Issue with management

[MDelainy, ASN, RN]

Hi all,
I work at an infusion center as their full time nurse. We have another nurse who used to be there full time but her shifts are now divided based on patient load. I called out recently because I have a sore throat that has left me practically unable to speak and have been taking Motrin 800mg to help with the pain/inflammation etc. I was the only nurse scheduled for today and since there were no nurses to cover my shift, my manager had to go into work today. I usually do not call out unless I absolutely cannot go into work & request time off well in advance. My manager recently advised our office manager that she is feeling taken advantage of which caught me off guard and she also is scheduling a meeting for this Friday to air our grievances. No one person can be relied on 24/7 and it is not my fault that there is almost never enough coverage and whenever there is an emergency everyone is left scrambling bc upper management chooses to only have one FT nurse at each site and the rest per diem. Any advice on how to proceed? 

[JohnHood, BSN]

If you are sick, you should not work. You can actually face action by the board if you are infectious and work. It is the management's job to cover a sick call. I would advise having your company's policy on sick calls in hand at your meeting. I understand the manager's frustration. I've been there, but that is not your problem.

[MDelainy, ASN, RN]

Thank you. Her comment of feeling taken advantage of completely caught me off guard, especially as there have been multiple occasions where my toddler has gotten sick and I've still gone to work and left him with his babysitter, if his symptoms were mild. I mainly call out as he ends up getting me sick, and I usually turn out worse than he does! Which is what happened this week. He is now in a toddler developmental group and was only in school three days before getting sick himself. 

[MochaRN424, ASN]

Hello, personally when a company acts like that it truly shows a lack of compassion. I agree if you're sick and not one to call out then why give grief behind it? I would start looking elsewhere as they seem to not want to hire adequate staff so that the manager doesn't have to fill in so much. Your expected to take care of others but not yourself or family.

[Mrsexylegs]

One time I worked a holiday (no problem time and a half is great I thought), well very early in the shift I was injured and had to go to the hospital. The supervisor on duty got the keys as I was being taken off on the stretcher with the ambulance. I get discharged and told not to return to work for at least 3 days. 

 

Upon my return one of the residents said a couple days ago they didn't receive any medications or treatments that day. I looked into it and the manager never did anything that day, and my going to relief for the night called out.  I was horrified.

[RN1987]

Nurses are human. We are allowed to be sick and have the right to stay home and get well. Too bad if a manager has to work. That is what they get paid to do. Perhaps your agency needs to come up with a plan to cover illnesses.