Is it ok for your work to call you after you called in sick?

[RNforLongTime]

I called in sick last night at 2:25pm for my 7p-7a shift last night. Now, I just checked my cell phone and there's a message from the shift supervisor saying it's imperative that I call her back. She left the message on my cell phone at around 4pm yesterday. I was home and sleeping and as far as I know she did not attempt to call my house since I still do have a land line because my husband would've woken me to tell me. She made no further attempt to contact me last night so I have to guess she probably wanted me to reconsider my sick call as they probably had NO ONE to fill my spot since I work in ICU and you can't just put anyone in ICU. Really, though, that isn't my problem.

Who gave her my cellphone number is beyond me. Must've been one of my coworkers because as far as I know, they do not have it. If they do, then I will have to change it (AGAIN). And as far as I also know, I am not in trouble for anything.

So, do you think it's appropriate for them to call me after I called in sick, within the guidelines of having to call off(for 7pm-it has to be before 3pm) to try to get me to "un-call" off sick?

I mentioned to another coworker that I have an interview at another facility next week. Apparently someone can't keep their mouth shut because one of my friends tells me that I'm in trouble since I called in last night. Guess it goes to show that I'm better off keeping my mouth shut.

[caliotter3]

In the past employers would call a person's home attempting to verify that you really are home sick. It worked better when everyone had a landline at home. Now, if they are calling your cell phone, you could be at the local Macy's and answer the call, and as long as the background noise isn't noticeable, they wouldn't know the difference.

[RNforLongTime]

I would have no problem if she tried to reach me on my land line but she didn't. Only called my cell.

[caliotter3]

I would change your number again and insure that no coworker gets it for anything or any reason. Whoever gave out your number is not a friend as I see it. I can't see you giving someone your private number and telling them they can share it with the world.

[RNforLongTime]

I would change your number again and insure that no coworker gets it for anything or any reason. Whoever gave out your number is not a friend as I see it. I can't see you giving someone your private number and telling them they can share it with the world.

Thank you! I can't trust anyone apparently. I have my suspicions as to who might've given the supervisor my cell phone number.

[Jokerhill]

Maybe they needed you to come in and cover the L&D, as they did not have anyone at all to work it. Hell I delivered a baby in the parking lot one day by myself, I don't work L&D either, but when you are the only thing the patient has going for them you do your best. You should be proud that the hospital where you work puts as much trust in you as it does, they don't want a lawsuit either, so they are going to put the best they have in the game. From the sounds of it you do have some L&D experience so you are who I would want in my delivery room if I were having a baby over someone who has never done it ever. ICU nurses can usually think well on their feet and make things work even without knowing all the names for things and procedures, so be proud of the confidence and trust they have in you. You may be uncomfortable for a while but that is what makes us grow and be better at what we do. As for the call back thing it was probably a call of help out of desperation. Jeff

[rn4ever?]

Is it ok for them to call you? I guess not because you're not too happy about it. But then, it happens-----especially when they are severely understaffed.

With regards to zipping your mouth-----I think that would be a better idea. If one of your co-workers divulged your cellular phone number knowing that you don't give your cellular phone number away, it's not very uinlikely that she'll divulge that you're finding another job too. Unless you are using her as a character reference, then I don't believe that she needs to know.

[rn4ever?]

I believe that that is a valid concern. If you were not oriented and trained to be an L&D Nurse, then you shouldn't be in that unit. Like in one place that I worked in, one of the Charge RNs wanted to send one Psych RN to the med-surg floor (because her dear daughter was working there as an RN too and they were short and needed help:eek:) when the policy states that a Psych RN can only be pulled to other Psych units. Obviously the manager chastised her as soon as she found out about it due to liability issues I believe.

The straw that broke the camels back was last Saturday when I was the labor and delivery nurse for 4 hours. The delivery suite was closed but still? What kind of facility does this kind of thing? I'm an ICU nurse, not a labor and delivery nurse. I will not tolerate putting my RN license on the line.

[kcochrane]

It could be something as simple as verifying it was you that called in sick. I had them call once when I was in the shower asking if I had called in sick - they didn't quite get the last name of the person that did call in.

I actually prefer that they call my cell, because I have caller ID on my cell and can ignore the call if I want. I can't count the number of times I've been called during the day when I'm sleeping (night shift) to ask me a stupid question.

I with the others that think one call with a message shouldn't really be of concern. Keep us posted on how it goes.

[snoopy29]

Just a different view - if one of my nurses calls in sick and I don't personally take the call I always call them back to:

1) make sure they are ok and have everything they need.

2) to check they are not on their own.

3) to reassure them it's not their fault they are unwell and if there is anthing we can do to help then they only have to ask.

I would hate to think of one of my nurses being unwell and isolated so this is why I always call. I am not checking up on them and the last thing on my mind would be pressurising them to come back. I just think we are in the caring profession and this needs to be from within.

just a thought :)

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Well Snoops, I'd love to work for someone like you :). I don't think that the OP is so lucky.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

In my hospital, it would not be OK for them to bother you..we don't even have to give a reason for a sick call. We're union though.

[caliotter3]

Just a different view - if one of my nurses calls in sick and I don't personally take the call I always call them back to:

1) make sure they are ok and have everything they need.

2) to check they are not on their own.

3) to reassure them it's not their fault they are unwell and if there is anthing we can do to help then they only have to ask.

I would hate to think of one of my nurses being unwell and isolated so this is why I always call. I am not checking up on them and the last thing on my mind would be pressurising them to come back. I just think we are in the caring profession and this needs to be from within.

just a thought :)

Where were you when I almost died in a hotel room? Rest assured, my employer didn't care.