call out already! (and leave the details out...)

i don't know if it comes with being a nurse but when sick calls are phoned in, it is almost like being a phone triage RN, for your co-workers.

i ask you this...what is wrong with calling in and saying:
"i have the stomach flu"
"i have been sick all night"
"i can't shake a fever"
"i caught the latest bug"
"i have a cold and no energy"

any of these would do. i don't know why, maybe it is a guilt thing...maybe it is too much medical knowledge and you feel the need to prove your illness when you call out sick - but here is what i most hear: (please be advised gruesome details are coming..)

"i have had diarrhea the since 2am and i have been going every 30 minutes, i can't come into work today"

"i have been vomiting since dinner last night, i didn't even digest my food..it just came back up whole! i must of eaten something bad, but i can't come into work today"

"omg, it smells like i have ecoli and i ate some spinach and think i have ecol!, but i don't see any blood in my diarrhea but i am going to stay home today just in case"

"i have the worst fever, i sweated through 3 sets of bedsheets last night and had to take 2 showers already, so i am not coming in today"

UGH!!! i know i am a nurse and used to hearing these sorts of things. but damn! just say you are sick (even if it is mental health...hey i hear you! - but even a fake illness is fine to say "i am sick and can't come in")


And let me just add a side note hear to those "heroes" that come into work sick. you aren't a hero. you are infectious and not impressing anyone. stop being a Martyr and telling everyone how sick you are...but you just couldn't leave us with your work - so you are here even though you should be in bed!! this is why they give plenty of sick days. take one. leave out the details. take care of yourself and get well and then come back to work and tell us an amusing story!


thank you for listening