Working while sick

[Nurseratchet789]

I have recently been told by patient that she doesn't want me to take care of her. I had cold at that time and was wearing mask to protect my patients. She said "I don't want your bug". I had to give my patients to another nurse and was sent home. What do you usually do? Do you go to work while sick or stay home? I feel there is simply not enough vacation hours to cover sick days. What everybody thinks?

[loriangel14, RN]

If I'm sick I stay home. My patients and my coworkers don't what I have.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You were sent home because the patient complained. I would not wear a mask with a simple cold. That brought attention to your illness.

I stayed home when I was too sick to work. Having a cold did not qualify. I never ran out of sick time.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I understand OP's frustration. Many employers use a PTO system for ALL non-worked time (vacation, holiday, sick time). I have been told that the rationale for this is to prevent unnecessary call-ins. IMO, this pretty much guarantees that sick people will come to work rather than use vacation days.

I don't have any solutions - but I'm sure tired of picking up cooties from my coworkers.

[cleback]

Interesting. At my employment, if you have an upper respiratory illness and no fever, you can come to work and have to wear a mask. It is our policy. I can't say I've done it but I've seen other nurses and physicians do it. Not a big deal. maybe you really looked ill and that's why they sent you home?

[guest52816]

When I am sick, I stay home. In fact, I called-in last Monday because I was in the beginning stage of a cold and felt horrible. The UHS facility that I work for doesn't have paid sick time. You either go without pay, or take PTO. I opted for going without pay.

Last night, one of the my coworkers arrived to work with her right hand bandaged and wrapped. She had had surgery the previous day for trigger finger and couldn't use her hand at ALL.

That meant she couldn't write notes. Couldn't make a bed. Dispense medications, etc. Basically, she couldn't do any nursing duties because do you know of a nursing job that doesn't require hands?

As charge nurse on the unit, she was of no use to me. She wanted to avoid a call-in and be allowed to answer telephones. Nope. I suggested she go home and take care of her hand. Fortunately, she called-in tonight.

If you are sick, you are sick. Nobody needs to be a martyr.

[NurseCard, ADN]

OP, I don't think there's anything wrong with what you did, unless

you were truly too sick to work, and came in anyway. Otherwise,

wearing a mask seems appropriate when coughing or sneezing a

lot, to avoid spreading the germs.

Did you explain to the patient, calmly and matter of factly, that

you had a minor cold and your mask was to PREVENT you from

giving her your germs? That you also were diligent in keeping your

hands clean and washed?

I don't feel like you should have been sent home. Unless, again

you truly were too sick to work.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I'll work with a cold or sinus infection (not highly contagious, but painful), but never ever with flulike sx, GI stuff, or any virus that leaves me feeling weak.

[Jules A, MSN]

I always work with a cold but not with fever, GI or flu which I rarely have anyway. When I have a cold as soon as I noticeably sniffle or cough I say "please excuse me I have bad allergies" and in my area there is always something putting out noxious pollen that has everyone stuffed up so I've never had a complaint.