Fever and Important Medical Test on Monday...still in orientation! What to do?

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I recently was hired at our local health department as a Public Health nurse.....and LOVE it! :) I have been working for 3 weeks and just recently developed a terrible virus with a high fever. Called in yesterday and today...possibly tomorrow too if this fever continues to linger. I feel terrible and know your probationary period is when they can fire you for anything.

I also am having an urgent colonoscopy on Monday due to rectal bleeding. I have to be rid of this virus......I dont want to be fired and yet I dont want to make my coworkers sick by showing up with a fever. I can barely function...my whole body hurts :uhoh3:

Any advice? I am currently just shadowing another nurse. My orientation period is 6 months long...and they did write 5 days off into my hire letter as needed so I am guessing I would be covered by those?

Any advice would mean a lot!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

If I were your manager, I'd be more likely to discipline you for coming to work sick than for calling in with a legitimate illness. Ask your provider for a note and stay home.

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If I were your manager, I'd be more likely to discipline you for coming to work sick than for calling in with a legitimate illness. Ask your provider for a note and stay home.

I did have the doctor write a note. looks like i will be staying home :( Trying to remind myself that I am not supernurse.

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I've never been written up for calling in sick, but then again I ALWAYS drop the note off as soon as I leave the doctors office. Its been that way for so long that now, I just have the doc fax the note to my job. Since you're still in orientation verify that those five days cover your time off. Just to be on the safe side

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Oh honey, I hate that you are feeling so poorly.

Have you spoken directly with your Nurse Manager? Since you are still sick and you have to be out Monday as well, it would be a good idea to touch base with her and let her know what is going on with you. It is always better for your NM to have a pulse on what's going on than to just call in sick for several days in a row.

It sucks that you are sick during the orientation period of your new (well liked) job. I encourage you to speak with your NM just so she understands how ill you are. I hate that as nurses, we are seemingly interrogated when we call in sick-as if we ARE superhuman!

To add to my suggestion, know that it is far better for your NM to know rather than to surmise.

I hope you feel better soon, honey. And I hope that your colonoscopy goes well (as well as having a tube shoved up your butt can go, anyway...I have had several!) and that your results are good. Having a colonoscopy ON TOP of being sick is no walk in the park.

My thoughts are with you. REST. Don't worry yourself too much. That just runs you down even more.

(((((HUGS)))))

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Oh honey, I hate that you are feeling so poorly.

Have you spoken directly with your Nurse Manager? Since you are still sick and you have to be out Monday as well, it would be a good idea to touch base with her and let her know what is going on with you. It is always better for your NM to have a pulse on what's going on than to just call in sick for several days in a row.

It sucks that you are sick during the orientation period of your new (well liked) job. I encourage you to speak with your NM just so she understands how ill you are. I hate that as nurses, we are seemingly interrogated when we call in sick-as if we ARE superhuman!

To add to my suggestion, know that it is far better for your NM to know rather than to surmise.

I hope you feel better soon, honey. And I hope that your colonoscopy goes well (as well as having a tube shoved up your butt can go, anyway...I have had several!) and that your results are good. Having a colonoscopy ON TOP of being sick is no walk in the park.

My thoughts are with you. REST. Don't worry yourself too much. That just runs you down even more.

(((((HUGS)))))

My nurse manager is out of office until Monday but I did send her an email to let her know what exactly is going on with me. I definitely want to keep her in the loop. I know we are not SUPERNURSES and that illness happens...I have just felt guilty with in being in orientation. I guess I should remember that at least I am not taking on patients yet. That would have made it harder with my absence...transferring my responsibilities. I am just shadowing as of now.

And thank you...this colonoscopy isnt going to be easy :( I will rest and keep my manager informed.

Thank you for your much appreciated advice!

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This is just me. If I'm so sick that I just can't take some ASA or Tylenol and go to work, then I have to stay home. Usually, you feel better once you're up and moving.

Or go in for part of the day and have others remark about how sick you are and let them send you home. Who's in charge while Mgr is away?

Re-schedule the 'oscopy if possible. Like get it done late in the day so you can go to work at least a few hours that day in the morning.

The heck with worrying about making others sick. Would they have that consideration for you? Not where I work. It's q man for himself!

It's not unusual to get sick when you start a new job. You're encountering new bugs on new people in a new setting. That doesn't make it any easier. I wish you good luck.

I advise against telling your boss your personal business.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Oh good. I am glad you sent that email.

Now STOP WORRYING and GET BETTER! Really, what would worrying gain you? Will it change anything? Will it make your illness disappear? Can you magically cure yourself?

Of course not! Stop stressing out and concentrate on getting better. Rest, drink, rest some more. You know the drill. ;)

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Oh good. I am glad you sent that email.

Now STOP WORRYING and GET BETTER! Really, what would worrying gain you? Will it change anything? Will it make your illness disappear? Can you magically cure yourself?

Of course not! Stop stressing out and concentrate on getting better. Rest, drink, rest some more. You know the drill. ;)

Very true......will do :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Oh honey, I hate that you are feeling so poorly.

Have you spoken directly with your Nurse Manager? Since you are still sick and you have to be out Monday as well, it would be a good idea to touch base with her and let her know what is going on with you. It is always better for your NM to have a pulse on what's going on than to just call in sick for several days in a row.

It sucks that you are sick during the orientation period of your new (well liked) job. I encourage you to speak with your NM just so she understands how ill you are. I hate that as nurses, we are seemingly interrogated when we call in sick-as if we ARE superhuman!

To add to my suggestion, know that it is far better for your NM to know rather than to surmise.

I hope you feel better soon, honey. And I hope that your colonoscopy goes well (as well as having a tube shoved up your butt can go, anyway...I have had several!) and that your results are good. Having a colonoscopy ON TOP of being sick is no walk in the park.

My thoughts are with you. REST. Don't worry yourself too much. That just runs you down even more.

(((((HUGS)))))

I second that!!!!! Get Better!!!:redpinkhe

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