Sick Days?

klone, MSN, RN · Aug 16, 2019

5 hours ago, newbienurse97 said:
As per policy I email my manager whenever I called in sick, and the one I just got was a polite response and nothing else was said, so I take it that so far I haven't done anything that warrants a further discussion. But I will definitely try and take better care of my health and really think before I call in sick if it is worth it. Thanks for the replies everyone.

I guarantee that they're watching this pattern. Are you still on probation?

MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN · Aug 16, 2019

If they're concerned about you chances are you may not know and they are slowly building a case against you. As someone else said, giving you enough rope to hang yourself with. They could be establishing a pattern of behavior (or an inconvenience to the unit) against you. Try your best to take care of yourself.

BlueShoes12, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2019

Try to limit future call-ins. At my hospital, you get a warning if you call in more than twice in 90-days (two consecutive days only count as one "occurrence" or call-in).

KalipsoRed21, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2019

It is rare for someone to call off 3 times in 3 months. I think you are having more anxiety than you are willing to verbalize. 1 of your 3 excuses seem ‘legitimate’ to me. The vomiting and/or diarrhea is a reasonable thing to not come to work with.

Mostly what I think you are doing is talking yourself up to make it okay for you to call off. Sinusitis, wear a mask. Couldn’t sleep? Get some caffeine pills and in the future exercise for an hour about 2-3 hours before going to sleep.

Most places I’ve worked you get 3 call offs in 6 months. 1 call off is a maximum of 3 consecutive days. Now don’t get me wrong, as a newbie I kept track of my call offs and I used them to the max because your first year to two of nursing is hell on your psych...and basically no matter what excuse I gave that’s what they were psych days. But ALWAYS call off 2 hours or more before your shift so they have time to adjust the schedule. And ALWAYS follow the policy regarding how many call offs you are allowed to take. My guess is you are maxed out on your call offs and you better not call in unless a family member dies or you are in a terrible accident (like you break or sever off a limb) for at least the next 3-4 months.

allnurses Guide · Aug 17, 2019

What is your company’s sick time policy?

Wash your hands often, keep them away from your face, consider taking probiotics and get on a good solid sleep routine. You need to avoid calling in for the next six months. Heading into flu season means you have put yourself at a disadvantage and will need to be a germ nazi. The problem with calling in for sketchy reasons (not sleeping well and having a head cold) is that when a legitimate reason comes along, you have used up your sick days and your unit’s good will. I can promise you they are concerned about this.

amoLucia · Aug 17, 2019

Remember that OP is a newbie - prob still on probation.

OP - you're on shake-y ground. You need to be a stellar employee to undo the shroud of absenteeism you've created.

For all other newbies (an even oldsters but 'new' to any new position) - absenteeism and tardiness are the easiest things to nail a 'probationer' . The clock/calendar don't lie. Don't give anyone ammunition to sink you.

Tron8622 · Aug 18, 2019

Just try your best , things might change . You might end up saving their orifice and they might view you differently . Time will tell . If your really worried start fresh somewhere else

Subee2, BSN, MSN, CRNA · Aug 18, 2019

Back in the last century I was a DON. If someone called in sick in 3 separate incidents, I'd call them in for a conversation. Perhaps their constitution isn't up to the rigors of floor nursing. And then I'd wait and see if the person got the message and came to work every day for the next 3 months. Message gotten. But a personal conversation might give me more information about this person's legitimate health problems , at which point, I'd try to work with them to exchange a day out for another perhaps. 3 times during probation is a red flag to me.

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2019

On 8/15/2019 at 4:20 PM, verene said:
but probably better to come in and let your manager see you are ill and send you home, rather than call in again, and have them think you are skiving off shifts.

Be aware that if they send you home sick,they do not replace you ,if you call in they do replace,so not to be understaffed,but you really need a MD note when you are out,especially if before or after a holiday,they usually look for a pattern in your sick calls.

You can get a note from urgent care center,online MD, or your PCP office.

amoLucia · Aug 19, 2019

They'll also check out for patterns for those looooong weekends also.

Bearcat-RN · Aug 19, 2019

On 8/15/2019 at 2:05 PM, newbienurse97 said:
Am I over thinking this or should I really try to not have to call in for a long while? I know I can't help it if i'm sick but I can try and pull through so that I am more of a team player.

Of course you should really try to not call in. If you're sick, you're sick. What can you do. However, you even said yourself that you could have sucked it up a couple of those times and gone in. Even if your manager doesn't say something, think about your coworkers on the unit. With you calling off, extra work is likely being displaced onto them. Do it often enough, they will notice and will likely not be too fond of you...

**CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN** · Aug 19, 2019

I’m also a new nurse, and because I’m paranoid about my reputation, I have never called out, and probably won’t unless I’m bleeding from the eyeballs, for the first year. That being said, a lot of people do call out frequently and I’m not sure it has the negative impact I expect. A girl I know recently “called out” of her job interview (car trouble) but it was rescheduled and she still got the job.