Hospital policy about absenteeism.

NYNURSE8000 · Jul 28, 2005

NOTE FOR NEW NURSES AND CNAs:

If you think that you have hurt yourself in ANY way or if you think that you might have been exposed to ANYTHING... Fill out a variance. It's sad, but NO ONE will back you up if you don't document anything.

I established this Shingles rash 24-48 hrs. after taking care of a pt that had a MAJOR outbreak of Shingles all over. I should have filled out a variance... just to back myself up. HR(Workman's comp) won't compensate me at all.... for the weekend I was out, b/c I have NO VARIANCE REPORT.

WATCH YOUR BACK!!!!

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 28, 2005

Most employers have policies that address how many times you may be absent (even for legitimate illnesses) before it starts to have an effect on your employment. While you did not give all the details of your employer's policy, it sounds pretty typical. After a certain number of sick-calls, you get a verbal warning... followed by a written warning ... followed by progressively more serious actions.

The "having to work the following weekend" requirement for sick-calls on the weekend is not typical -- but not unheard of. The hospital that I work generally requires nurses who call out sick on a weekend to either work an extra weekend shift on the next schedule or a shift of the management's choosing. The practice varies a little from unit to unit.

Unfortunately, some people have abused the sick-call procedure in the past -- calling in sick frequently whenever they don't want to work, etc. Other people (with good intentions) sign up for more shifts than than their bodies can handle and end up calling in sick for half of them. etc. etc. Employers need to know that their employees will show up to work when scheduled. People who can't be counted on to come to work when scheduled cause problems -- even if they have good reasons for not coming to work. This has forced hospitals to have written policies and procedures to handle such things.

The best thing you can do now is probably to sit down and talk with you director (or whomever would be most appropriate in your hospital) and make sure you understand the policy. I would also ask them to share their perspective on how you should handle illnesses in the future. Make sure you understand what they expect of you as an employee -- and make sure they understand that you want to be a reliable employee.

Don't just get mad and quit your job in a rush. You may find that the other employers in your area have similar policies and that you have only caused more problems for yourself by resigning under difficult conditions. If you really think you would like to resign, get another job first -- being sure to understand their absenteism policy before you committ to the job.

Also ... talk with some of your colleagues. Find out how they handle the sick-call situation. You may find that 50% of them have had similar experiences in the past and that the verbal warning is not considered a "big thing" at your hospital. That's the way it is where I work. That first stage, verbal warning for 1 too many sick calls is so common in the winter months that no one takes it too seriously. It's only the "repeat offenders" who go progress through the whole disciplinary process that actually get hurt by the policy.

Good luck,

llg

NYNURSE8000 · Jul 28, 2005

Thanks for the input. I'm not resigning at all... I need cash flow:) I'm still in awww about the policy. It's strange... people that work other jobs...NON-nursing... are usually given sick time... and it's so weird... b/c our health is on the line a lot. We are exposed to so much...but yet...we don't get sick time, instead, we get a lot of overtime and then get sick. My friend just got a job working for a hospital in NY. She's not a nurse...she's a puter person who is going to be training employees and developing new software. Being a new hire, she is already guaranteed a certain # of sick days.... like 14 days.

It makes me curious about using my nursing degree and experience elsewhere and getting away from the bedside.

just my thought :idea:

utahliz · Jul 29, 2005

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TypicalFish · Jul 31, 2005

Thanks for the input. I'm not resigning at all... I need cash flow:) I'm still in awww about the policy. It's strange... people that work other jobs...NON-nursing... are usually given sick time... and it's so weird... b/c our health is on the line a lot. We are exposed to so much...but yet...we don't get sick time, instead, we get a lot of overtime and then get sick. My friend just got a job working for a hospital in NY. She's not a nurse...she's a puter person who is going to be training employees and developing new software. Being a new hire, she is already guaranteed a certain # of sick days.... like 14 days.
It makes me curious about using my nursing degree and experience elsewhere and getting away from the bedside.
just my thought

Most hospitals have a very strict policy about absenteeism-with a staffing shortage in almost evry hospital-the east coast esp-there's just not enough nurses to go around if you are out; it creates extra work and stress for those that are there and could create dangerous situations for the patients. Could you imagine if your house caught on fire and the fire comapny couldn't respond because too many people called in sick? Well, it is the same for your job-you just can't be absent very often. Sorry, it is the reality of your job.

To be honest, unless you have been extremely ill and bedridden, being absent -unplanned-four times in 6 or 7 months is too much. At my hospital you would have already received a verbal AND a written warning; you would, at this point be counseled that you may lose your job. If your health is an issue for you, you may want to consider the float pool or agency, which will give you more flexibility. Maybe you could work in the nursing office-Your friend that is a new hire is a computer person-her work can be made up, yours can't. Good luck, and stay healthy!

Fonenurse · Aug 1, 2005

Could you imagine if your house caught on fire and the fire comapny couldn't respond because too many people called in sick? Well, it is the same for your job-you just can't be absent very often. Sorry, it is the reality of your job.
To be honest, unless you have been extremely ill and bedridden, being absent -unplanned-four times in 6 or 7 months is too much. At my hospital you would have already received a verbal AND a written warning; you would, at this point be counseled that you may lose your job. If your health is an issue for you, you may want to consider the float pool or agency, which will give you more flexibility. Maybe you could work in the nursing office-Your friend that is a new hire is a computer person-her work can be made up, yours can't. Good luck, and stay healthy!

Hang on here - shingles is a condition where you can pass on the virus to immune suppressed patients - and that by giving them the virus, and them catching chickenpox could kill them. What would you do? Risk killing someone by your presence, or getting a warning? I know which I would rather have on my conscience. :confused:

Whilst I agree that NYNURSE8000 has had a lot of sickness, sometimes there are other issues to be considered too.

AtlantaRN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

my facility is the same way, if you call out on your weekend, you have to work the following weekend...it's a bummer. I agree with the variance report. Shoot, I've even filled out variance reports if I just thought I might have pulled on a patient too hard/ better to have the documentation and not need it than need it and not have it.

atlantarn

NoCrumping · Aug 1, 2005

Most hospitals have a very strict policy about absenteeism-with a staffing shortage in almost evry hospital-the east coast esp-there's just not enough nurses to go around if you are out; it creates extra work and stress for those that are there and could create dangerous situations for the patients. Could you imagine if your house caught on fire and the fire comapny couldn't respond because too many people called in sick? Well, it is the same for your job-you just can't be absent very often. Sorry, it is the reality of your job.
To be honest, unless you have been extremely ill and bedridden, being absent -unplanned-four times in 6 or 7 months is too much. At my hospital you would have already received a verbal AND a written warning; you would, at this point be counseled that you may lose your job. If your health is an issue for you, you may want to consider the float pool or agency, which will give you more flexibility. Maybe you could work in the nursing office-Your friend that is a new hire is a computer person-her work can be made up, yours can't. Good luck, and stay healthy!

someone has to be bedridden to be sick 4 times in 6-7 months???????? I'm sorry, but I do not think this is excessive. Yes, we are professionals, and we are counted on, yada yada yada.... but ya know what? things happen, people get sick enough , while not being bedridden, and they need to not be at work.THATS WHAT THEY HAVE A PER DIEM STAFF FOR.

PeachyOrthoRN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

Our hospital is also kind of the same as everyone has been describing. We get six call offs in a six month period any more and you go into a disciplanary action that means you can lose your bonus as well as your raise.