Examples of No Call, No Show Excuses in Nursing
What are some no call, no show excuses that pass muster in nursing? It’s normal to call out of a shift every now and then — life happens. But if you didn’t call in and missed work, your manager and even coworkers will likely have questions. Let’s go over some good reasons why you might miss work and ones that probably won’t fly.
What Is a No Call, No Show?
A no call, no show is when an employee is scheduled to work and, without alerting their manager in advance, simply doesn’t show up. This is different from calling out of work and is generally considered less professional. That’s because not showing up means that your nurse manager and charge nurse will have to scramble to cover the patients who were assigned to you. They might need to pull a nurse from another unit unexpectedly, or even have someone stay late from the last shift.
Depending on your facility, there may be specific policies around no call, no shows. Some employers can reserve the right to terminate a team member after just one incident. Others may have a three-strike policy or something else in place. A good excuse for a no call, no show isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card — the incident may still go on your employment record as a no call, no show write-up.
Example instances of when it’s okay not to call in to work are rare. Most of the time, you should reasonably be able to text or call your manager to say that you’ll be missing a shift. But what if you already missed work, and you need something to tell your leadership? First let’s cover excuses for no call, no show situations that probably won’t go over well.
5 No Call, No Show Excuses That Won’t Work
If you’ve already missed work, you might be on thin ice with your manager. If this is the first time you had to bail on your shift, they might give you some grace. It’s generally best to be honest about what happened and come up with a plan for preventing it in the future. One of the below excuses might be the honest answer, and if it is, make sure your manager knows you will do better next time.
1. “I forgot I had to work.”
Mix-ups happen, and sometimes life is chaotic. But to a manager, this may signal a lack of attention or organization. If this genuinely happened, take steps to prevent it again, and tell your manager about your plan. Set calendar reminders, use a scheduling app, or double-check your posted shifts.
2. “I had an appointment.”
Unless the appointment was an emergency, this one doesn’t hold much weight. Most workplaces expect you to request time off ahead of time for things like checkups or family obligations. If you forgot to request coverage, own up to it and make it clear you’ll handle future appointments differently.
3. “I overslept.”
Sleeping through alarms once in a while is normal, but blaming your absence on oversleeping can make it seem like you’re not taking your job seriously. If this was the issue, apologize and explain what changes you’ve made, like setting multiple alarms or adjusting your sleep schedule.
4. “I didn’t feel like coming in.”
Working as a nursing professional can be draining and exhausting. But even if you’re burned out or stressed, this response comes across as unprofessional and disrespectful to your team, who are likely working in the same conditions you are. Instead of disappearing, communicate with your supervisor about how you’re feeling.
5. “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
Missing a shift without notice affects more than just your supervisor. It puts additional pressure on your coworkers and can impact patient care. Saying you didn’t think it mattered shows a lack of awareness about the impacts of your decisions.
5 No Call, No Show Excuses That May Work
There are times when missing work without notice is unavoidable. If you were unable to contact your manager before your shift, the key is to follow up as soon as possible, explain the situation honestly, and demonstrate that you take it seriously. Here are a few appropriate no call, no show excuses for work.
1. “I had a medical emergency.”
Health issues can come on suddenly, and in the moment, seeking care takes priority over notifying work. If this is the case, let your employer know as soon as you’re able. Don’t feel like you have to disclose personal medical information to your employer, but you may have to give a brief rundown about what happened.
2. “A family member had an emergency.”
Whether involving a child, parent, or spouse, family crises can require immediate attention and leave little time for logistics. Be transparent about what happened and reassure your manager that you’ll make sure proper backup plans or emergency contacts are in place going forward.
3. “My phone was dead, and I didn’t have access to another way to call.”
While this might seem flimsy on the surface, it can be understandable if you were traveling, stranded, or caught off guard. The best way to make it right is to acknowledge the lapse, apologize sincerely, and explain how you’ll ensure reliable communication in the future.
4. “There was a natural disaster.”
Hurricanes, fires, floods, or earthquakes can make it impossible or unsafe to get to work. If a natural disaster has impacted your area, your employer will know about it and expect staffing issues. When you’re able, notify your supervisor, share what happened, and give an estimated return date. Some employers may also offer resources to team members impacted by natural disasters.
5. “I was in an unsafe situation.”
Your safety always comes first, whether it’s a domestic issue, sudden weather changes, or something unexpected on your commute. Most employers will respect your need to protect yourself. Following up promptly is essential. Be clear without sharing more than you’re comfortable with, and outline any resources you’re accessing or plans for returning to work.
Good Excuses to Miss Work on Short Notice
What if it’s before your shift and you need to call off? As a nursing professional, sometimes you need to prioritize your own health and well-being, and that can mean missing work.
It’s better to give your employer advanced notice and avoid having to come up with no call, no show excuses. Last-minute reasons why someone might miss work might include:
- Injury or illness
- Family emergency or death
- Mental health
- Childcare or dependent care problems
- Contagious illness
Plan Ahead to Prevent No Call, No Shows
Unexplained absences can result from honest mistakes or just feeling overwhelmed. If you want to avoid the guilt of a no call, no show at work in the future, what can you do to prevent them?
Start by keeping an organized calendar that includes your work schedule, personal commitments, travel, and medical appointments. Many shift-scheduling software programs allow you to transfer your next schedule directly to a calendar app for accuracy. If a conflict arises, try to address it as soon as you can by requesting shift switches or talking to your manager.
Taking care of yourself is important, too. Exhaustion, burnout, and illness can cause nurses to miss shifts. If you’re feeling burnt out, speak up early. Your manager may be able to adjust your workload or help you plan time off. Work to address pre-shift anxiety so that you’re not tempted to call out at the last minute. By staying ahead of your needs and responsibilities, you’ll be better equipped to show up fully for your patients and your team.
No Call, No Show Excuses FAQ
Does a no call, no show count as patient abandonment?
It depends on your nursing board and your work area. Generally, patient abandonment happens when a nurse accepts responsibility for a patient and then leaves them. This is a serious offense and can result in a loss of license.
But if you didn’t show up for work, you never accepted responsibility for your patient load. Some boards of nursing may recognize abandonment differently, so check with your state nursing board for more information.
What should I do if I accidentally miss a shift?
Call your manager or supervisor as soon as possible. If you make an honest mistake once and work to rectify it quickly, this might minimize the negative impact of a no call, no show absence.
Can I be penalized for a no call, no show at work if there was an emergency?
Unfortunately, yes, it’s possible. If you have a history of not showing up for work, employers may not be understanding, even if you have a real emergency. See your facility’s policies and talk to your nursing manager for more information.
Find a Job That Doesn’t Make You Want to Call Out
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