Who Cares About Us

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As I write this, I have to pause periodically to cough my brains out. In fact, I'm about the sickest I've ever been in my life. I was diagnosed with pneumonia a few days ago, and wouldn't it figure, this Dx landed on my scheduled weekend. I'm a patient tech, and I work in critical care and telemetry. Now, you would think in a perfect world, that the hospital would prefer to keep employees with pneumonia away from critical patients. But I don't find this to be the case. Actually I can recall countless times employees came to work with strep throat, pink eye, and cold/flu symptoms. And I congratulate them on their willingness to trudge through the halls of Tele, sweating with fevers, coughing all over those of us that are still healthy. The supervisors pretend to not notice that they look like death warmed over. Well, let me get to the point of my post. Initially I went to work at the onset of my illness. And yes I was one of those people coughing all over the healthy. I made it through two days of working while sick, but my condition worsened over my two days off. I went to my doctor, he took x-rays, and he diagnosed me with pneumonia. I called out Saturday and again today. It's their response that irked me, no get better, or sorry to hear you're sick. Just nothing... She isn't the most friendly thing on a good day, but as a fellow human being, you think there might be some hint of kindness. Oh well just wanted to take a moment to vent. Thanks in advance for listening.

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Yes, it would be nice to get a little kindness when one is ill. I am sorry you are so sick and I hope you will be feeling better soon. At my old job, a CNA with a temp of 102 was told that she was to either show up for work or she would be terminated. She was a "new employee" so she showed up and it was obvious to all that she was indeed "very ill."

Yes, no one cares for us. All we get is "a kick in the butt."

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So you now know what you are working with.

Kindness is optional, so you will no longer expect it or be surprised when you do not receive any.

You will become your best advocate and do what is best for your health.

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LOL @ "kick in the butt." It's sad but true. I've worked in health care many years, and I know it's the nature of the beast. Thank you, I think it will take a few more days of being on antibiotic before this starts to clear up, but at least I'm off and won't have to call out sick.

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RNperdiem, I agree, but it's just disheartening. Honestly, I feel as awful about having to call out as I feel sick. I think about the extra work placed on my co-workers. Hopefully, calling far in advance gave them the opportunity to find coverage for me. Guilty feelings aside, I would have been useless to them in my present condition. I feel short of breath just walking to the next room.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I wish people would use some common sense when it comes to coming to work spewing germs, being febrile, honking and sneezing. One of my co-workers decided to "share" her germs, and I wound up getting very sick and needed to be hospitalized. The illness I acquired from my co-worker, who should have stayed home, did permanent damage to my lungs. I don't know why she came in, since she was so sick she was worthless. She spent most of the shift sitting at the desk. Occasionally she'd get up to answer a call bell and she'd have this hang-dog/martyred look on her face. It still makes me angry, because now I'm on oral meds and inhalers thanks to her foolishness.

You and your co-workers aren't doing anyone any favors by coming in sick. I'm sorry your boss didn't tell you to get well soon, but the age of employers taking an active interest in their employees has gone the way of the gooney-bird.

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I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. I think I caught mine from an 11-7 PCA who came to work stating that she "had the flu." I did my best to avoid her, and I can't be certain that I caught this from her, but the timing would be right. It's funny your description of "martyred look," because I can clearly recall her having that same look. She was also extremely vocal about having the flu, yet she was allowed to work 12 hours around critically ill patients.

As for the lack of caring, it's fine. That particular supervisor isn't known for her people skills in the first place. The majority of my co-workers (nurses, doctors and techs,) are wonderful people.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Dear Blackcat99,

Get well soon. Corporate America is very cold.

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Everywhere I have ever worked has had the same reaction. If you're in health care it seems like they expect you to be there...sick or not. RARELY have I called in sick, but only once have I not been made to feel like a dirty dog for "not sucking it up" and coming in anyway. No...your coworkers don't want to be around you and risk getting sick, but by golly the "powers that be" expect you to be there heck or high water because the mentality was "Illness doesn't take a break so neither should you!". It was the same if you asked for a day off (even if it was an allowed holiday way in advance). You were treated like you were a rat for daring to ask off. And even in home health it was a case of asking off only meant the same amount of work to do, just less time to get it done. (What kind of a day off is that?)

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Wow OCNRN63.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Get well soon, OP, and don't let the jerks force you to take risks with your health (to say nothing of the PATIENTS you'd be exposing to your germs!). It's not worth it. :no:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology, Epic CT.

I don't think you should feel guilty about calling in...not one bit. Good attempt at trying to work under such horrible conditions, but it was the right thing to do by staying at home. I am sure your chances of getting even MORE worse and prolonging the symptoms of the sickness would have increased if you had worked this weekend. As my grandfather always says, "You're only as good as your health."

As for your superior, forget about it...They do not deserve another moment of your thoughts! You should focus on you.

Just for a little pick me up though...hope you feel better. :)

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