On my off days, I make sure that I am getting plenty of rest, because I am a nurse and my duties at the floor requires my full attention.
So when I have to come in during my "off days" so that one of you who mysteriously calls out sick for the entire weekend, placing a call on Friday afternoon saying that you will be sick on Saturday and Sunday..
have no doubt that you have caused ill feelings and I hope that your words will come true for you. ?
I'm just not mean enough to place a "sick call" on the day that you're scheduled to be "on call." Maybe I would, but no..I'm not that mean. Although, it would be sweet. To see a cluster of your "off days," and placing a sick call just to get even with you.
But I live with a honor system. So what do I do? I join Allnurses to rant my feelings here.
This is information that should be collected as a routine matter, preferably by management.
It is, but you may not be privy to all the information. 1 nurse is going through a marriage breakup, another is attempting to fall pregnant and stay pregnant, 2 have family members going through cancer treatment (one will be palliative shortly), another is trying to get out of an abusive relationship, another's parent is falling over frequently and refusing proper investigations.
Yes there are some slackers who will call in sick but unless you are the manager you don't know the whole story.
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
On 4/27/2019 at 11:27 AM, KonichiwaRN said:
I am a nurse.
On my off days, I make sure that I am getting plenty of rest, because I am a nurse and my duties at the floor requires my full attention.
So when I have to come in during my "off days" so that one of you who mysteriously calls out sick for the entire weekend, placing a call on Friday afternoon saying that you will be sick on Saturday and Sunday..
have no doubt that you have caused ill feelings and I hope that your words will come true for you. ?
I'm just not mean enough to place a "sick call" on the day that you're scheduled to be "on call." Maybe I would, but no..I'm not that mean. Although, it would be sweet. To see a cluster of your "off days," and placing a sick call just to get even with you.
But I live with a honor system. So what do I do? I join Allnurses to rant my feelings here.
I'm just ranting as you guys can see.
If there was adequate per diem staff you wouldn't be mad at your coworkers for taking time off.
Some of us DO realize how our call outs affect others.
I am very open about my disability (Ankylosing Spondylitis), particularly since I look completely normal. When I first was diagnosed, I went out on STD for about 5 weeks with FMLA protection. I got my disease mostly stabilized and under control. However, since I had Lymphoma 10 years ago, I can't take biologics, so my disease is only moderately managed. My doctor put me on Intermittent FMLA. I used approximately one day a month, typically because I woke up so stiff that my husband had to carry me out of bed and put me in the bath because I was just that stiff. When this would happen, when I had good days/weeks, I'd pick up extra shifts when we were short. However, I always felt guilty when I called out. After 6 months of doing this, I decided it was time to move on. So, I went to a PRN schedule on a new unit that is less demanding and makes their schedule weekly. I haven't called out once since switching to this lifestyle. I work a lot when I feel great and then don't pick up shifts when I feel a flare coming on. I also picked up a side gig and the same facility working from home 10-15 hours/week which also solves my problem.
I'm not saying that there aren't people gaming the system, but I don't hope you think we're ALL doing it. Not everyone who has an issue is going to be so open and transparent about it. I'm all about spreading awareness which is why I am SO open about my battle.
However with my personal experience, this was just getting outrageous with this particular "suspect" person.
I suspect if she had 1/10th of the work ethics you do DowntheRiver, there wouldn't be such problem.
Not a single call. Not a single email being apologetic to the on call staff members. A simple call to the floors made in the Friday afternoon that totally destroyed the on-call staff members for this weekend, who (me included), were greeted with such message on a Friday.
I'd be willing to bet the OP would be a lot more forgiving if a frequent caller-out would acknowledge the inconvenience she created. Wouldn't it be nice if someone said "I'm so sorry I had to call out on a weekend and ruin yours. Thank you for covering."?
I would be much more understandable.
I'm suspecting she is just enjoying a beautiful weekend of rest and relaxation.
Life itself I think, is built on the sacrifices of others. It's just that some of us are forced to sacrifice more, due to the selfishness of others.
Family members or friends, we do it out of love.
Even strangers too at times.
But when coworkers do such a thing, using multiple sick days in a row over the weekend..
Make no doubt. She has lost all rapport with me. Trust is gained and as we are aware at the floors, there are people that you couldn't believe that passed the NCLEX. I've heard stories about how some nurses just jump from one places to another just working the "orientation" but couldn't make it pass orientation.
If there was adequate per diem staff you wouldn't be mad at your coworkers for taking time off.
If people used "sick days" (if they are dedicated sick days) for actual sick days, and came into work as they are supposed to when they are feeling better (let's say, the very next day)..
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
On 4/28/2019 at 9:49 AM, KonichiwaRN said:
If people used "sick days" (if they are dedicated sick days) for actual sick days, and came into work as they are supposed to when they are feeling better (let's say, the very next day)..
we wouldn't be having this drama.
I think people should be able to use their paid time off however they want.
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Hematocrit13
60 Posts
This is information that should be collected as a routine matter, preferably by management.