So these last few months have been a little rough for me, I'm just worried that I'm gonna get myself into trouble at work. So, last month, I had my gall bladder taken out, had to miss a week of work, and the two days before my surgery because I was so nauseated and couldn't keep outta the bathroom. But, I felt bad, knew they were short staffed, and ended up working the night before my surgery. Hadn't slept all day long d/t dr's appt and such, went to work feeling like crap, had to orient someone, and then the next morning went straight from work, downstairs 2 floors and checked myself in for surgery.
Surgery's over, I feel great! I vow to not miss any work because I had missed work for my surgery. Now...have this crazy head cold, URI type of thing going on, giving me killer headache the past two days. Supposed to work tonight, haven't slept, feel like complete crap, don't know what I have, but afraid to not go to work. We get 5 sick days/year, but I really don't wanna push it since i've already had a few in the last few months. But, on the other hand, I would feel horrible if I were to get one of my patients sick or something....so, torn.
So, I guess my question is, would you or would you not go to work? (Supposed to work tonight) I don't wanna seem like I call in too much, because I feel like I have, and get in trouble. But, it's not like I'm just out playing hooky or something, it's legit! I've never used this many sick days ever!! And they were nice enough to really work w/me about my surgery, and now I'm sick again?! But on the other hand, I don't feel good at all, and I don't wanna pass it to anyone else if it's something contagious. hmm. stressing myself out, lol.
I would go in for a head cold. Take some dayquil with you...put on a mask and suck it up. Plenty of nurses do it. Hopefully, they'll send you home. If not save your sick day for when you really need it. FYI, if you're sickly you may want to get FMLA instead of just using your sick days.
If not save your sick day for when you really need it.
It sounds like she DOES really need it now. She has a bad head cold, hasn't slept, and feels like crap... on top of likely being a little run down from a recent surgery. To the OP, I've never been in this situation, but I think I'd stay home. If you think it's going to cause problems at work, make an appt with your PCP tomorrow and get a doctor's note.
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
We are told not to come in if we are febrile. HOWEVER, if we miss more than 3 days, we get written up. It does not matter WHY. I never have understood this catch-22 that we as nurses are put into. I called in sick (I hardly ever do this) one day, had 2 sick days in the previous calendar year already, and when I called in, I spoke directly with my manager. She said, "If you are sick then you are sick. Feel better." When I returned the following day, she wrote me up.
It is a confusing message that they are sending to us. I personally do not want to give anything to anyone, but I also don't want to get written up.
In other words....we're not allowed to be human beings ourselves.
I wouldn't go in. I don't get the point of going to work ill, and why nurses feel we need to do that. It sucks to be short staffed, yes, but it would also suck if you screwed something about because you felt terrible. No need to purposefully go around exposing more people to germs, even if you probably already did expose people. It's hard to get better if you keep trying to work 12 hour shifts through being sick. It's not fair to you, your patients, or your coworkers. Other professions don't seem to have this need to go to work when sick. You can't help being sick.
Thank you so much for all of your perspectives. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who worries about whether i'm going to get written up vs. give my patients something if I choose the other...
But on the other hand, I don't feel good at all, and I don't wanna pass it to anyone else if it's something contagious. hmm. stressing myself out, lol.
himilayaneyes
493 Posts
I would go in for a head cold. Take some dayquil with you...put on a mask and suck it up. Plenty of nurses do it. Hopefully, they'll send you home. If not save your sick day for when you really need it. FYI, if you're sickly you may want to get FMLA instead of just using your sick days.