Has your supervisor ever told you to go to work when you were throwing up?

[Amethyst Veralyn]

I don't like to call in sick unless I can't avoid it. I try to

take use meds that supress my symptoms instead of calling in

sick. When you are throwing up or have diarrhea it is a threat to

co workers and patients. Why would a good supervisor tell you

to go to your shift anyway? I think this is dangerous.

[nightmare, RN]

Moved to General Nursing Discussion.

[semiller36545]

I haven't , but I once worked with someone who told me about a supervisor who told a nurse who had called in with diarrhea to " Put on a diaper and come to work". Seriously.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

That is a conversation that should never happen.

Nurse: "Hello, this is NurseX. I'm sorry but I'm calling off for my TimeX shift today."

Supervisor: "Thanks for calling."

End of conversation.

It's unnecessary to offer details of why you're calling off. I would head off any attempt by my supervisor to cajole details out of me with, "I will call again later if I feel I will be unable to come in to work tomorrow/whenever next scheduled. Have a good day. Goodbye."

[SillyStudent, ASN, RN]

We don't even call our floor to call in sick. We call a staffing center and they ask where you work and your name, then say they hope you are feeling better.

My old job asked me what particular illness I had, symptoms and all. After I was there a few years, I started telling them it was none of their business.

[nightmare, RN]

Many years ago I phoned in sick with the flu,probably the first time I had ever phoned in sick in that job.The deputy matron(long gone)told me it was my job to find a replacement.At that moment in time I could barely stand let alone locate staff phone numbers.Needless to say the reply was short and to the point!

[Batman24]

That should never happen. It's none of their business why you are even out. And you shouldn't let them talk you into going in if you are sick. Do it once and they will force the issue every time. Be polite and firm.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

We do have to call the floor and staffing office. I only say that I am calling in sick or absent. That is all that is required. Usually I am told to feel better and end of story.

[Vito Andolini]

You asked why they do it. They do it because they are desperate for staff.

Maybe some do it to be mean because they have antisocial personality disorder or because they are lazy and don't want to have to work to find the replacement or they dread having to tell someone already on duty that they are now mandated to stay for a double. Who knows?

Mostly, I think, I hope, they do it out of desperation, not mental illness, laziness, or cruelty.

For the poster who said she had to find her own replacement - had the facility told you this in Orientation? Had they supplied you with names and phone numbers of who to call? Were their heads on their necks forwards or backwards? Was sulfur gas coming from their ears, indicating they'd had a brain fart?

[noc4senuf]

We ask what they are ill with since it is our policy, if they call in for the 3rd day, then they have to get a doctor's excuse to return. This is to show they are not contagious and are fit to return to work.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

At ours, they do it by claiming you can mention the "general" symptoms as if it's a GI, flu, etc..it's a "public health" issue...I dunno. I just mention I'm "sick...and go from there.

[Auntiegrade_Amnesia]

Hon, a good supervisor would never say that to begin with. However, most places are so ridiculously understaffed, they will say anything to get you to come to work regardless of your condition. Please remember, you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else. Please don't let yourself be bullied into working when you are not able.

Best wishes,

Auntie