Going to start looking for another job!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I'm just disgusted with a few things, but the other nite was just the topper.

I work nites, and if we are sick or something, we are to find our own replacement. The other day when I woke up, I felt rotten - I had a sore throat, one of those that makes your ears hurt, a fever and a headache. I called the two other nurses who work nites - one refused, and the other never returned my call. I called the DON, and she kind of shrugged her shoulders and said "Oh, well." And that was it - I ended up going in.

This DON has never worked the floors, and I realise that that isn't her job, but I've decided that I'm not going to ever do that again!! I feel like it should be her job to have a plan in place for when things like that happen. Such as having a stand-by agency nurse or something.

I've never called in sick before, but I've gone in for ones who have - I pick up quite a bit for one nurse, but she's the one who never called back. I'm just totally fed-up.:madface:

Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

While I am not sure where you live and what the law is there but common sense tells all of us that you are a danger to your patients when you work in those conditions. Besides being contagious (serious in its own accord ---First rule of nursing "Do no harm") you could have fainted and left the unit on a stretcher. It should be managements problem to find your replacement (as it is in every other facility that I am familiar with)

If you had a doctors note you should be absolved in the eyes of the law

BTW where is the Head Nurse? Shouldn't she have tried to fill your shift?

P.S. IT IS THE DON'S JOB TO COME WORK ON THE UNIT IF THERE IS NO OTHER NURSE. OR HIRE A TEMP!

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While I am not sure where you live and what the law is there but common sense tells all of us that you are a danger to your patients when you work in those conditions. Besides being contagious (serious in its own accord ---First rule of nursing "Do no harm") you could have fainted and left the unit on a stretcher. It should be managements problem to find your replacement (as it is in every other facility that I am familiar with)

If you had a doctors note you should be absolved in the eyes of the law

BTW where is the Head Nurse? Shouldn't she have tried to fill your shift?

P.S. IT IS THE DON'S JOB TO COME WORK ON THE UNIT IF THERE IS NO OTHER NURSE. OR HIRE A TEMP!

Achot - I was told at one point that the administrator (a nurse) nor the DON would work the floors.

I've been afraid since I started that I would get sick and have to call in, because I was afraid something like this would happen. I tried to stay away from patients, but you know how that goes - it was a wild nite.

I am so fed up with this LTCF!! I know there must be good ones out there, but I would never trust a family member of mine there!!:madface: Any suggestions made to the DON meet with an argument, altho I know for a fact that she hasn't been a nurse as long as I have, nor had the level of experience.

I'm afraid that something is going to happen, and my license will be on the line - because she doesn't seem to be behind anyone.

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Achot - I was told at one point that the administrator (a nurse) nor the DON would work the floors.

I've been afraid since I started that I would get sick and have to call in, because I was afraid something like this would happen. I tried to stay away from patients, but you know how that goes - it was a wild nite.

I believe that if the state sees the administrator or the DNS working the floor, it's a violation. Which isn't to say that lots of directors don't work the floors to fill a need. They just don't get caught.

No way should a sick person have to find their own coverage. It's not like you're asking for an unscheduled vacation.

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I believe that if the state sees the administrator or the DNS working the floor, it's a violation. Which isn't to say that lots of directors don't work the floors to fill a need. They just don't get caught.

No way should a sick person have to find their own coverage. It's not like you're asking for an unscheduled vacation.

catlady - I wonder why that is? I really think our DON NEEDS to be out on the floor sometimes - she had never been there at nite to see what really goes on.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I don't blame you. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Like anyone feels like calling around to find a replacement when they're sick...

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Specializes in Emergency.

get better soon bandit! didn't you know that being a nurse means you never get sick, therefore you can never call off? hahaha

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With the present nursing shortage you don't have to do anything that you don't want to. You can quit today and have a new job tomorrow

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The idea of you needing to replace yourself if you are sick is absoloutly ubsurd. But the rule about not calling doctors on nights or weekends tops everything. The only way for me to interpret this one is that you will get every night and weekend off.... bankers hours, not bad.

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With the present nursing shortage you don't have to do anything that you don't want to. You can quit today and have a new job tomorrow

Oh, how I wish that were true around here.:o I have a disability - essential tremors - and it's gotten to the point where I can no longer do IV's or blood draws.

I have been looking, but nothing seems to come up that I would be able to do - and the nursing homes around here don't seem to be hiring.

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