Had to leave early- what to tell the patients?

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Specializes in Oncology.

Yesterday I was in a patient's room when suddenly a wave of nausea and dizziness hit me like a rock. I told her "Be right back" and ran out of the room to go vomit.

Turns out I definitely had a stomach bug of sorts that just hit me fast, and I ended up going home and never went back in her room.

What do I say to her when I go back?

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Tell her the truth, say sorry that you left in such a hurry and that you were poorly and couldn't continue to work but feel much better now.

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Why do you have to say anything? If you do feel the need to explain yourself or the patient brings it up, just say something like "Sorry, but something came up and I had to go home for the day".

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

If the pt. asks, just say something came up and you had to leave for the day. I wouldn't tell a patient that I was sick, or complain about sick kids, or family emergencies or anything!

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Specializes in Oncology.
Why do you have to say anything? If you do feel the need to explain yourself or the patient brings it up, just say something like "Sorry, but something came up and I had to go home for the day".

She's a patient who's been here a long time who I've been assigned to a lot. I think she'll ask.

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Ohhh, well in that case, just tell her the truth. I'm sure she would understand. Nurses get sick, too!

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I agree - I think a patient would feel better knowing their nurse had the good sense to leave and transfer care to another instead of risking getting them sick.

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Specializes in Oncology, Triage, Tele, Med-Surg.

I can understand not wanting to tell the pt. you were sick since it also tells them they were exposed to your germs (albeit not as much as if you'd stayed at work.) Saying you suddenly felt poorly is honest though. Plus, if you tell her anything different you'd have to be sure to have the story straight ... as the nurse who relieved you might have already told her... something.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I agree with others. If she asks, I would say "I suddenly felt very ill and had to leave, but I am feeling much better now. So how have you been?" I would immediately change the subject to keep the focus on her and discourage further questions.

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"Nurses are honest." I'd tell the truth without making it too unprofessional. You've known this client for a while, so there is an established relationship there. In your shoes, I would bring it up before she did instead of acting as though nothing happened and waiting for her to bring it up.

I'd say that I felt bad for leaving out of the blue like that (which I would), but I got hit by some sickness (food-related, maybe?) and ended up going home to rest.

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Just tell her the truth, but make sure you say you're better now. You don't want her to have any doubts about you passing anything on to her.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

if it's a patient you know well, tell her you had to leave because you were ill, and that you feel much better now. you may mention that it's not contagious (if it's not and it seems as if she's worried about that.)

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