gonzo1 said:

Actually, my symptoms weren't mild.

I was quoting another poster that said their symptoms were mild.

I hope that you're fully recovered soon! That's awful that you won't get your PTO, I think my organization has the same rule that without two weeks notice you forfeit that payment, but your health is more important. Take  care of yourself, hope you're fully recovered soon!

allnurses Guide

hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I

4 Articles; 5,049 Posts

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 1/10/2022 at 7:00 AM, gonzo1 said:

 Wanted to do FMLA for a break but got a lot of pushback.  

I don't understand this pushback. Your personal physician diagnosis you with a medical possibly stress related condition and takes you off work. Your employer can't legally push back and they must keep a position  open for your return. Remember you must exhaust your PTO before you can collect disability. This time last year I was completely stressed out and done. There were a number of factor's both health and stress related. Went to the ER twice for extremely low blood sugar  due to not getting breaks. So last February I ended up taking a month off. I had so much PTO saved that I didn't miss a beat with regard to pay and when I returned to work they were so happy to have me. As a upside I now get my breaks. 

Moral is : No one else is going to practice self-care for you and if you died tomorrow there would be someone in your assignment the next day

Hppy

Laine

25 Posts

Specializes in Varied.

I would do FMLA, while deciding your next steps. I did that once, after being traumatized at a job and spent two months looking for something better.  I found it and spent the next 20 years in the new job, which I have loved.

It doesn't matter if your employer doesn't want you to do FMLA, it's between you and your doctor. 

Thank you for your hard work and I hope your next chapter is amazing!

JerzeeMike

40 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Department, Rehabilitation.

Do what is right for you. If you work yourself to exhaustion and breakdown they won’t even give you time to recover without pestering you about coming back. If there’s one thing we, as nurses, have learned from COVID is that employers could care less about you, your health or your family. I say quit if you need to and take an agency job and make them pay through the nose for your time. They don’t care about us so why are we still caring about them?

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I can tell you aren't even upset about losing 130 hours of PTO, which speaks volumes about the relief you feel. You have been such a sensible mainstay here for so many years, it saddens me to see wonderful nurses like you and Emergent get so beat down, and then it encourages my soul when you all stand up and say you have had enough. Good for you!! 

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