Illness?

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

I have been on the floor for over 2 years. I have called out of work twice. Once for a unexplained fainting episode and the MD wouldn't let me drive for a few days and the second was for a death. As far as, colds, flu, and all the other "stuff" we come in contact with; well that hasn't happened yet...knock on wood 3 times while turning around :)

umcRN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

almost never and I work peds. I get sick when I work night shift (but have never called out for it) and prior to a recent surgery I just had that required two months out of work I had called out twice in two years, once for a funeral and once for illness actually related to why I had to have surgery.

AnonRNC · Mar 14, 2012

Many "sick" people aren't 'infectious sick' - sure there are a few with viral/bacterial pneumonia or vomitting/diarrhea/dehydration, but more likely you have diabetics, cancer pts, stroke, UTI/pyelo, plus all your post-ops who were healthy prior to their procedures (total hips, lumbar fusions, choles, and so on).

That said, the first year I worked "the floor" in the regional Pediatric Center, I got sick all the time (respiratory infections). One could argue that I built up my immunity after that first year OR that I developed better hand-hygiene/infection-control habits.

sharpeimom · Mar 14, 2012

i hardly ever caught anything while i was a nurse, with one notable exception. i had had a documented case of chicken pox when i was a four year old kindergartener. i was reinfected as a student nurse and again when a neighbor's son got them. after that, i was tested and still showed no immunity. :confused:

Perpetual Student · Mar 14, 2012

I've picked more up from my coworkers than my patients, and I imagine that I'd have come down with the same things in many other work environments. I did pick up scabies at work. Or perhaps it was just in my head after knowing I was exposed and the timeline for symptoms to start, either way I itched like crazy. Just thinking about it is making me itch.

The worst was a GI disturbance that ripped through our department. Thankfully it hit me in the middle of the night while I was at home, so my simultaneous north and south eruptions were in the comfort of my own bathroom. One colleague wasn't so lucky. :barf01:

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 14, 2012

you are around sick people at the grocery, school, everywhere. At least in the hospital we have opportunity to wash hands and practice hygiene. I have only gotten sick from a patient once and that was my fault. He was 2 months old and I hugged him close. Rotavirus can affect adults in case you wondered.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

I am not a nurse yet, but I was curious on how often you get sick from being around sick people? When you first started out, did you get sick a lot? Does your immune system just build up?

At work, never. There have been a few times when the norovirus passed through staff/patients/parents in the past few years but fortunately I've never gotten it. Any acute illness I've had over the past 5 years, I'm sure I caught on public transportation.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

If you follow standard precautions and wash your hands, wash your hands, and wash your hands......you will rarely, oif ever, catch anything from your patients. Your co-workers, telephone and computer keyboards and another subject altogether.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 14, 2012

Only time I have called in sick was when I had a sudden and unexplained puking episode that started when I was showering to get to work. Otherwsie, I have had a cold but I always get at least one a year. Thats it for me.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

I'm guessing you've got the idea by now that working in an acute setting doesn't make you any more likely to get sick than if you were working in the mall....and actually, I believe you'd be MORE likely to get sick working in the mall as you'd be washing your hands WAY less, handling nothing with gloves, and it's not like people walk around with signs "I'm Infectious, Wear Gloves and Wash" LOL

But in the hospital, you do wear gloves, you do wash much more frequently than in the rest of the world, and hey, there ARE signs (report, chart, labs, and quite literally SIGNS on DOORS) that tell you to use caution.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 14, 2012

admittedly, i been in my actual position since 94" and i have called out twice, one for gastritis after coming back from mexico, i think it was montezuma's revenge :barf01: the last one, i had to take my 5yr. son to the e.r., normally i don't call out... i guess i'm lucky :w00t: