Why do I feel guilty?

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I worked for three days (24, 25, 26) and am scheduled to work this coming Friday. My back is quite tender and pain is going down the left side. This isn't unusual for me as I do have back issues, but it's quite sore today.

I was just called to ask if I could work evenings tonight and, in all honestly, I'd likely have said yes, but my back is just too sore. So, why do I feel horribly, horribly guilty?

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Because you have a great work ethic, and you probably love your job. You have a desire to take care of others, and when you can't (due to illness/injury), you feel badly.

Don't feel guilty for taking care of yourself! You need to feel your best so you can provide the best care for your patients!

I hope your back gets to feeling better soon!

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
Because you have a great work ethic, and you probably love your job. You have a desire to take care of others, and when you can't (due to illness/injury), you feel badly.

Don't feel guilty for taking care of yourself! You need to feel your best so you can provide the best care for your patients!

I hope your back gets to feeling better soon!

:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

because you know how hard it is when you have to work short-handed and care enough about your co-workers not to want the same for them. However, if you don't take care of yourself you cannot take care of others.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Rest tonight. Take a nice hot bath and enjoy a cup of tea or do what ever relaxes you. Don't feel guilty about not being available for tonight. There will bo other times when you are feeling better and are available.

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Because you answered the phone instead of screening your calls *teases*. I hope your back feels better soon!

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Specializes in Long Term Care, Med Surg, Marketing.

Having answered those calls so many times over the past 12 years, I can understand. I feel guilty alot myself when I am not available to come in, or need some time for myself or family:nono:. I think we somehow feel we are letting our coworkers down if we can't come in. Just over the past view years i've come to realize that we are all human, and we cannot be everything to everyone all of the time. There are times when we can help out, and times that we can't. Don't beat yourself up over it, i'm sure they will manage, we always do!!!!:nurse:

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Take care of your back or you will be out longer. Don't feel guilty you did you time and enjoy the New year.

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Specializes in MSP, Informatics.

Don't answer the phone! that is what caller ID is for! :eek:

and don't feel guilty. You need to take care of yourself, and that is something not a lot of nurses do enough of. You won't be any help to anyone if you push beyond your physical limit and really hurt yourself. Listen to your body.

thing is, you probably feel more guilty than the staff member who banged-in and left the floor short to begin with! you arn't the guilty one here.

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