Feeling guilty for call in

[snh2009]

I work in a rural hospital and of course Joint Commission is here, and I found out my mother is in the hospital yesterday, in the biggest town we have. It is about an hour away from us and I called in today because visitation hours are only 12-8, which I can’t make after work. She told me the doctor wants to talk with me ( she is forgetful and I go to all her appts with her.) I am her main support. I kinda felt guilty because I know that it was already a tight staff schedule.  Am I wrong for calling in today? Why do I feel so guilty? Worried that this will looked down upon later. 

[caliotter3]

Don't worry about what they think.  If you knew how many people "get sick" when Joint Commission is known to be entering the house, you would see that your legitimate reason for missing work does not pose the same problem.  If anyone says anything to you, tell them that your poor mother did not ask permission of the Commission to become ill, it just happened.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

55 minutes ago, snh2009 said: Am I wrong for calling in today? Why do I feel so guilty? Worried that this will looked down upon later. 

No, nope, nah, naw, noooooo you are not wrong for calling in today. Please stop, do not put that weight on your shoulders. Do what is best for you and your mother. 

[TriciaJ, RN]

How could you have gone to work and looked after other people's mothers, all the while wondering what was happening with yours?  If your mother had had a bad outcome you'd have never forgiven yourself.

It's just a job.  You may have many jobs in your lifetime.  You only have one mother and you won't have her forever.  Your first obligation is to her.

Joint Commission is a big racket anyway.  For once you don't have to be there jumping through hoops.

[Sour Lemon]

5 hours ago, snh2009 said:

I work in a rural hospital and of course Joint Commission is here, and I found out my mother is in the hospital yesterday, in the biggest town we have. It is about an hour away from us and I called in today because visitation hours are only 12-8, which I can’t make after work. She told me the doctor wants to talk with me ( she is forgetful and I go to all her appts with her.) I am her main support. I kinda felt guilty because I know that it was already a tight staff schedule.  Am I wrong for calling in today? Why do I feel so guilty? Worried that this will looked down upon later. 

I probably would have called to provide any needed information and then headed over to visit the next day. I would only have called in if the situation with the relative was critical, or if I needed to sit at the relative's bedside for safety reasons. We all have different philosophies when it comes to these sorts of things, though. And in general, I think AFTER you've already called off, work should not cross your mind at all until you're required to return.