Feeling sick but don't want to call out on first day of orientation

Flare, ASN, BSN · Nov 17, 2011

if you're running a fever, have frequent vomitting or diarrhea (not caused by narves from new job) then you may want to consider calling your manager and explaining the situation. If it is just a case of you feeling crappy but no fever or etc, then i'd probably just suck it up and go in.

JerseyBSN · Nov 17, 2011

I was going to say the same. If you have a fever, diarrhea or vomiting stay home. If not, suck it up, and get through it. Good Luck!

Tankweti · Nov 17, 2011

If it was me, I would show up, let them see how sick I am and then have them elect to say "go home".

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2011

I'd drag my IV pole behind me.

bubblymom373 · Nov 17, 2011

I would haul my butt in and try to work. Then if you still feel bad later,you can ask to go home, but at least they see that you made an attempt.

Despareux · Nov 17, 2011

I would go. Take something to make you feel better and drink lots of water throughout the day. If that doesn't help, then it will probably show and you will be sent home.

I hope you feel better very soon.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2011

then it will probably show and you will be sent home.

:lol2:

Sorry, my cynicism is showing.

leslie :-D · Nov 17, 2011

when i was new nurse and got my first job, within the 1st week i came down very sick.)

i went to work with a 103 temp and insisted to the DON (who had noticed i didn't look so good) i was fine.

she ordered me to get checked out, i finally went to the dr after work...

who wanted to hospitalize me (i was acutely dehydrated and lost 10 lbs in few days).

my point being, i didn't dare call out of work.

as sue said, i would've dragged my iv pole with me.

is it the 'right' decision?

i have no idea.

but because of the fierce and often brutal reputation of nsg, combined with what i was taught in school (NEVER call in), i didn't dare call out.

as a nurse, it's not as cut and dried, as it would be in other professions.

hoping you feel better.

leslie

OCNRN63, RN · Nov 17, 2011

If I were a patient and had a nurse come in to take care of me looking sick as a dog, I would ask for another nurse. I'm immunocompromised; I don't need your germs.

maelstrom143 · Nov 17, 2011

If no diarrhea, fever, n/v, just feeling sick, go in, do your shift, use a mask when coming into contact w/patients for their safety. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before and after doing anything.

I have done that before, worked fine.

Good luck. Hope you have a great shift.

MomRN0913 · Nov 17, 2011

Go in. If you are that sick, they will tell you to go home. Not on the first day, not good idea.

My first day of clinical in nursing school I was pretty damn sick, fever, cold, very flu like. I wore a mask. OTH my nursing instructor was very sick too, and we got to go home when she started puking in the garbage cans. But she, herself, did give it go herself.

I was very sick again one day in clinical, and I went in, and she sent me home when i got there.