sick nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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I will soon be a new grad. and I have noticed a lot of nurses who work with colds and coughs; one even told me she had to keep running to the bathroom to throw-up. Is this a good evironment for spreading colds and viruses, or are shortages just so bad that nurses have to work sick? Is it possible to do a good job while sick?

Thanks for replying.

Things sure are different in Canada!

We're still recruiting.... hint hint....;)

One of the reasons you can't just compare salaries when deciding on a job:)

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We're still recruiting.... hint hint....;)

One of the reasons you can't just compare salaries when deciding on a job:)

Lol. I know what you mean about looking at a lot more than just salary when finding an employer. In The U.S., however, it's pretty much unheard of to be told anything about a job before starting, except for your wage, shift and the unit you'll be working on.

I'm an Arizona girl. I'm used to 115 degrees in the summer. Think I can hack it up there in The Great White North? :p

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
Lol. I know what you mean about looking at a lot more than just salary when finding an employer. In The U.S., however, it's pretty much unheard of to be told anything about a job before starting, except for your wage, shift and the unit you'll be working on.

I'm an Arizona girl. I'm used to 115 degrees in the summer. Think I can hack it up there in The Great White North? :p

I dont know

personally I hate cold weather and snow and all that nasty stuff

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I dont know

personally I hate cold weather and snow and all that nasty stuff

No snow here now- beautiful spring. Sunny, about 65 degrees today.

However, our winters are still not as bad as Rochester or some of the other cities in the North East.

But our winters can still be brutual- especially compared to the Southern US.

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We have the policy that you have to make up the weekend if you call in sick or even try to take a vacation that is scheduled on your weekend to work. On our unit if you request a day off they as a vacation they ask which other day would you like to work. I asked off for my daughters graduation and it wasn't on my weekend off and they started to give me a hard time and I reminded them that I had come in extra the weekend before when they were short so I felt that that should count as my makeup day. We shall see if that works. We noticed at our hospital anyone that gets hurt or seriously ill they are mysteriously fired the day they go into thier Long Term disablement pay. And this is a benefit that we pay for. I realize there is alot of abuse out there and because of this it makes the rest of us suffer. Also if everything is so great in Canada as a nurse why are so many of my coworkers from Canada. It is tough on them being away from thier families and when they take a vacation they have to dchedule off quite a few weeks to be able to drive home and have a worthwhile visit.

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Sorry for the typos I was up all night with a sick child!

We have the policy that you have to make up the weekend if you call in sick or even try to take a vacation that is scheduled on your weekend to work. On our unit if you request a day off they as a vacation they ask which other day would you like to work. I asked off for my daughters graduation and it wasn't on my weekend off and they started to give me a hard time and I reminded them that I had come in extra the weekend before when they were short so I felt that that should count as my makeup day. We shall see if that works. We noticed at our hospital anyone that gets hurt or seriously ill they are mysteriously fired the day they go into thier Long Term disablement pay. And this is a benefit that we pay for. I realize there is alot of abuse out there and because of this it makes the rest of us suffer. Also if everything is so great in Canada as a nurse why are so many of my coworkers from Canada. It is tough on them being away from thier families and when they take a vacation they have to dchedule off quite a few weeks to be able to drive home and have a worthwhile visit.
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Specializes in Medical.

It sounds difficult having policies varying so much from place to place!

In Victoria, we're allowed three (non-accruable) single days a year, three single days a year with a statuatory declaration, and accruable sickleave with a medical certificate as follows: first year of service 12 days; second - fourth year of service 14 days; fifth year of service and above 21 days (pro rata for part time). I've got around 900 hours accrued, and I have friends who have a sick leave bank over 2000.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

We get warned, then written up then fired. Full time people get canned after 112 hours of sick time and it is prorated on your hours.

Sure, we aren't forced to work, but sometimes you have to save your sick days for when the kids are home sick, so we go in with colds and such, wear masks, wash our hands , etc. Is it ideal? NO. But, nurses aren't allowed to be sick! :rolleyes:

Oh and if, god forbid, you are sick before or after a paid day off (holiday or vacation) you get double the points ( ie 8 hours = 16 hours of sick) Isn't that just soooo special!

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A friend of mine called in once because she had a bad case of pink eye. Not only did they tell her she should come in anyway, but they told her that its her own fault because she obviously doesn't practice good infection control.

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