Working while sick

[littleduckrn5]

What do you all do when working while sick? Do you wear a mask while in clinic? This is my first cold/flu season working in a school and I have caught a bad cold. I was already scheduled off today but will be returning tomorrow. I work in K-8 and don't want to scare any of the younger kids if they see me with a mask. Also, even though there is no Coronavirus in my state, the staff are worried about any cough they see.

Any tips? Advice? I already have my bag stocked with tea bags and cough drops for tomorrow.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i don't normally wear a mask in the office, but if i've got a cough, I may put one on if i'm going to be right in someone's face.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I don't wear a mask. I usually just wipe everything down more, keep hand sanitizer close, and follow the same exclusionary rules as my students.

[SandIsMyGlitterRN, BSN, RN]

School nurses are not allowed to be sick!!!! LOL

[ihavealltheice]

No, I wouldn't wear a mask. Chances are, their fellow classmates are coughing, sneezing, and wiping their snotty noses all over them anyway.

I'll wash my hands more frequently and wipe things down, but other than that, I don't take any extra precautions.

[tining, BSN, RN]

I had a student wearing a mask and of course the teacher freaked and sent to me. Explained to the student for a cough and congestion without fever = NO mask!

Honestly if I were sick enough that I felt I needed a mask, I would stay home.

[tining, BSN, RN]

More like attention seeking.

[nursex23, BSN, RN]

I would use this as a teaching moment. If any kiddos in your office see you coughing, I would also make sure they see you washing/sanitizing your hands.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

If you don't change them often, they saturate and become more permeable anyway.

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

I'll only take time off for fever, n/v/d. Otherwise I do wear a mask around my patients when I'm coughing. I know the school environment is different.