Sick Day

[EPIC_nurse]

So yesterday I was out sick for the first time since starting this job. I was pretty nervous about how it would go without me there, but sometimes you just have to do what's best for yourself (and probably best for others cause who wants me coughing around them all day??). The nursing supervisors for the district have float nurses that cover when we are sick, so that was fine, but all the staff has been telling me how lost they were without me! The office had to call an ambulance for a parent while the float was on lunch; my regular daily med kids were refusing to take meds from a different nurse; the float did a wrong correction calculation on a diabetic (which didn't end up badly but still!); and on top of that the float nurse said it was just nuts in the office and she couldn't wait for me to come back (although looking at the charting, she only saw like 12 kids?)!

I guess it makes you feel pretty good to be needed but geez! A girl is gonna get sick sometimes and they gotta function without me! From the float's reaction it seems like other schools she covers aren't this crazy - perhaps that's why the nurse before me requested a transfer

[Cattz, ADN]

You are right. You can't help when you are sick. You are super human to do what you are doing. But, even so, sickness will happen. I did see your previous post about your anxieties of being a brand new nurse and doing your job. From this post, it sounds like you must be doing an amazing job in your building, if it was this hard for it to be handled in your absence.

Keep on keepin on, sounds like you are on your way!! Good for you!!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

You are appreciated more after the first day you are not there .

[Farawyn]

Yes, no one needs a nurse until you are not there to pick up all the pieces.

However, do NOT let them guilt you. You are entitled to your time.

[SnowyJ, RN]

It's hard to be out! I always feel like I am leaving "my kids" with a sitter.

[NanaPoo]

I feel a smidge of guilt on the rare day that I'm out but I get over it fairly quickly. The survived without me for years before I came and they can survive a day without me. Worst case scenario they call 911 and everyone can do that, right?

Seriously, a seasoned RN subs for me and so far I've only taken a half day off this year. She texted me the entire time and asked me questions about chapstick and insanely simple, mundane things and it made me realize I've spoiled these kiddos to death. I've gotta toughen these kids up before I'm out again.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Yup, missed the first three days of Jan (mom was sick)...Should have taken the 4th day but I didn't...but I have the time and did not feel bad at all!