Called off too many times?

MilliePieRN · Aug 24, 2018

If you're scheduled to work, go to work. Why are you calling off? Better things to do?

If you value your job at all (even if you don't), be a good employee and don't screw over your coworkers.

chare · Aug 24, 2018

All the times that I've called off have been related to health problems and physical. Wrist pain, chest pain, now both knee pain. When bending at the knees, it hurts a lot and when walking for a long time I feel the same...

How many times, exactly have you called off? And the fact that they all have been "related to health problems" might not be helpful as many facilities don't make a distinction as to reason for calling off, and note it as unexcused regardless of reason or physician excuse.

...I've even visited my doctor and they gonna have me tested for arthritis(runs in the family)
[...]

Even this, if diagnosed, is not likely to help outside of FMLA, which you likely don't qualify for if you've only been there 6 months.

[...]
The only thing thats stopping me from calling off is the consequences. I do not know the attendance policy since I'm hella new (6months)

This you need to correct immediately. At my facility you are allowed 5 callouts in a rolling 12 month period, and a verbal warning can be issued on the 6th occurrence. You didn't mention how many times you've called out. Even if it's less than the prescribed number, you should consider whether you are still in your probationary period.

[...]
If you value your job at all (even if you don't), be a good employee and don't screw over your coworkers.

While I agree that her or his job might be in jeopardy, I don't think this is necessarily a case of he or she "screw[ing] over" her or his coworkers. After 20 years in the military, I know only too well what it's like to go to work in pain and some days I just can't do it.

OP, I wish you the best, and hopefully you and your physician can find a treatment plan that works for you.

MS0298 · Aug 24, 2018

Thank you for this response.

To answer I've called off 2 times.

caliotter3 · Aug 24, 2018

There is a point where your employer is going to tire of your attendance record and they will give you an ultimatum, come to work, or face termination. They hired you to work, not to have a name and number on their payroll that keeps someone else from having a job. A replacement employee can be found who will show up every day. Trust me on that one.

caliotter3 · Aug 24, 2018

Thank you for this response.
To answer I've called off 2 times.

If this is the case, what is the problem, other than appearance sake? Calling off when scheduled for the weekend, even if justified, looks sketchy. I would find out the policy. Some employers are more strict than others.

chare · Aug 24, 2018

Thank you for this response.
To answer I've called off 2 times.

Then you're likely not near the number on which the disciplinary process begins. But, you really should review your facility's attendance policy, and you might consider discussing this with your manager before it does become a problem.

Again, best wishes.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2018

I've been thinking off calling off the following weekend. It is Thursday and I have work Saturday and Sunday.

I'm certainly not in a position to tell you whether you are or are not well enough to work--only you know that. However, this statement worries me a bit. Does that mean you plan to call off this weekend? Or the arthritis test is on a Thursday and you will call off on the weekend immediately after that test? Either way, I think you need to examine your personal call off 'policy.'

allnurses Guide · Aug 24, 2018

If your health issues are such that you have to call out this often, they are likely such that your current work position is incompatible with your physical ability. There are basic parameters in place for floor nursing and are normally stated up front, including the ability to bend, stoop, squat, spend long times standing, lift 50 lbs, etc. If you cannot meet these basic parameters on a regular, routine basis you lack the basic qualifications for this particular job and you may need to find one that doesn't stress your body to the point that you are unable to show up for work. Your employer can and will hold you accountable for this.

The fact that your call outs are health related don't make them more excusable, even though they may be more sympathetic. Rather, they point out in blaring spotlight that you lack the basic physical requirements needed to perform this particular job role. You don't have a disability that guarantees your right to a job no matter what. You have health issues incompatible with this particular job role. Two call offs in six months is borderline. Continuing to add to it is going to cost you your job eventually and, prior to that, your work relationships. I would suggest you find a job that you can work without having to call off so often. It sounds like this one is simply too hard on you.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Aug 24, 2018

On Thursday you already know you'll be feeling to bad to work Saturday AND Sunday. As a manager - I wouldn't buy that for a minute.

Nature_walker, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2018

I was precepting a young lady who had a similar story. She would show up late, call in while orientation for health reasons. She had done her capstone with me and never mentioned anything like this before. I talked to her while she was learning with me about it telling her that while we understand that you have health issues that have cropped up, we also expect you at work. She managed to finish orientation without any more call ins. Once she was done with precepting, she was solo and started calling in again. I warned her that this would not end well. Two weeks after our chat, she and management had a parting of the ways. Never heard from her again.

As her preceptor, I was crushed. I put a lot of time into training her and trying to teach her how it is once you are a grown up and on your own. It was hard since she was with me for both her capstone and then as my preceptee.

My point is this, you state you are a new nurse that means someone is taking time to train you. That person is coming in each day with a plan of what you need to learn to be a good nurse and then you are not there. It is frustrating to the team that you work with since they are expecting you to be there to learn and then you are not. This will cause friction as the team is unsure if they can depend on you when you are on your own.

I do hope you get your health issues taken care of, however calling in for the weekend when it is only Thursday doesn't seem like the best idea when you have already called in twice as a newbie.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 24, 2018

On Thursday you already know you'll be feeling to bad to work Saturday AND Sunday. As a manager - I wouldn't buy that for a minute.

That's the part that got my attention, too. How can you know how your knees will feel 3 days from now? If they are that bad and so consistently prevent you from working, you don't need to "call in" -- you need to either arrange a long-term leave of absence or resign.