new nurse and im already needing time off(long) sorry

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hi im a new nurse ive been off orientation for about a month.... things have been good a few mistakes here and there but nothing major since ive been on my own.....im actually starting to get the hang of it and then bam it happened......i went to my annual gyn and told the doctor i felt a little lump but it wasnt as big as a previous lump i had felt on my left which actually turned out to be a tumor but luckily it was benign and i had surgery to remove that one in july. i really wasnt worried about this it felt much smaller and was closer to my rib than my breast.....the doctor got very serious said she was concerned and wanted an ultrasound right away....i was supposed to work mon night but she got me in for an appt that night to have the U/S i had to call out for the 1st time but i was now as nervous as she was so my concern was on me rather than work......i wasnt scheduled to go back to work until wed night and i really didnt expect results til fri since i got the U/S late on monday night but sure enogh at 11 am wed i got the call its a tumor and considering my history it more than likely benign but its worrysome due to shape and its rate of growth since noone caught it and i have had multiple breast exams by both my surgeon, primary, and gyn since july she wants me to go to the surgeon asap and she made an appt for me to see him later that day....the surgeon already knows me since he did my prior breast surgery. So i call my work i want to give them a heads up my manager seemed very nice i told her there was a possibility i would be calling out she said she understood and told me to get notes so that i can collect from the state whie im out i told her i need to have test done and she the surgeon and break the news to my family that i need surgery again and theres still a chance for cancer. I wound up calling out on wed to see the surgeion and have some blood drawn and calling out thurs(thanksgiving) because i was a wreck and didnt know how to tell my family and make them worry about me again. i called my manager and let her know and left her a message telling her to call me if there is any problem, she didnt. im going to have surgery on dec 9th and ill be out till the 26th with a possibility of an additional week depending on my healing progress at my post op check up....i have to tell her on monday and im nervouse......i missed thanksgiving and im supposed to work christmas eve im going to miss them i told my doc i need to be back for new years day he says i should be ok but still i feel soo bad im afraid she going to be mad that im needing time off fresh off orientation and especially around xmas.....i actually wanted to work the holidays for the extra money....id rather work than have surgery again....im so nervouse to tell her i dont want her to be mad or dissapointed.....im also nervouse about money im not sure how this short term disability works but i cant not have a paycheck and im worried no that i will have that happen all this happened so fast and now im afraid to go abck to work any advice :o :crying2:

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Nicole...you need to take care of yourself first. Your manager sounds understanding; it doesn't sound like she's going to give you a problem.

If she does give you a hard time, ask yourself: Do I want to work for someone who is so unreasonable and uncaring?

Make sure you have all of your doctors' notes, and, more importantly, tkae care of yourself!

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Nicole, your 21 and this surgery could very well secure you a long life, dont worry about your manager, im sure she is a very understanding woman. Remember, this is what agency nurses are for.

I hope it goes well

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Nicole,

Take care of yourself first. As someone said, "Work will work itself out." I know that you are embarrassed because this happened when you are a new hire, on orientation so close to the holidays. But you really can't do anything about the timing of these things. Please know that I'll be thinking about you. Praying that everything turns out OK, but please, take care of you!!

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Nicole...you need to take care of yourself first. Your manager sounds understanding; it doesn't sound like she's going to give you a problem.

If she does give you a hard time, ask yourself: Do I want to work for someone who is so unreasonable and uncaring?

Make sure you have all of your doctors' notes, and, more importantly, tkae care of yourself!

Nicole,

I know it is hard to be new and have something like this arise, but your health and well being must come first. It would be different if you were just calling in frequently sick, but you explained to your manager your situation, which was the right thing to do. Things in life happen that we have no control over...which for us humans can be very difficult to except or understand. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Amy

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Hey your employee is just going to have to deal with it because it's not like you planned it. Life is just crazy and throws some strange things at you. If they have a problem and can't get over it then its on them and its their problem. Being in the healthcare business they should be really understanding. At least you told them you had to handle some personal business and you would be out. Its not like you quit on the spot. Take care of yourself at all costs because there is only going to be one you.:specs:

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Specializes in PACU.

As a former administrator this was my viewpoint when it happened to one of my staff. She was 18 and worked for me only 2 weeks and came in one day early and said "I cant work today I have to go to the doctor" -- when I asked her if everything was ok, she simply said she needed to take care of something. By the third day out, she called and said she had to have surgery/biopsy of a lump --- I completely understood that that took precedence for her while myself, as well as all her collegues, took it upon ourselves to cover her shifts and support her in the best way we could until she was able to come back to work. What I am trying to say is your health is most important right now so work with that. As someone else said, if your manager can not understand that . . .do you want to work for someone like that. You take care of yourself and just keep her updated on what is going on, when you anticipate being back etc.

Good luck to you!!!

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hey guys thanks so much for your kind words and support .....my family has been telling me these same things but it feels better to hear it from an outside source especially those in the healthcare industry....my fiance has been telling me everything will work itself out in the end and i need to think of me right now there will be plenty of time for work after....i hope he and all of you are right and if not ill have alot of thinking to do while im out if after i fufill my contract do i plan to stay with and employer that didnt look out for me.....im going in tomorrow for education day and hopefully ill see her and be able to tell her im also going to type her a letter in case she isnt there because im not back til wed night and i usually dont see her till the a.m. on thurs and that only gives her 1 week notice.....i wanna give as much time as possible to fill my shifts......does ne one know how disability works in nj im not sure how to go about applying for it

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Check with your HR dept. on the disability issue, since requirements vary.

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Specializes in L&D.

Hi Nicole,

Same thing happened to me when I was 21. Everything turned out fine for me. I hope it does for you too! Although I went back to work the following Monday. Are you just having a lumpectomy like I had?

Good luck! And please keep us up to date...:o)

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hey guys i just want to update everyone that i went to work today and talked to my manager and im glad to say things were fine she took me out of the schedule even till after the 1st just in case i need more time and if i feel better i can come back earlier. She even helped with getting in contact with the right people so i can collect from the state which thankfully i should be able to do. thank you everyone for your kind words and support its really appreciated that why i love this site so much!

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Glad to hear that things turned out right with your job! Now hurry up and take care of yourself...:)

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