What are your hospitals policies for calling in sick?

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Specializes in Infusion.

I am still working on pre-reqs but I volunteer at the hospital, and I am just curious what hospital policies are regarding calling in sick?

I am not sure how sick do I have to be to call in and cancel my volunteer shift. I have had this virus for 3 weeks now and just can't seem to get rid of it. Sneezing, coughing, headache, earache and pink, itchy, watery eyes.

I know from working in other jobs, that you would just suck it up, and go to work, but with working around very sick people or in this case, the joint replacement center where patients have just had surgery.

Do you go to work sick? Is the policy like at my childrens school, if your feverish, vomiting, or colored mucus stay home, otherwise it's ok to come in?

Thank you! I just feel so guilty for still being ill.

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Call your nurse manager or volunteer services and ask! I have volunteered in the NICU and it is an absolute no no to come in even with a sniffle. I think that even goes for the nurses. Other areas? I am not sure. But as a volunteer I am sure that they don't want you coming in if you are feeling bad...especially if you have a fever, V, or D!!

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call off when sick

coming to work sick only creates potential for others to get the same virus

The first part of an illness is considered the most contagious, staying 3 feet away and/or wearing a mask provides some protection. 24 -48 hrs after antibiotics is needed to not be contagious if your symptoms are from a bacterial infection. Use super good handwashing and lastly - don't feel guilty - everyone gets sick at some point

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Specializes in Infusion.

Thank you. I guess I just worry about once I am a nurse, and when you get that nagging cough/cold that lasts for weeks. You wouldn't call in sick for weeks right?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

Ask the Employee Health Nurse.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

No, you wouldn't call in for weeks at a time.

With an upper respiratory infection, fever is generally the kicker. When we had the H1N1 epidemic, being febrile was what kept you out of work for sure. If you have cold symptoms, you can wear a mask for patient care. If you have a bacterial infection (ie, strep throat), you can work after you've been on antibiotics for 24-48 hours.

It also depends on how you feel. If you feel you are too sick to work, you call in (your statement of "I know from working in other jobs, that you would just suck it up, and go to work" confused me a little; that wouldn't be a "policy" anywhere....). It's a personal decision, and in the end, no one can really tell you that you HAVE to work, or CAN'T (except for scenarios described as above). In terms of GI illness, it also depends how bad. If you're diagnosed with something like rotovirus (sp?), you'd want to stay home. General belly upset and diarrhea? For me, it would depend on the severity. Often times your doctor can guide you in determining if it is safe, esp if you let them know you work in a healthcare environment.

Ultimately, there isn't going to be a hard and fast "policy" for this. A lot of it is common sense.

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"I know from working in other jobs, that you would just suck it up, and go to work" confused me a little; that wouldn't be a "policy" anywhere....).

Unfortunately, it is the unwritten policy for most nurses as well.....I've got bronchitis and my employer is peeved because I had to take the day off. Dr. ordered it and encouraged tomorrow, but my boss would have several cows if I did that as we are down a couple of nurses already due to the firing of two of them (not related to their work attendance).....don't really want to be the latest blip on the radar to be shot down....so I'll work :mad:

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Unfortunately, it is the unwritten policy for most nurses as well.....I've got bronchitis and my employer is peeved because I had to take the day off. Dr. ordered it and encouraged tomorrow, but my boss would have several cows if I did that as we are down a couple of nurses already due to the firing of two of them (not related to their work attendance).....don't really want to be the latest blip on the radar to be shot down....so I'll work :mad:

I think in any type of work, that would be the "unwritten" policy, I didn't take the question as being about unwritten policies. That I would say yea, because ANY employer wants their people working no matter what. I took the question to be, are there SPECIFIC guidelines for whether or not you HAVE to call in or not.

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Specializes in Infusion.

I have worked other jobs (not healthcare related) where basically if you weren't dying, you were expected to come to work. (Yes, I've had some pretty lousy bosses.)

I guess it really depends on your boss then, as tencat is expected to come into work although sick with bronchitis.

I hope you feel better soon!

Thanks for all your reponses!

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