should I call in or not?

[Fruit Sucker]

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?

[dianah, ASN]

Not to mention, you will get better sooner with rest rather than with a busy day's work.

[OCNRN63, RN]

As an oncology nurse, and as an oncology patient too, I would be livid if a nurse came to work as sick as you describe. If one of the patients catches what you have, it could be disastrous. Not to mention you could wind up infecting your co-workers and causing short staffing on your unit.

I hate to sound harsh, but I worked with someone who came to work with a severe respiratory infection. I caught it from her, wound up being hospitalized, and have a chronic respiratory illness as a result. (This was before I developed cancer.)

Stay home, keep your germs to yourself, and consult your doctor if you continue to be ill. Feel better soon, and lots of chicken soup!