What would you do in my situation?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm relocating for a job - we're talking thousands of miles. It'll take me 3 days travel. I already gave a month notice (two weeks is required) and my manager was even mad about that, but I'm told the manager does that w everyone so don't take it personally.

anyway - I'm doing this move all by myself so that's already hard enough. Turns out I need to be in town a few days earlier than expected to do pre employment tasks, including the drug screen - just one of those things where there's no way around it, I have to be there by a certain time. So I may have to call out my last two shifts in order to make it, which I feel horrible about. I've already asked some prn nurses if they're willing to cover, so we'll see.

the dilemma gets bigger in that I picked up extra this week, so along with my scheduled shifts, I'm suppose to work 3 3/4 shifts this week. But I am SICK as a dog. This seems to happen when I move (stress? Dust from packing? Idk. It was brocnthisi last time.. could be again) so if I still feel this horrible there's no way I can work tomorrow in the least, nor do I feel I'd be my optimal safe self... pretty sure I have a fever and can hardly breathe.

i don't want to call out this week then next week too! I want to stay on good terms with my current employer. I'm ok with toughing it out to an extent and I never call out but I feel HORRIBLE. And it especially makes me nervous working with the neonatal population.

Should I tough it out? Call out as much as I need? Would a doc excuse help?

Im in such a predicament. Thanks

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

If you're genuinely sick, you kind of have to call out. Get a doctor's note if required by your employer and if you think you'll need to present one. It sucks, but it's not your fault if you are sick to the point of having a fever.

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If you're genuinely sick, you kind of have to call out. Get a doctor's note if required by your employer and if you think you'll need to present one. It sucks, but it's not your fault if you are sick to the point of having a fever.

I agree! Please take care of yourself! Sure, it's bad timing, but your health and well-being come first.

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Specializes in ER.

I'd get a doctors note to cover you til the end of your notice. Your manager will be annoyed, but sounds like that's her baseline.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

You can't be sick and work with neonates. Get a doctor's note and let the chips fall where they may...it probably won't matter in the long run.

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Thanks guys... I actually stuck it out all last week and boy have I paid for it. While I felt "better" , I still haven't given myself a proper chance to heal and am still a little sick. Haven't slept near enough and have been going, going, going, having only had one day off between my stretch + overtime and today's shift in addition to packing/wrapping up loose ends before I move. Typically, I'd tough it out after that stage in a cold/virus whatever it is I've had... but after moving some boxes today for my move I realized how exerting myself did not feel so hot on my lungs... and I don't want to get bronchitis again as I travel down for my new job!

As mentioned, I have to call out ANYWAY because of having to get to my destination a little earlier, but my being sick adds to it. And all my coworkers have had the pleasure of listening to me blow my nose every 5 mins or coughing...and know that I'm moving and stressed etc.. sooo at least people will know I'm not actually faking.

And geez - I've only called out once the whole time I've had this job! I always feel so bad though, but it is what it is I guess!

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If I had an infant in that unit, I would be livid that a nurse in that condition was working.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
If I had an infant in that unit, I would be livid that a nurse in that condition was working.

I would go so far as to make a report to the BON. Patient safety overrules our guilty feelings -- and overrules attendance policies. Sorry, not sorry -- if a nurse sets foot in a NICU while febrile, hacking, expelling GI contents, etc, that shows a level of judgment that is incompatible with safe practice.

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