RN with the flu

YogaloverRN · Jan 26, 2009

Hey sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well, I don't work in the hospital anymore but when I did, they weren't very supportive of illness. If you don't feel better, then go to md and get note, they can't give you a hard time if you have md excuse. Otherwise, they will be critical as you saw on friday, weak but no fever, they expect us to work, but passing out, thats not good! Good luck, feel better! You can go to urgent care also.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jan 26, 2009

Hi everyone, I'm just curious to hear what people's experiences have been with working after having the flu. I got it for the first time on Saturday morning. I knew I felt something coming on and took Thursday and Friday off work (to which my ADON said 'are you serious?!?' about calling out Friday). At 1:30am Saturday morning I awoke with the most excruciating back and trunk pain I've ever had. It took a vicodin leftover from oral surgery to stop the pain. Okay, fell back asleep. An hour later woke back up with a horrible fever, and stomach pain.
Thankfully all the acute Sx subsided, but I'm still extremely exhausted easily, have a semi-sore throat, and sniffles.
I was planning on calling my ADON up today to talk to her about what we should do about the situation. I only have 2 days of PTO left. I have a feeling if I tried working an overnight shift I would probably pass out. I know I still have one more day before my work week is set to start, but I am not sure if I'm still contagious or not.
Just wondering what you would do in my shoes? I'm already dreading what she's going to say to me on the phone after her comment to me on Friday.

how long does vicodin stay in the system? i wouldnt go back to work until it is completely out of your system....if you pass out and they drug test you, you dont really have a "legit" script for this med.....good luck

evilolive, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2009

At this point I'm more worried about getting other staff and residents sick (since I work in a long-term-care facility) and keeping myself well enough to work. It's funny, since Morte mentioned the drug testing, I've never even been tested since I was hired in May..

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2009

I'd go to the doctor.

ktwlpn, LPN · Jan 26, 2009

Hi everyone, I'm just curious to hear what people's experiences have been with working after having the flu. I got it for the first time on Saturday morning. I knew I felt something coming on and took Thursday and Friday off work (to which my ADON said 'are you serious?!?' about calling out Friday). At 1:30am Saturday morning I awoke with the most excruciating back and trunk pain I've ever had. It took a vicodin leftover from oral surgery to stop the pain. Okay, fell back asleep. An hour later woke back up with a horrible fever, and stomach pain.
Thankfully all the acute Sx subsided, but I'm still extremely exhausted easily, have a semi-sore throat, and sniffles.
I was planning on calling my ADON up today to talk to her about what we should do about the situation. I only have 2 days of PTO left. I have a feeling if I tried working an overnight shift I would probably pass out. I know I still have one more day before my work week is set to start, but I am not sure if I'm still contagious or not.
Just wondering what you would do in my shoes? I'm already dreading what she's going to say to me on the phone after her comment to me on Friday.

Go to the doctor,get a note and call your resources dept.You may be covered under FMLA and the days you have already taken will be covered also. If you need to take a week to recover then do it...An illness like that is killer. Your ADON is in for it-it will go through the entire staff now....Hope you feel better soon.DO NOT fret and let yourself feel guilty for taking the time you need..No nurse has to drop dead on the job to prove anything.

country mom · Jan 26, 2009

Wow, I remember my first year in nursing- caught every bug that came through the door. If you're sick, you're sick, not much more you can do. Many facilities have a policy that if you're off 3 or more days, you need a doctor's note to release you back to work. I let someone talk me out of getting a flu shot- once, then I learned my lesson and get my flu shot every year. The other bugs, however, G.I., strep, etc can still rear their ugly heads. Also, if you're febrile, you have no business being around fragile sick people and spreading germs. When people have to cover for me when I'm sick, I do try to return the favor and pick up time when I'm healthy- it all evens out in the end, so don't let them make you feel guilty.

evilolive, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2009

Well I just called my work and spoke to my DON. After telling her my woes, and mentioning that I wasn't sure if I was contagious or not, she told me that it was up to me whether I came back to work or not. Well that seemed pretty vague, so I just got off the phone with her. I just left a message for my Nurse Practicioner to call me back so I could get some solid advice (I love her to death). I have a feeling it's not the right thing to go back yet, but I'm just worrying too much about money and the fallout rather than myself.

Typical nurse, huh?

indigo girl · Jan 26, 2009

Get tested and find out if this is really flu or an influenza like illness [iLI]. Call your health department or your doc. There are many ILI that can mimic flu, though your c/o of pain is more consistent with flu. If it is more than 48 hours, too late for an antiviral...

It would be interesting to know which flu it is that you are harboring. Actually, you are doing well if you have only been out a few days...

Even when you are feeling better, if it is influenza, you can still be shedding virus. Not good for your patients in LTC that may not have been immunized or your peers.

Did you get immunized with flu vaccine?

Unfortunately, staffing issues seem to take precedent over infection control in most facilities. Vote your conscience. Tough decision under pressure of having to pay the bills and the staffing needs of your facility but, suggest not passing your germs on.

Stay home. Take care of you, and get better soon!

evilolive, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2009

Indigo, unfortunately, after many attempts at trying to get vaccinated, it was too late in the season. I asked my ADON, she told me to talk to SDC, SDC never got back to me, and all the while I saw the vaccine sitting in the fridge I go into every night.

No one ever responded to my queries about being vaccinated.

I am hoping my Nurse gets back to me soon. I would like to go in to see her.

Even a 4 hour car ride with my dad yesterday, with a couple stops for shopping and getting a Coke, wore me out. I am pretty positive it's flu, as I did have cold Sx for 2 weeks, but the onset of the pain and fever was sudden and woke me up at night.

I don't mind taking the time off that I need to recover, but it's just a P.I.T.A. If I dip below 32 hrs/week I lose my health benefits. I can use PTO to make up for these hours, but since I've only worked there 8 months, I only have about two more days of PTO left. I do have some cash reserves, but geez. Do all places stick sick time and vacation time in the same PTO category? I hope not..

indigo girl · Jan 26, 2009

I'm sorry. Don't mean to put you on the spot as I've been there myself...

I blame this on the low priority that facilities place is on stopping disease transmission. They talk the talk, but they don't walk it.

They may look good on paper but continue to pressure staff to work when sick.

Take care of yourself, really, and do what you have to do, hon. It's truly terrible that we have to make these tough choices.

I'd have a chat with your infection control nurse when this is all over.

evilolive, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2009

Oh, no worries about the post...

Too bad we don't have an infection control nurse (as far as I know...). It might be my staff development coordinator, but I'm not sure. I had a pretty good day in terms of the exhaustion so I'm going to see how I far on my 11-7 shift tomorrow.