should I call in or not?

I'm a new nurse and am orienting on an oncology unit. The patients on the unit are extremely ill and many are on neutropenic precautions.

I caught a bug and have a fever, and it's obvious if you hear me talk that I'm sick. I feel like total crap. I missed work today and have been in bed all day. I still feel like total crap but I don't want to miss work again. But I also don't want to put my patients at risk, and I feel like even if I wear a mask it isn't right to go on this type of unit with a barking cough and fever.

I also don't want my employers to think that I'm a slacker. This is my second week on the job, and I'm afraid I've already made a bad impression by calling out sick.

What would you do in this situation?
You have a fever. You could kill a neutropenic patient. What do you think?

Quote from JustBeachyNurseYou have a fever. You could kill a neutropenic patient. What do you think?

Yes stay home and get better, both for your patients but also for your coworkers. I can't tell you the times people came to work sick because they just felt so bad to leave us without the help and wind up giving it to everyone! Trust me your employer will understand and appreciate it in the long run. Get better soon!