Was about to be forced to go to work

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I'm just wondering if there is anything backing my feelings u in this. Okay about a week ago I had a horrible ear infection. There was drainage, and my gland all around my ear were swollen. I was also vomiting. I am in the float pool and currently working on the oncology floor. I had to call in for about a week b/c I could barely lift my head up. Well on a Friday I called in 5 hours before my shift everything seemed fine. About an hour later I received a call that unless I had a definite fever I had to come in. I was blown away. How this hospital could put their patients in that risk. Yes I had been on antibiotics for a week but I was totally foggy headed. Plus, I wouldn't want a nurse that was sick so how could they expect my patients to want me. Anyway I called my Boss (over the float pool) and she was upset, b/c she has known me for like 5 years and knows I do not call in unless I'm seriously ill. Shes straightened things out and I didn't go in but that worries me. What kind of liabilities do we face if we are ill and forced to work. Idk its just been bothering me b/c I've been an employee at this hospital for 4 years as a Cna and now I'm a nurse there and I just thought they held higher standards. Is this normal? Has anyone ever encountered this?

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

I've never experienced that, but would think since you've obviously been the doctor with your illness he/she would be able excuse you from work due to a medical reason, fever or not. They were probably just trying to scare you into coming in which seems like a very lame tactic. My understanding is there is no liability on your part as the state board would see this as an employee-employer staffing issue not a nurse liability issue. I totally agree that it is unsafe for a nurse to be working who is ill or possibly infectious. If employers have no internal staff to cover a shift usually they turn to agency which just costs lots of $$$ for them. I wouldn't worry about it especially since your boss knows you are a good employee and that is what matters.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I agree, it seems that your boss took care of it, and that is all that matters. I have not seen this happen where I work, but have heard of strong arm tactics used to intimidate people to come to work in other places. It is a horrible thing. I would have probably turned over in my bed and not even answered the phone, but walked in with my doctor's note (and have cc'd it to SEVERAL people) since they are such bastards to their employees.

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lol, was the person who called you the one that was going to be mandated to stay....just a thought....if you are taking something for the pain, you REALLY dont want to go in and get drug tested, now do you?

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

this never happened to me but it happened to a nurse i know. she was very sick tried to call off and was told she had to come in. she did , she started working sick , became very confused at the pixus they took her to the ER was admitted and she ended up dying 3 days later in our hospital. now they never tell us we have to come in when we are sick.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.
this never happened to me but it happened to a nurse i know. she was very sick tried to call off and was told she had to come in. she did , she started working sick , became very confused at the pixus they took her to the ER was admitted and she ended up dying 3 days later in our hospital. now they never tell us we have to come in when we are sick.

That's just terrible. Co-workers/supervisors have tried to strong-arm me but that's why is use caller ID and voice mail. How bout I call you back if I wanna work. I feel that as long as you work your required days you should be left alone............period.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
That's just terrible. Co-workers/supervisors have tried to strong-arm me but that's why is use caller ID and voice mail. How bout I call you back if I wanna work. I feel that as long as you work your required days you should be left alone............period.

well , when i call off , i stayed called off. i never call back into say i feel better and want to come in. when you call off and call back and say " oh i feel better i'll be in" it creates doubt to your call ins. so i just stay called off and enjoy the day. i don't go in on my days off , when i have in the past the day was horrible and i wish i stayed home. lol...

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