Home sick today...

AprilRNhere · Jan 29, 2008

I'm home sick today too. Well...home with 3 sick kids. I wonder the same thing. We accrue sick time FAST...but I couldn't imagine calling in all those days. Usually only if I don't feel capable of working....OR if my kids are really sick and need me home.

Plagueis · Jan 29, 2008

I have only called out an average of 5 to 6 days per year at the LTC where I work. We do have two weeks of paid sick time, so at least I didn't lose any pay. When I started working there, I used to feel guilty for calling out. However, I have realized that we are not human cyborgs who never have to call out. Everybody gets sick, and employers need to take this into account when they staff shifts.

I am also not responsible for the lack of staffing because I called out sick; the employer is. They should have a backup scheduling plan if someone calls out. Why offer sick time if employees cannot call out, or are made to feel guilty for doing so by their employer? We cannot work at our best if we are sick, plus we risk getting our coworkers and patients/residents sick too if we "tough it out" and go into work. Staying at home resting and recovering from an illness is not selfish, and nurses and CNAs should never feel guilty for doing so.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2008

How often do you use a sick day? How much is acceptable at your facility? I don't use it very often (maybe 4 days a year), but I always feel SOOO guilty calling off a shift! Anyone else this way?

You are sick. Stay home, drink tea. Eat soup and catch up on the soaps. It isn't like you called off to go on vacation. That's why your facility has contracted agency nurses and per diem staff.

You are doing your coworkers a far better thing by not spreading your illness - and your patients too!

Please don't feel guilty about being human.

Blee

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2008

Never do I feel guilty. I think we're allowed up to six absences a year until we are

"counseled". I'll typically have 2-4 a year, the older I get the more I need. LOL

I love my cat! · Jan 29, 2008

Please, do NOT feel guilty!

By definition, guilt is the remorseful awareness that you have done something WRONG.

What have you done that is wrong? It is not your fault if you are sick. You should not feel blamed for it. In addition, do you really want to be around other people when you are sick? Believe me, the healthy people do not want to be around you ;-)

Personally, I think you should take good care of yourself first. Work should always come second. Remember, how can you take care of others if you cannot take care of yourself?

Take the time that you need and get well soon!!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 29, 2008

I hate to admit, but I was ridiculous when it came to taking sick time. I would take off in a heart beat (about 7-10 times per year). But, that has now changed. My best friend and I started talking and she told me that if I really looked at some of the days I called in, I should realize that most of the time, my problem was GETTING there. Once I got in, no matter how miserable I was, I would usually gain the energy to complete the shift. And, she made me look at it, and asked how many days was I REALLY sick, and it was not that many. She then started telling me that it is more worth it to make the effort to go in because if there is a time that I really need to take off, may it be for a mental health day (on the real), an emergency or even just to take time off to leave town, my time would be dwindling.

I have no real loyalty or guilt towards the facility, because I do believe that my needs come first. But, what my friend did do is show me that I owed it to myself to go in, just to stay out of the eyes of whomever is watching.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Jan 30, 2008

i used to feel bad... especially when after i would call out my boss would call me back at home and say "oh pleeeeeeeeeeease come to work".... but i realized i have let my health go too many times just to be at work to the point i needed a medrol dose pack and a trip to the ER....and its not worth it. nevermind the countless number of poor patients i have probably sneezed and hacked on.

i actually told my boss today i made a dentist appointment next week (ive been putting it off because they just fired the CNA that i work with and i have been picking up the slack in the unit since they decided not to hire another CNA and she told me i couldnt have the day off to do it) and i am leaving at noon and she needs to find a replacement for me. she was not too happy.... she said "well can't you go another day??" and i told her... "find me a dentist that fills cavities on sunday, and you have a deal"... :)

Ms Kylee · Jan 30, 2008

I always do feel guilty.. and we were told in orientation that if you're sick, stay home because they don't want us to give whatever we have to the patients. Well, some days ya just can't call in... esp. since if I call out on a weekend, I have to make it up another weekend. Well, my "off work" weekends are my weekends for clinical. If I get sick on a weekend and I call out, I'm screwed. Was so sick with bronchitis once and I went in. Boss had to come in for something and saw me hacking up everything but a hairball and never said a word to me.

I love my cat! · Jan 30, 2008

Boss had to come in for something and saw me hacking up everything but a hairball and never said a word to me.

I am not surprised. The vast majority of employers really do not care about your health. Sad, but true. I suppose that is the nature of running a business.

I feel that all Health Care businesses should be mandated to have some sort of on-call and/or Registry back-up for employee illness/emergencies.

sharlynn · Jan 30, 2008

The last time I tried to call in sick ( three weeks ago), I was told there was nobody to replace me and to come in anyway. Well, I did, I wore a mask and washed my hands so much they are still chapped, and now every nurse I came in contact with has a cold.

Who knew!

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2008

I hope you're feeling better (I think I'll refrain from hugging, if that's OK with you... don't want to catch a cyber-cold!)