Has anyone ever taken an extended leave of absence from work? Lately, I've been contemplating taking a 4 week leave of absence from work.
I did go back for 3 weeks after COVID, but I'm not sure I did myself any favors. Any time I overexert myself, my bronchitis and angry pleural sac flare up. This last week, I worked 3 6 hour days, 2 12 hour days, did PT 2x, yoga on Saturday and Pure Barre on Sunday. Today, I spent an extensive amount of time sleeping. I also noticed that I've lost another 3 lbs, making for a 13 lb weight loss in 1 month, when I never needed to lose weight to begin with. It just seems like I'm not going to get any better until I slow down. I feel like 4 weeks with no work would give me time to exercise while resting when I want.
Has anyone else ever taken a long leave from work and has it helped?
One thing someone had mentioned to me is instead of always being angry and trying to avoid COVID patients, I can use this experience to allow me to become a stronger nurse. I keep mentioning that the other manager should get the COVID patients, but I may very well be a good nurse for them since I can relate to the experience. I can choose to make this a negative experience or I can make it a positive one; I didn't choose to get COVID but I did choose to be a nurse and I can choose how I react to things.
Is it unreasonable to find a different position if my current one won't accommodate my request for limited COVID exposure/unfair assignment of COVID patients?
No, in fact I think it's warranted
8 hours ago, SilverBells said:
One thing someone had mentioned to me is instead of always being angry and trying to avoid COVID patients, I can use this experience to allow me to become a stronger nurse. I keep mentioning that the other manager should get the COVID patients, but I may very well be a good nurse for them since I can relate to the experience. I can choose to make this a negative experience or I can make it a positive one; I didn't choose to get COVID but I did choose to be a nurse and I can choose how I react to things.
That's up to you, but either way, stop complaining/questioning about it and make a decision
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
20 hours ago, SilverBells said:
Is it unreasonable to find a different position if my current one won't accommodate my request for limited COVID exposure/unfair assignment of COVID patients?
Of course you can look for a job that better suits your needs. However I would be careful about asking for limited Covid contact. In these times we all have to share the load.
You know you really don't need this to be the reason you look for another job. People here have been advising you to look for another job for close to two years. If you reside in an "At Will" state you can quit anytime, for any reason or no reason at all, however it is considered professional courtesy to give a minimum of two weeks notice. You will certainly make more money and if you relocate you may get a relocation bonus to set you up in an apartment or condo.
It's a sad fact that healthcare facilities see nurses as a cost liability and not as assets. It's even sadder when you get smacked in the face by this reality. Your employer does not see you as an asset and they don't value you. Their unwillingness to make even simple accommodations speaks volumes.
This advice will probably fall on deaf ears but you are in a unique situation of standing at one of lifes intersections. "Do I forge ahead, or turn left or right. What if I take a road I haven't traveled before?" The fact is you won't know until you jump. I am going to put some stuff in the breakroom healthy eating and exercise forum about Acid reflux and simple diet changes to combat this annoyance. Hope to see you there.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I might add that I worked skilled /rehab for about a year when I was between psych jobs so I know the workload, ratio's and performance expectations quite well. It's probably the hardest job I have ever done. I did try to encourage teamwork between licensed and nonlicensed staff but I found that quite often my relief was late or didn't show up at all so I was stuck there for 10 to 16 hours while they found someone to come in. It all came to a head when I wanted Super Bowl Sunday off. I asked in advance was told it was granted in writing and come the Saterday before I noticed I was on the schedule for Sunday. I called the DON and stated I could not work that day and had been given the day off in writing. The answer I got was that a staff had quit and they really needed me to come in. This conversation went back and forth for a bit and I agreed to come in for 4 hours. The big day arrived and at the end of my 4 hours there was no replacement so I picked up the phone and call the DON and said she better come on down because I was leaving in 20 minutes and that I was happy to either give the report by phone or write it down for her. It took her about 40 minutes to arrive and as I was leaving I gave her my two weeks notice. Just beacuse they give you a paycheck doesn't mean they own you.
I might add that I worked skilled /rehab for about a year when I was between psych jobs so I know the workload, ratio's and performance expectations quite well. It's probably the hardest job I have ever done. I did try to encourage teamwork between licensed and nonlicensed staff but I found that quite often my relief was late or didn't show up at all so I was stuck there for 10 to 16 hours while they found someone to come in. It all came to a head when I wanted Super Bowl Sunday off. I asked in advance was told it was granted in writing and come the Saterday before I noticed I was on the schedule for Sunday. I called the DON and stated I could not work that day and had been given the day off in writing. The answer I got was that a staff had quit and they really needed me to come in. This conversation went back and forth for a bit and I agreed to come in for 4 hours. The big day arrived and at the end of my 4 hours there was no replacement so I picked up the phone and call the DON and said she better come on down because I was leaving in 20 minutes and that I was happy to either give the report by phone or write it down for her. It took her about 40 minutes to arrive and as I was leaving I gave her my two weeks notice. Just beacuse they give you a paycheck doesn't mean they own you.
Just found out the other manager is being nominated for employee of the month. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but it can't be that I'm not working enough hours. After all, I used to work 18-21 hours and still didn't get nominated. Somehow, she's found a way to shine. No COVID patients, Employee of the Month, on/off work schedule...
Just found out the other manager is being nominated for employee of the month.
Sometimes I feel I am getting played by you. This is one of them. Get out of there, get a life, get some life interests, tell your family off, buy a house that doesn't cost half a million, take the time to get better from covid.
Sometimes I feel I am getting played by you. This is one of them. Get out of there, get a life, get some life interests, tell your family off, buy a house that doesn't cost half a million, take the time to get better from covid.
Wondering how that statement made you feel that way? Sorry, not trying to play anyone, just genuinely confused.
One thing I have thought of is having surgery for acid reflux. I used to be able to enjoy Fritos, for example. Now, they seem to make me sick. If I had surgery, I might be able to enjoy my preferred foods again. My mom told me that she doesn't think a provider will perform surgery just so I can have chips.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
3 hours ago, SilverBells said:
One thing I have thought of is having surgery for acid reflux. I used to be able to enjoy Fritos, for example. Now, they seem to make me sick. If I had surgery, I might be able to enjoy my preferred foods again. My mom told me that she doesn't think a provider will perform surgery just so I can have chips.
You don't need surgery for Acid reflux and all surgeries come with the risk of complications. If you come over to the breakroom wee could talk about healthy changes. I actually am working on a book that discusses Western medical practices, herbalism and therapeutic diets. It's due to be finished some time next year.
SilverBells, BSN
1,108 Posts
One thing someone had mentioned to me is instead of always being angry and trying to avoid COVID patients, I can use this experience to allow me to become a stronger nurse. I keep mentioning that the other manager should get the COVID patients, but I may very well be a good nurse for them since I can relate to the experience. I can choose to make this a negative experience or I can make it a positive one; I didn't choose to get COVID but I did choose to be a nurse and I can choose how I react to things.