I never call in sick. I mean, I have gone months and months without calling in sick. One day last week, however, I was legitimately sick, with nausea and vomiting and a low grade fever. I felt like I had no other choice but to call in sick, but I spent the entire day feeling incredibly guilty for not making myself push on and go in to work, especially since I work within a small department where it is very keenly felt whenever someone calls in sick and generally leaves the department short handed.
Has anyone else dealt with this? I guess what I would like to know is how you can NOT feel guilty if you call in sick when you truly are sick. I think part of it is because so many nurses are burned out and hate their jobs and call in sick when they're not necessarily sick, which makes me feel that my boss thinks that I, too, am just playing sick to get a day off.
I always feel really weird after I go back after calling in sick, almost like everyone is thinking, "Liar, liar...how was your day off?", because they had to pick up the slack from me being off, even though they never actually say it and are very nice.
I am not this paranoid in other areas of my life, so why is this such an issue for me? Any thoughts?
I am currently sick. I hardly ever call in, I maybe get sick once a year. I have a great manager, she's gotten lots of per diems, she's great about giving requested time off. I'm a little disappointed when this morning I texted that I still had a high fever >102, she texted me back "Does that mean you're calling in?".
LOL. We as a profession show so much compassion to our patients. Yes, sometimes our sympathy is a big act, but can't we as least fake it for our co-workers?
I am currently sick. I hardly ever call in, I maybe get sick once a year. I have a great manager, she's gotten lots of per diems, she's great about giving requested time off. I'm a little disappointed when this morning I texted that I still had a high fever >102, she texted me back "Does that mean you're calling in?".
LOL. We as a profession show so much compassion to our patients. Yes, sometimes our sympathy is a big act, but can't we as least fake it for our co-workers?
LOL, this was me last week after I started this thread! My boss texted me the evening of the day that I called off sick and asked how I was doing, and if I thought I could work the next day or not. I told her I was still extremely nauseous and couldn't keep anything in my stomach and she was like, "So then should I assume that you won't be in tomorrow either?" I thought, "Oh, no, I'll be there with bells on, and I'll be sure to bring plenty of towels for when I puke all over my patients!" I mean...really????
The guilt must come from the idea that nurses are not allowed to be sick because they will leave their co-workers short staffed, even though in reality, everyone gets sick sometimes. (sigh...)
I'm not a working nurse *yet* but I have felt this way in every single job I've worked. I have been going to the doctor lately and make sure they give me a slip of paper stating I was there, even though my boss says it's not necessary, I still feel I need to prove I was there, LOL
I called in on Saturday night. It's looking like my whole family has the flu despite us all being vaccinated(still awaiting swab results.) So while I did get that twinge I get from my over zealous work ethic, I think my immmunocompromised patients are better off that I did call in.
Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.
I'd rather that my coworkers called in sick rather than having to listen to them cough and hack and sniffle all over the place. Sounds mean but it's true. I WILL chase you with PDI wipes!!
Advice needed. Been at my job for a little over a year, and hadn't had to call off that whole year. Got the flu in November (and I do all my 12s back to back to back) so ended up having to call off 3 days. Still didn't feel that great coming back, but I hate calling off. Fast forward, I'm now home sick with pneumonia (great luck right?). I've called off twice (which apparently counts as one so long as it's consecutive), but I'm still feeling terrible. When I called off today, the nurse manager gave me the long sigh and really? tone. I've only been a nurse for 2 1/2 years total, but new at this hospital, but I don't call off like this. I'm going to play it by ear tomorrow and see how I feel, but I feel like I'm going dirty looks if I call off again. Suggestions/comments??
I have more than 20 years experience and still feel bad about calling off. Last winter I had some sort of bronchitis that I just couldn't shake despite 2 courses of antibiotics and every OTC med on the market. I got sent home 3 times after trying to come in. But every time I called the staffing office all anyone said was "feel better". Ya gotta take care of yourself!
I found out Friday morning I had strep. Started abx at 10am and my sup still had me go to work that night at 11pm. I called them back and confirmed, you know I'm contagious right.... :facepalm
I feel the guilt just like you too but i always remind myself this line "if you can't take care of yourself, what makes you think you can take care of your patient?"
Advice needed. Been at my job for a little over a year, and hadn't had to call off that whole year. Got the flu in November (and I do all my 12s back to back to back) so ended up having to call off 3 days. Still didn't feel that great coming back, but I hate calling off. Fast forward, I'm now home sick with pneumonia (great luck right?). I've called off twice (which apparently counts as one so long as it's consecutive), but I'm still feeling terrible. When I called off today, the nurse manager gave me the long sigh and really? tone. I've only been a nurse for 2 1/2 years total, but new at this hospital, but I don't call off like this. I'm going to play it by ear tomorrow and see how I feel, but I feel like I'm going dirty looks if I call off again. Suggestions/comments??
If you have pneumonia then you've obviously been to a doctor, so I would ask the doctor to give you something confirming that you have pneumonia and should not be around a patient population. The manager may not like it, but he/she can't really argue with that, pneumonia is pretty serious stuff. If they still give you attitude when they know that you have pneumonia, then I feel sorry for you having to work for them!
Ya I always say the same thing, but usually end up going in (probably how I got pneumonia in the first place). I'm just always worried cause I know they won't find extra staff and it's a newer place for me. Thanks guys :)
Specializes in Addictions/Mental Health, Telemetry.
I called off last week because I caught a virus from a coworker who always drags herself to work when she is sick! I had no guilt over this call off! Unless you are the type that calls off for every little thing. Relax.
Emergent, RN
4,300 Posts
I am currently sick. I hardly ever call in, I maybe get sick once a year. I have a great manager, she's gotten lots of per diems, she's great about giving requested time off. I'm a little disappointed when this morning I texted that I still had a high fever >102, she texted me back "Does that mean you're calling in?".
LOL. We as a profession show so much compassion to our patients. Yes, sometimes our sympathy is a big act, but can't we as least fake it for our co-workers?