Terrified to call in sick.... wwyd?

[FTMFML]

I've been poorly the past week with this dreaded cold going about.
Yesterday was even worse, and today I haven't been out my bed. Spiking temps all night and struggling to keep them under control with Ibuprofen/Paracetamol and no duvet!

I'm due on Christmas nightshift...
I really don't want to phone in sick, people always piss take on Christmas so ho doubt they'll be short already.
But OH is adamant I do....

Would you leave it longer or phone in now to allow them to try and get cover?
(I work as a nurse)

Well it’s undeniable the sooner you ring the sooner they can get cover.

It's crap but I'd call in. Yes they'd be short but honestly how are you going to manage 12 hours on your feet overnight feeling as awful as you feel?

People absolutely do take the piss over Xmas, but you're not.

You have to call in, none of your patients are going to want your bug on top of the reason they are in hospital in the first place. From my experience of working on a ward at Christmas only the sickest are in for Christmas Day itself so an added infection isn't going to help them in any way.

I'd ring sooner rather than later, though they're unlikely to get cover but maybe agency, but I've been in a similar situation over Christmas and tbh the fear won and I went in unwell, wish I hadn't but I do know where you're coming from because unfortunately no one believes that you can ever be genuinely ill at Christmas so unfortunately you're going to face that kind of attitude anyway.
Really sucks though and I feel for you, get well soon 💐

If you're a nurse you would want to pass on a nasty cold would you? I'd call and explain and I agree the quicker you do it the less chance it'll mess them up.

Caveat that if it is just a temperature and not sneezing/mucus everywhere then you might be able to struggle through without looking too unprofessional to the patients. But still think if you are germ ridden and work in healthcare then you should stay away.

Phone in now.

Phone in now. If u r sick yiu can't go in. Hope you are on your feet soon

Phone in now.
Do you work in a hospital or care home setting? Just curious

Phone in sick, you can’t help being sick!

I totally understand the guilt, but imagine how guilty you'd feel if you infected vulnerable patients. Call in and then try not to think about work until you're better.

Another saying phone in sick. You can't put the patients at even more risk than they already are. It's unfortunate timing but it is what it is.

Poor you and I hope you’re well soon.
You are very obviously ill and you can’t take care of patients if you can’t take care of yourself

Your post brought a lump to my throat OP because once again it highlights the amazing job nurses do

Please call in if your not well x

Phone in sick. If they kick up a fuss then go in and they'll send you home sick.

Work in Accident and Emergency for the poster who asked, I had figured I could go in and at least work with the Covid/Flu patients that way I'm unlikely to be making anyone else ill but I absolutely understand that as a patient people wouldn't particularly want me as their nurse... feel abit damned if I do damned if I don't.

From experience I wouldn't count on them sending you home sick even if you are vomiting and have diarrhoea.

Do phone in. My DH is working nights this Christmas in a similar role and would feel the same stress and guilt. But actually most people (in these kind of jobs) would try and get in if they were able. You are just not able and shouldn't be at work.

I'm sure colleagues will be understanding and if they are not, frankly that's not right - but makes no difference to the fact you are not well enough to work.

I’ve something similar OP & feel like death warmed up. Had to cancel Christmas lunch with parents, am fretting about letting them down & wasted food.

Also may or may not have cried in car when having to go out & collect necessary supplies for my cats

If I had been already ill with something else it’d be even worse though.

<hands OP big mug of lemsip> phone in & go back to bed

Why is your OH adamant you go in?

This is why as an ex nurse I am against the 12 hour shifts. If it was an old 7.5 hour early or late then maybe you could make it through but 12 hour. NO. Ring in sick now.

Probably because he's seen how poorly his DP.

He's adamant she DOESN'T go in, isn't he? Presumably because she's clearly very unwell.

I would phone now and at least give them a heads up and tell them that you’ll phone again later on to see how you are feeling.

Call in sick. I used to work nights in a&e and they were hell - you will feel much worse for it. Call now and they can find agency to cover.

And if you make a mistake because you are unwell? The NMC will not allow that as an excuse.

Oh god really? That's awful