When Should You Call Off Sick?

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Hi, I have always thought I would like to be a nurse, but I tend to get sick (contagious illnesses) a little more often than other people. I was wondering, as a nurse, when is it best to call off from work due to illness? I mean, I would always be worried if I had what seemed to be a cold or a flu, for example, that it would get patients sick, but I wouldn't want to call off too often either. Can you wear a facial mask when you are sick to minimize the likelihood of getting patients ill, or what do you do? Thanks.

I would need more info from this person. "get sick"---meaning what? true flu with fever of 102, or stuffy nose and sore throat? "more often than others" meaning? weekly, every two weeks, every month, etc? To spend money and time on college to get a degree for any field, all have policies about calling in. Taking care of patients that are already ill, means making wise choices. Working with a cold, allergies, sore throat, etc is fine....but it may also depend on the area you want to work, like oncology---if patients have wbc of 2, I wouldn't want you breathing on me. I do not normally wear masks due to having a stuffed nose or sore throat. Too many unknowns to answer the question well, in my opinion.

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Surg.

We were allowed five call-ins in a 12 month period. I highly recommend you get a calendar and mark it so you never call in enough to be written up for excessive absences. At my hospital, you could stay out two days at a time if you made that time contiguous. For example, calling in Monday and Tuesday was considered one absence, whereas if you made the mistake of attempting to return to work too early by coming in Tuesday, then deciding you actually need another day off... that was two absences. Make sense? Anyway, that was their system so I learned to use it. I never called in for just one day.

Now, what constitutes a valid absence? The hospital claims they don't want you to come in sick but they're just saying that; they really want you to fill the roster no matter what. So minor stuff isn't a good reason. Diarrhea is always a good reason, as is pink eye. A really nasty cough or frequent sneezing (unless you're certain it's only allergies) are also good reasons to stay away. And of course, there is always the infamous mental health day where you're not so much "sick" as "sick of".

Since my hospital practically required a note from my mortician despite their official policy, I didn't feel any particular guilt at calling in. I'd call in with crushing substernal chest pains radiating into my shoulder and jaw, and the night supervisor would ask me, "Don't you think you could come in anyway?" It was demonstrations like that for my welfare that relieved me of any guilt at calling in. Just don't do it enough to get gigged.

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I've been doing the a loooooong time, and I still struggle with this! According to institution policy, you can call out 4 times per 12 months before disciplinary action is initiated. The policy also says "never come to work sick." I think this translates to "Never get sick!" Considering what our job entails, that is ludicrous! And they wonder why we get a little jaded????

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Whenever you're sick especially if it's contagious. That's part of protecting your patients too.

True, but when you're only allowed 3 call ins a year, sometimes you're stuck wearing a mask, washing your hands every 5 seconds and hoping for the best.

My rule of thumb is I only call off if I physically cannot get myself to work. I figure they can always send me home if they think I'm too sick to be there but I made it in. At my facility if you get sent home, it doesn't count as a call in against you.

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if you're sick with something you feel is contagious obviously call out. If you're sick even with a cold and you feel like you won't be able to give your best, call out too. I always call out when I'm not feeling well because it's not fair to my patients or coworkers to be working and not giving 100% because all I am thinking about is my bed and some tea!

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I say call in sick when you feel you really need a break. Take care of yourself. It's not all about the physical. Mental health days count too.

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Specializes in ED.

California has new sick leave laws that came into effect last June. Employers cannot ask why you are using sick leave.

I feel sick leave should depend on your ability to effectively do your job, not on degree of sniffles. The patient still comes first, if you work in a high acuity, high energy position such as a busy ED in my case, and you can't sustain that level for 12 hours don't come to work. You may jeopardize patients and create more work for your colleagues. If you can't give your best, by all means call in sick.

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Whenever I call in sick staffing generally wants a VERY detailed reason why you cant come in..."Sick" just won't do it for them. A few months ago i had to tell them about my n/v/d, which was a little TMI for me. (I can talk about anyone else's bowels, just not about mine lol)

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Surg.
Whenever I call in sick staffing generally wants a VERY detailed reason why you cant come in..."Sick" just won't do it for them. A few months ago i had to tell them about my n/v/d, which was a little TMI for me. (I can talk about anyone else's bowels, just not about mine lol)

You need to make them regret they asked. Supply vivid descriptions, associating it with things staffing probably are enjoying while they're talking to you, such as a cup of coffee. I trained several nurses to stop asking me questions like that by just gushing forth with details, if you know what I mean. And quit worrying about it's yours; they're not going to see it any more than any other bowel movement you've ever had. But do this a couple of times and they will be happy to accept the excuse of "GI upset".

Don't be embarrassed; embarrass them for asking. You don't want to go through life a victim, do you? :Emoticon-Devil:

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Specializes in ED.
Whenever I call in sick staffing generally wants a VERY detailed reason why you cant come in..."Sick" just won't do it for them. A few months ago i had to tell them about my n/v/d, which was a little TMI for me. (I can talk about anyone else's bowels, just not about mine lol)

Yeah, there is usually a big disconnect between staffing and HR. Also a subtle yet important distinction between staffing and scheduling. Quite often schedulers have no clinical background and that subtlety goes right by them. I think the worst method for good staffing is self scheduling. Usually a manifestation of leadership inadequacies.

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I only call out when febrile or unable to leave the bathroom. We have PTO time so if you stay home when you are just not feeling great, you are not able to take time off when you really want to.

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dont forget about pink eye ;)

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