Feeling guilty about calling in sick.

[Becca, RN]

I rarely call in sick. But last night I had to call in very last minute (about 45 minutes before my shift) and I feel so guilty. I work nights so I work up with what felt like heartburn and took a tums. I was getting ready to leave when I had an episode of diarrhea but didn't think it was a big deal because I felt better after. Then I got in my car and was driving to work. As I was driving the cramping in my stomach got worse and worse and I felt so nauseated. I knew I wasn't going to be able to care for patients that way....

SO I called my charge and let her know and I apologized PROFUSELY cause I felt so bad because it was so last minute!! I turned my car around and on my way home I had to pull over because of the pain and dry heaving. I spent my night on and off the toilet and in misery...but I still feel overwhelmingly guilty...I feel like everyone is so mad at me. Especially since the call in was so last minute and my fellow nurses had to work one man down...I feel terrible.

I should also mention that I am a new grad, I've been working for about 7 months on a postpartum/pediatrics unit. Also, since I have started working nights I have never been more sick, Ive had to call in one other time thanks to a fever and a bad cold. I hate having to call in, I always feel so guilty.

Should I feel this way? Is this normal to feel like that? Has anyone else experienced more sicknesses as they are working nights?

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

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.

[OCRN3]

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.

[Farawyn]

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

I hope you stay well.

[MissBigApple]

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

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

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!!

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

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!

[OBwonKnewbie]

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

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

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.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

And, also, how can you be considered a "no call no show" if you call?

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.

[OBwonKnewbie]

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

[HopefulRN7]

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...