Feeling guilty about calling in sick.

I would feel guilty and considered a no-call/no-show if I called in that late. When I call in with more notice, I don't feel guilty, at all.

It is too bad it was last minute, but hey if you are sick you are sick. They don't feel guilty about cancelling you if They are overstuffed right?

I used to get sick all the time when I worked nights, I think it's lowered immunity factor.

New grad, 2 sick calls, one at the last minute?

I hope you stay well.

I'm used to working nights. You're blessed. I hope you stay well.

Hugs!! Last year this one time I was 100% fine, started feeling a little queasy maybe 2/3 of the way through report but not awful. Then maybe 5 min after the PM nurse left, I had to run for the BR and vomit. My charge took report from me and watched my pt until the house float could get up to the unit. I drove 20 minutes home, and it was a struggle not to vomit again before I got to a toilet.

Sometimes these GI things come on that fast, and really you should feel guilty if you DID work sick like that. You don't need to be exposing exhausted new moms to it, and certainly not newborns!

Yes, I def notice a difference in my immune system when working nights. I would seriously try to get off nocs, even if it means working the 8 hr PM shift.

Feel better!!

Do not spend one minute feeling guilty because that would imply that you did something wrong and you did not! You actually did what a professional should do if they knew they were unable to perform to an acceptable standard and/or if they were contagious. So lose that useless emotion!

I would feel guilty and considered a no-call/no-show if I called in that late. When I call in with more notice, I don't feel guilty, at all.

She was feeling ok until she was in the car driving to work, that's when the bad GI stuff happened. I don't call off work for heartburn or for one episode of diarrhea in which I feel better after, do you? In a perfect world she could have given more notice, but life isn't perfect. And, also, how can you be considered a "no call no show" if you call? She wasn't required to be there until 7pm. Granted it was late notice, she still called. The day shift staff still had some opportunity to figure out what to do.

Do not feel bad OP. You were sick. I would only feel guilty if I called off and wasn't really sick

And, also, how can you be considered a "no call no show" if you call? She wasn't required to be there until 7pm.

I have worked at hospitals that have had policies that point you as no call no show if you don't call with 'x' amount time notice. Because, sometimes that much time is needed to figure it out, especially if there are other call ins or other time consuming things going on. I've been in the position like the OP, and just had to take whatever the employer (and my coworkers!) chose to impose on me.

My facility's policy is that calling off has to happen at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled shift. That way, they have time to try to make arrangements with floaters, PRN staff, or whatever else.

Interesting. I'm learning from these threads that I must work for a pretty good place. We are required to give 3 hours notice before our shift to get a single point for a call off, if we call off "late" then we get double points but it is only a "no call no show" if we do just that - don't call and don't show up

Number 6,457 why being a nurse sucks sometimes. Acute gastroenteritis and you're considered a "slacker" because you didn't "foresee" it coming on.

If we all had office jobs, a quick run to the bathroom every 15 mins wouldn't be as bad as disappearing every 15 on a busy unit as a nurse.

I say take the "penalties" your facility imposes on you and call in- way better than having to abandon your pt in a time of crisis and risk having the BON becoming overly familiar with your name.

Just my 2 cents...

It sucks for everyone involved.

In my unit, we had facility mandated ratios in the ICU. A last minute call in would be a BIG deal because coverage must be found. Someone on day shift would probably have to stay over until a PRN or agency nurse could be found. It's always a hardship on those left to deal with a call like that.

On the other hand, most nurses would never call out last minute unless they were truly too ill. So it's a bad deal for both parties.

OP, you're probably going to feel guilty until you don't anymore. As long as this is a ONE time event, I think you're okay. Just try to keep yourself healthy so that you don't become "that nurse." Working night shift is going to make that goal more difficult. So be meticulous with getting rest, exercise, and good nutrition.

Hope you are feeling better!