I called out of work today purely to hang out with our dog, Luna.
Ok I didn’t REALLY call out JUST for that, but the point is I called out of a scheduled shift to be at home instead. I just needed to take the day. If calling out of work brings you as much anxiety as it brings me and you just need someone to give you the okay, hello. It’s me.
Wedding planning is already stressful, but add in a pandemic, a crazier than ever hospital nursing gig, and a little bit of family drama and I was SPENT by the end of the weekend. So many things recently have left me emotionally, mentally, and physically drained. I didn’t sleep well last night and had the attention span of a fruit fly. So I said no to work and yes to Luna.
Because I knew I wouldn’t be the best nurse I could be if I showed up.
As a new grad, I was constantly pushed to continue to come to work no matter how unsafe it was to be there. I distinctly remember more senior nurses telling me to just “take more medicine” or “have more coffee” if I wasn’t feeling well physically. I’ve cried at work on more than one occasion when told to take on more responsibility or more difficult assignments, despite expressing concerns about how stressed I was or how not prepared I felt. The comments? “She’ll be fine”. And to be honest? Some days it was totally fine, but some days it wasn’t.
I realize feeling uncomfortable is a part of entering the world of nursing. It’s how we learn and how we grow as nurses. But my point is, the healthcare system will always push you to give. Whether or not you feel truly able to is up to you, so do not let anyone push you beyond your limits. And if you feel like your limits are not respected at work, it might be time to make a change.
At that time, I would’ve felt incredibly guilty for calling out (even if I was laying in bed with a fever), because you don’t call out unless you’re sick or dying. That’s the mentality that so many of us are taught as nurses. Us, the “healthcare heroes” are supposed to put everyone before ourselves.
Nuh uh. Not today sister.
The sad reality of healthcare and many other professions is that we are numbers. If you’re not there, someone else will be. It’s the game of life, but it’s also a huge blessing in disguise.
If you need a day, take it. There is absolutely no guilt necessary. The system as a whole will be fine. But will you?
I stayed home today.
I moved my body.
I went outside.
I wrote and worked on recipes.
I snuggled my dog.
I said no to work and no to overtime.
We are not superheroes.
We are human beings.
Calling out of work (occasionally) is okay.
👏🏽 you ARE allowed to just take the day 👏🏽
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