dreading going back to work tomorrow

[fallinnstyle]

I had the worst day at work yesterday. I mean it was enough to make me consider quitting nursing immediately and return to my business roots.

Anyways, by the time I left yesterday night, I knew that I needed decompression time so I 'called in' for today's morning shift to the supervisor. She took me off the schedule and told me to go home and take it easy.

Well this morning, the ADON calls and tells me that I have to come into work and cant call in for today. I let her leave the message in my voicemail and did not bother to call her back seeing as I had no plans to go into work today and not in a mood to argue with her.

I am due back to work in the morning and am dreading it. I am sure I will written up, maybe even put on suspension since I called in on a 'pick up' shift. (It was an extra shift for me that I signed up for). I just know I NEEDED not to be at work today and feel no guilt about it, am just trying to prepare for the outcome.

Should I sign the write up even though I did call in with plenty of time?

[OCNRN63, RN]

IMO, the ADON was out of line to call you and tell you you had to come in after you had called off. That was inappropriate.

I would refuse to sign a write up, but if I were you, don't worry about that right now. What is of more concern is what was so bad that you feel like you want to quit and go back to your previous career. Was it just a really bad day at work, or is there more going on? (You don't need to explain if you don't want to.)

I hope things work out for you. I know what those sort of days feel like, and it's not a good place to be.

[fallinnstyle]

Hey,

Thanks! I think there just were too many things going wrong in my section all shift. It started out wrong (code right after narc count 1530, resident transferred to hospital via EMS and ended wrong with an unsuccessful code at 2345). I was playing catch up all shift.

[Flying ICU RN]

Write-ups in general

Whenever suddenly presented with a write up of any kind, always print the words "See employees written response" in plain view of your signature.

Then write something brief in response and submit it later (a day or so) when clear headed. Often times you will find that the write-up may in fact be in frank violation of policy, which you can cite in your response.

If you find that you were in fact wrong, submit a brief corrective action plan.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

I say it was inappropriate as well and I wouldn't sign anything. From now on don't tell work you're calling in sick for any other reason then you're sick (even if you're not). They took advantage because they knew you weren't physically sick because you told them.

I have often called in when not sick. When you're at that point of no return when you absolutely have had it; call in sick, but don't tell them. No matter how nice you think they are they will take advantage for their own gain. Nursing is a sometimes crazy, fast paced, demanding profession and you need to protect your sanity at all costs. If that means fibbing about being sick then so be it. You need to keep yourself whole.

[Flying ICU RN]

I say it was inappropriate as well and I wouldn't sign anything. From now on don't tell work you're calling in sick for any other reason then you're sick (even if you're not). They took advantage because they knew you weren't physically sick because you told them.

I have often called in when not sick. When you're at that point of no return when you absolutely have had it; call in sick, but don't tell them. No matter how nice you think they are they will take advantage for their own gain. Nursing is a sometimes crazy, fast paced, demanding profession and you need to protect your sanity at all costs. If that means fibbing about being sick then so be it. You need to keep yourself whole.

Agree with all said here except for one thing. Remember that it's their bat and ball, it's their game, and their rules.

If you want to play, you need to sign the mitt when asked with one exception. When an admission of wrongdoing violates your fifth amendment right of non self incrimination.

[diligent-trooper]

I am sorry you are going through this! I know from my past experience, the worse part is being away from the work place. My bad days seemed to happen over the week-end, or the last day of my three. The more the mind is away, the worse my brain had the tendency to "blow-everything-over-the-top". The situation is seldom as bad as one might believe. Mark Twain wrote: "I had the worse experiences in my life-time, in which most didn't even take place.":eek:

[Mulan]

Agree with all said here except for one thing. Remember that it's their bat and ball, it's their game, and their rules.

If you want to play, you need to sign the mitt when asked with one exception. When an admission of wrongdoing violates your fifth amendment right of non self incrimination.

Isn't any admission of wrong doing self incrimination?

[opensesame]

Everywhere I have worked if you have voluntarily picked up an extra shift and then cancel yourself there are no repercussions. I don't know why anyone could call you at home to try to get you to cover a shift that isn't in your regular hours.

[Flying ICU RN]

Isn't any admission of wrong doing self incrimination?

Yes, but in the second part of post #5, I'm referring to criminal, or professional wrong doing, not a minor faux pas with your employer over time and attendance and such.

I should have been a bit more clear, my apologies.

[caliotter3]

Everywhere I have worked if you have voluntarily picked up an extra shift and then cancel yourself there are no repercussions. I don't know why anyone could call you at home to try to get you to cover a shift that isn't in your regular hours.

Either the person calling wasn't aware that this was an extra shift or there was some other miscommunication. I would not be eager to sign a write-up over this either.

[resumecpr]

Perhaps you should start thinking about the possibility of NOT being written up.