should I call in or not?

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I'm a new nurse and am orienting on an oncology unit. The patients on the unit are extremely ill and many are on neutropenic precautions.

I caught a bug and have a fever, and it's obvious if you hear me talk that I'm sick. I feel like total crap. I missed work today and have been in bed all day. I still feel like total crap but I don't want to miss work again. But I also don't want to put my patients at risk, and I feel like even if I wear a mask it isn't right to go on this type of unit with a barking cough and fever.

I also don't want my employers to think that I'm a slacker. This is my second week on the job, and I'm afraid I've already made a bad impression by calling out sick.

What would you do in this situation?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You have a fever. You could kill a neutropenic patient. What do you think?

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You have a fever. You could kill a neutropenic patient. What do you think?

I know, you are right. I guess I just wanted to hear other people say it. I just called my employer and they said not to come in. I guess I was afraid they would prioritize my working over the safety of the patients. They are great employers though, and they've done nothing so far to seem like that type of hospital. Guess I'm just having emotions about it.

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Yes stay home and get better, both for your patients but also for your coworkers. I can't tell you the times people came to work sick because they just felt so bad to leave us without the help and wind up giving it to everyone! Trust me your employer will understand and appreciate it in the long run. Get better soon! 😷

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It's true, I feel bad even though I'm an orientee and they can all do fine without me (and probably have less work without me, actually). Thanks, I will get better soon and will avoid giving the monkey pox to others.

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As a co-worker, I would rather do extra work while you get well, than to have you come in and get me sick too. And neither of us want the patients to catch this bug.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

My father-in-law is on chemo for leukemia. If you came in with a fever, obviously sick and passed it to him, he might not survive this illness. SO YES CALL IN.

Who cares if they think you are slacker? You have to take care of yourself, guard your patients and consider you don't want to get your coworkers sick either. A bad bug going around caregivers who minister to cancer patients could have deadly consequences. Do the right thing, not what you think others think you should do.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/LDRP/Ortho ASC.

If you're concerned, you could always visit your primary care provider for an excuse. I definitely vote for calling out.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Call out in order to protect your patients and coworkers.

It would be a lot more damaging to your reputation if you went in there with an URI.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Most of these "should I go to work" posts I feel like saying "suck it up buttercup" to, but yours is a no brainer. A febrile nurse has no business on a neutropenic unit. One of my coworkers got sent home for a cold sore on her second day on the job.

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Specializes in Oncology.

As an oncology nurse, please stay home. Pride isn't worth a septic pt. Hope you get to feeling better!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Good for you. They likely appreciated your concern for your health and that of the patient population to be favorable. How can you safely & intently work with a fever?

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