I'm sitting in the couch right now debating whether I am going to call in sick to work. I'm nauseated and achy, but luckily no fever. There's a stomach bug going around the schools and my DD2 brought it home to share. Thanks hon.

I detest calling in sick for a couple of reasons. The first is that nurses have awful sick leave. We are expected to always be at the bedside unless we are a hospital patient ourselves.

The second is the little thought in the back of my mind...yes, you are sick, but not really THAT sick. What happens if you get really, really sick next week (month, quarter, summer...whatever)? Then you will have wasted your sick day just because you had an upset tummy...

Nurse's guilt is a powerful thing. On the one hand, I know that I have to take care of myself before I can take care of anyone else. Not to mention that if I am sick, I pose a potential threat to my patients. But on the other hand, I know that calling in will have an Impact on my coworkers. Going to work and then having to leave is even worse.

So, here I am. Sitting on the couch. Wondering do I or don't I. Ugh

I hate being sick.