Would you call in sick?

[AnnieOaklyRN]

Hi all,

Just want your opinion on whether or not you would call out for this.

I took a new job, which I sincerely regret because I hate almost everything about it, except for the kids I care for. The job itself, the hours, some of the team members etc. I love caring for the population, but all that stuff coupled with a 2 plus hour commute each way is making the job insufferable! I am of course in the process of looking for a new one...

I have been schedule on nights this week after being on days for a few weeks and today is night number two and I have slept a whopping three hours in about 36 hours. I tried sleeping today and woke up after about 2 hours and I could not go back to sleep, so I ended up just getting up.. Because my commute is so long and the shifts are 12 hours there isn't more time for me to try again, thus I am truly beyond exhausted, to exhausted to safely drive or care for patients. If this were you would you call out? I am on orientation and I don't want to get fired for calling out, but at the same time it means I don't count as a body on the shift.

Annie

[amzyRN]

I would rather call out than harm a patient. That is part of being a good ethical nurse, that you would place patient safety above all else. In fact, I would rather lose a job rather than cause harm to another person. The job can be replaced, a life cannot.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I would not call out, I would resign. You know you do not want this position.

Why waste your time and the facility's time?

[HelloWish, ADN, BSN]

I always think to myself, "would I want a nurse caring for me or a loved one with only 3 hours of sleep in days." Probably not! It becomes unsafe IMO.

[johsonmichelle]

I would not call out, I would resign. You know you do not want this position.

Why waste your time and the facility's time?

I agree, I understand that she bills to pay but the commute is too far. She is at big risk for either harming herself or her patients.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Well I disagree. You took this job knowing about your commute. You must of known about the lack of time between shifts. You've created this mess, now you have to deal with it. If I was your employer and I found out you were calling in sick because of the commute I would let you go immediately.

I have to agree with this one. If I were your employer -- or the charge nurse who now has to figure out how to cover the shift without you -- I'd be inclined to just tell you not to bother coming back to work.

You knew about the commute, and about the shift rotation, presumably, when you took the job. It sucks that you didn't get much sleep -- I've been there, believe me. But it's your responsibility to do what you need to get enough sleep. So if that means OTC sleep aides or even prescription medicine, it's time you started looking into that.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

umm, this has nothing to do with the commute, and more to do with the fact that I got no sleep and it was unsafe for me to drive or care for patients! Nothing to do with my commute, I just literally couldn't fall asleep because I am not used to sleeping during the day, and flip flopping between days and nights certainly isn't helping. Also as an added bonus we had a meeting Thursday morning AFTER a 12 hour night shift and were forced to stay another hour and 15 minutes which is just ridiculous! Post the minutes, but don't make your night shift stay 13 plus hours!

Please read the entire original post before accusing me of not going to work because of my commute time!

Annie

So you're saying that your husband (or someone else you know) would drive you to work and pick you up again so that the commute wouldn't be an issue? Because if you're saying you're unsafe to drive, then it is, at least partially, about the commute.

I had lots of sleepless days on night shift because I had difficulty adjusting. But if you take a job that requires rotating, it's your responsibility to adjust -- and to come to work anyway. There are many threads about sleeping on the night shift -- search for one or two of them and see if you can use any of the suggestions.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I would love this, but right now I am being precepted and am subject to my preceptor's preferences, which is to not have clustered nights. Also our team is so small it is hard for the scheduling person for what they want. I have tried to work with the manager as far as when I get off orientation and she has been unwilling. I was also told I could have permanent 11a-11p shift when I interviewed which was clearly not the truth!

Annie

If you're still on orientation, I can see why your manager is unwilling to work with your scheduling preferences, including the straight 11-11 shift. You have to work with your preceptor. There is a good chance that once you're off orientation and the preceptor is no longer a factor, she might be more willing to work with you. Unless you've already poisoned that well . . . .

