Nursing Guilt

Davey Do · Jan 7

Whenever my physical or mental health was impaired to the point that would inhibit me from performing my job adequately, I would call off, which was typically about two times per year. If I felt or believed my presence would do more harm than good, I called off.

For example, if I had a bad cold, felt terrible, and didn't want to spread pathogenic organisms to patients and staff, I called off. Also, if I was emotional to the point that I would be as bad, or worse than, the psychotic population I served, I would call off.

As pain is a personal perspective, I had no problem with feelings of guilt for calling off, and attempted to view my pain from a professional, objective perspective.

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Jan 7

That's going to be a very subjective and individual decision. While there are certainly guidelines within each organization, ideally I would say I am in no position to judge what other people deem as a necessity for their health or the health of others. However, in my head, I do sometimes judge when it impacts others and appears to be someone taking advantage.

Career Columnist / Author · Jan 7

I think there should be no-fault call outs, meaning no reason given. Attendance problems are managed by the rules in place for discipline.

allnurses Guide · Jan 8

I don't feel guilty at all if I'm sick I'm sick

toomuchbaloney · Jan 8

That paid time off if YOUR benefit. Don't feel guilty for taking YOUR paid time off to care for your own health. Don't let your employer gas light you about who has responsibility for insuring there is enough staff to conduct their business.

The PTO is YOURS and the responsibility to provide safe staffing is THEIRS.

MoLo · Jan 8

What I like is the idea that if you know that you cannot do your best work for WHATEVER reason, you stay home. There are many reasons that patient care can be negatively impacted. I have had a bit of a Puritan work ethic, but stayed home once because my cat was lost and I could not stop crying. (The cat sauntered back after a few days vacationing at a neighbor's).

delrionurse · Jan 9

MoLo said:

Curious, where are the lines for calling out sick from work?

If you force someone to work in a hostile environment, then those are lines for calling out.

MoLo · Jan 9

And a conversation with Human Resources. And an ethics hotline if your hospital has one. Assuming conversations with a manager have been unproductive. It's just not acceptable.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jan 25

MoLo said:

What I like is the idea that if you know that you cannot do your best work for WHATEVER reason, you stay home. There are many reasons that patient care can be negatively impacted. I have had a bit of a Puritan work ethic, but stayed home once because my cat was lost and I could not stop crying. (The cat sauntered back after a few days vacationing at a neighbor's).

Cats are little ***. I've had a lot of them, and called in because they were sick too.

kp2016 · Jan 25

My thoughts on this have evolved a lot on this over the years. Lets just go with we would never tell someone who presented to the ER with a paper cut, a dental cavity or because they had driven the dental cavity patient and figured they could get a quick once over at the same time (all true life patients) that they are ridiculous time wasters who won't be seen.

They are all seen (eventually, apparently they had plenty of time). We need to stop this notion that nurses are entitled to less than we accept our patients are entitled to. If a nurse is sick they should stay home. If they are in pain, physical or emotional they should stay home. If their cat has choose to torture them they need to stay home and suffer.

Staffing the unit is the job of management and not the responsibility of individual nurses. The sooner nurses stop dragging themselves to work sick or injured and force management to do their job the better.

MoLo · Jan 27

I am so appreciative of the cat compassion!

Have been on both sides, staff nursing and administration. As much as it can be challenging to manage call outs, it is both the right and the ethical expectation of the nurse to care for themselves. I have watched nurses drag themselves in and work miserably (one with a broken wrist after a fall on the way to work, staff came and got me and I dragged her to the ED), and its painful to see (patients have come to my office and told me to "send that one home!"). My schedule has gone out the window as I have been the replacement nurse many times, and after the initial frustration, I have ALWAYS had a good time being part of the team, refreshing my skills, being reminded of their challenges, and BEING A NURSE (just plain good for the soul).