do you go to work sick?

[ERERER]

Sitting here with the flu, yuck. debating on whether or not to call in sick. what is wrong with nurses that we give work notes to hangnails, but don't take time off for ourselves if we're sick?

how do you decide when to stay home? i have not called in sick for many years, and dread doing it today but due to fever/cough etc don't think i have a choice....... and, i bet that i caught this bug from another nurse!!

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

My entire family and ME got strep throat the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and I got "double points" for calling out 24 hours prior to a holiday. The EMPLOYEE HEALTH DOCTOR told me to stay home..had a confirmed rapid strep test, etc. I got in trouble for calling out. I work with newborns and moms and you can bet next time I truly may consider going on in...

Did the employee health doc put that in writing? Can you contact your union shop steward? I'd be filing a HUGE 'ol grievance over this one and I am not the type that abuses the grievance system. Or if you are not a union shop, then I'd set up a meeting with the CNO, doctor's note and yearly attendance record in hand. It's knee jerk policy to dock double points to call outs before holidays at my facility as well - and on weekends too. But a positive strep test, appropriately dated and with a doctor's note should not be used against you.

Blee