How to Correctly Call in Sick As A Travel Nurse

One of the events most rarely plan for is what to do if they get sick. Travelers especially do not have time for such nonsense. There are too many places to go and people to meet. Heaven for bid a traveler would get bogged down with such details as sickness. Who even needs insurance? Well agencies offer it.....ok, I guess it is a good idea.. I am of course on one of my sarcastic rampages. But seriously, what if you do get sick?

For example: You were up late Saturday night. The next day you do not feel so well. By the time Sunday evening rolls around, you are flat on your back in bed with a temperature of 103. In your contemplative fog, you try to figure out who to call. You do not really work for the hospital, you work for the agency. Is the agency even open this time of the day on a Sunday? Then you remember reading this article and you begin to come around.

First, you call your agency. They are the ones you ultimately answer to. They send the paycheck. They also need to know what is going on in case the hospital calls them looking for you. Many companies have someone on call that takes messages at all hours of the night. Do your best. Try to leave a message for the appropriate person.

Next, if you can drum up the energy, call the department you work in and tell them as well. Let them know that you have already notified your agency, but you also wanted the department to know as well. If your department is closed, such as the surgery department, call the nursing supervisor and she should be able to relay the message. The reason you call the hospital is to try and avoid any miscommunications. The worst thing that can happen is for you to look like you did not show up to work without calling. This makes you look irresponsible regardless of the situation. Then, you and your company will look bad. Calling the hospital is often optional, but it is a good tip. Too many times, the agency may call the staffing office, who is then supposed to call the department. Somewhere down the line, the communication gets lost and you are the one who pays for it so to speak.

Finally, try to give as much notice as possible. This is courtesy to allow the hospital to change their schedule or request additional staffing if possible. But most of all, do not get sick, it is really inconvenient.