Please help :(

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I had my older brothers memorial today. He died last Sunday. My co worker last week had been gossiping about me and now is sick and wants me to cover her shift (right now) and I told her I'll get back to her if I think I can come in but right now I can't. I didn't take any grievance days even though I could have. I wanna be the bigger person and go in but my emotional stability is off today. She was gossiping about me cause I missed two weeks of work in December (mandatory LOA due to contagious virus). And my coworkers had to cover my shifts. I then returned to work and got assaulted by a patient with dementia (broke my finger and sprained my wrist) but did not miss any work thereafter. When she found out about my hand she said (in front of all staff) that if I call out not one will cover and everyone's fed up with me. Yet I wasn't planning on calling out anyway. I worked with the injury and didn't complain at all. Then my coworkers told me what she said, and that in top of losing my brothers just made me so mad. Is it wrong that I just don't effing wanna cover for her? its just been a bad month and I need today to not be any more stressful than it is. Thanks guys for reading

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Just say, "Sorry. I can't." No further explanation is needed, but of course people may be less likely to cover for you if they feel you're unwilling to cover for them.

I wouldn't worry about the gossip. I always wonder what motivated the person who shared the gossip knowing that it would be hurtful. That's the one to look out for...

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Specializes in Postpartum/Lactation/Nursing Education.

First of all, condolences on your loss. I am soo sorry, that must be terrible. You are under absolutely no obligation to cover for anyone. If you don't want to cover for her, just say no. No explanation needed. :up:

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Yes I understand. I never usually have issues covering and have covered her a couple times. Tuesday's seem to be a pattern for her. she texted me all her symptoms and vitals to try to get me to go in. Her BP is really high.. And I fel bad but have no energy to care at the same time

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

If it's not a good time to cover then don't. You've got to take care of you and your work peers will do the same for themselves if and when given the chance.

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Specializes in Public Health.
Yes I understand. I never usually have issues covering and have covered her a couple times. Tuesday's seem to be a pattern for her. she texted me all her symptoms and vitals to try to get me to go in. Her BP is really high.. And I fel bad but have no energy to care at the same time

Honestly, if I were in your shoes I might just guilt the crap out of her. It's not anybody's responsibility but the unit managers to find staffing when someone calls out and if she can't find anyone else to cover then she'll just have to get over it and either go in or call in sick. It's not your problem.

Sending my condolences to you and your family.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Don't go.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

So sorry for your loss. I agree with telling her "No, I can't cover for you tonight." Don't apologize for not covering - and you don't owe her an explanation.

Take care of yourself. (((hugs)))

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Absolutely say, "NO".Honestly I would never ask a coworker who just lost a family member to cover a shift.You should have taken the leave you are due and still can.Most polices allow you to take it anytime and do not state you must take it for services.Why are you not taking care of yourself? Your coworkers need to mind their own business. If you can pick up shifts and change yours and it meets your needs then do so, if not just politely decline.I would not go in for that manipulative gossipy nurse even if they paid me double time for the entire shift!

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Specializes in ICU.

You just had memorial service for your brother today and this person called you about working for her tonight?

What an insensitive creep. You dont need this.

Block her number.

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Absolutely say, "NO".Honestly I would never ask a coworker who just lost a family member to cover a shift.You should have taken the leave you are due and still can.Most polices allow you to take it anytime and do not state you must take it for services.Why are you not taking care of yourself? Your coworkers need to mind their own business. If you can pick up shifts and change yours and it meets your needs then do so, if not just politely decline.I would not go in for that manipulative gossipy nurse even if they paid me double time for the entire shift!

thank you and thank you to everyone for your replies so much! Made me feel at ease. I would have taken those grievance days had I not been out for two weeks in December. We are a small facility with only 4 staff nurses and when one calls out its hard on other staff. So I pushed through the grievance and the hand injury, but im taking care of myself today

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Specializes in ICU.

You earned that bereavement pay. Take it. They would.

Bereavement leave and Jury duty do not count as absence occurences.

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