nurses working sick...

[nurse_k]

I am new to OB nursing and am wondering, how sick is too sick to come into work? I have a major head cold, sore throat, and a fever. Prior to OB, I worked on a med-surg floor and there you came into work unless you were dying. I am more concerned now though considering I work with newborns and because of all of the sterile fields we have in our BC. Any advice/comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

If you have a fever you shouldn't go to work. Call in sick and take care of yourself.

[Jo Dirt]

OB and pediatrics is one area I think staff should absolutely not come in sick, otherwise I think a nurse should swallow some Dayquil and toughen up.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Head cold and mild sore throat, I would (and have, with the manager's approval) come into work, and just made VERY sure to wash my hands often. Fever, nuh uh - I will always call in sick for a fever, vomiting or diarrhea (kind of like my kids' school's sick policy).

[TCRNCOB61]

We are only allowed 5 call ins per YEAR or we lose any raise we might get. So many of us work sick no matter what. Our hospital even counts you out sick if you are a pt. in the hospital.

[L&DRN03]

According to Employee Health the policy at my hospital you are not to come to work if you have a fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Of course the unwritten policy at my hospital is that if you call at sick on a weekend/holiday or when staffing is short to begin with you are probably lying.