If the attitude displayed with posters whose views you dislike is the same as the attitude displayed at work, they may be delighted to see you go. But as you're on orientation, if you mention leaving, expect to be terminated on the spot. Why would they invest more time and money in your orientation if you have no intention of staying?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I have to agree with this one. If I were your employer -- or the charge nurse who now has to figure out how to cover the shift without you -- I'd be inclined to just tell you not to bother coming back to work.

You knew about the commute, and about the shift rotation, presumably, when you took the job. It sucks that you didn't get much sleep -- I've been there, believe me. But it's your responsibility to do what you need to get enough sleep. So if that means OTC sleep aides or even prescription medicine, it's time you started looking into that.

If you read my post then maybe you would see that j am on orientation ans need no coverage! It absolutely isnt about the commute, whether I had to drive 10 minutes or take the bus (which was absolutely an option) i still wouldn't have gone in. I had minimal sleep, which means I am unsafe to care for patients. I took responsibility and called out rather then trying to care for people when I brain would not have been sharp! I do hope you stay up for 36 hours some day and then go to work knowing you will be up for another 15 hours! Totally unsafe.

Please stop passing judgement on others. I took a job with a 50 minute commute if you consider minimal traffic ans I was promised an off shift and also told some other things that were untrue! Read the actual posts before you judge me, make sure your are a mistake free human first!

ONCE AGAIN READ THE POSTS RUBY VE AS I SAID I ASK FOR DIFFERENT OPTIOND AFTER I AM OFF ORIENTATION, AND NOT DURING!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

newgradnurse sounds like they're still a squeeky GREEN #newgradnurse (according to their profile, s/he is licensed as of July ...Basically, inexperienced and completely ignorant to the realities of nursing or how this situation should be handled. Give it time. In the meantime, everyone ignore and have second-hand embarrassment for newgradnurse . You don't drag another nurse when you haven't even been in the game for a hot second, and have NO real experience to help you fully understand the complexities of the situation. Calm down, and have some empathy for your colleagues... your (nursing) colleagues are your allies and the ones who will actually help you survive this brutal profession.

To the OP... call in sick. End of story.

I'm neither inexperienced nor ignorant, and I understand (and usually have sympathy) for the complexities of the situation. But I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for folks who dislike everyone they work with, take a job with a long commute and then complain about the commute, or who call in sick more than once because they didn't get enough sleep. This person was calling in sick because of the commute and the exhaustion. Then she said it wasn't the commute, only she "wasn't safe to drive." I also lack sympathy for folks who ask for advice then are surly to the folks who give advice that they don't like.

Please don't pick on newgradnurse. She may be inexperienced and ignorant now, but she's gaining knowledge and experience. Calm down and have some empathy for someone who is learning and growing. Your nursing colleagues are your allies.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

If you read my post then maybe you would see that j am on orientation ans need no coverage! It absolutely isnt about the commute, whether I had to drive 10 minutes or take the bus (which was absolutely an option) i still wouldn't have gone in. I had minimal sleep, which means I am unsafe to care for patients. I took responsibility and called out rather then trying to care for people when I brain would not have been sharp! I do hope you stay up for 36 hours some day and then go to work knowing you will be up for another 15 hours! Totally unsafe.

Please stop passing judgement on others. I took a job with a 50 minute commute if you consider minimal traffic ans I was promised an off shift and also told some other things that were untrue! Read the actual posts before you judge me, make sure your are a mistake free human first!

No one is a mistake free human, and I'm the first to admit it. But if this is your attitude toward every colleague with whom you disagree, you may find that your employer spares you the necessity of resigning.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

Can you get a temp job?

[klone, MSN, RN]

I truly hope you too take a job one day where you are promised curtains things and other things aren't even disclosed to your so you to realize how it feels. I also hope you get to feel the joy of being awake for 50 hours straight and then have to travel home! Peace out. You are just as catty as my new co workers, maybe you are one of them?!

You HOPE that? That's a weird and kind of ornery thing to hope.