Can I work with a hurt ankle?

Nurses General Nursing

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So, my friend is a nurse and she just got a new job. She is in her second week of training, so she is not technically hired yet. She hurt her ankle badly yesterday and visited an orthopedic today to get her ankle x-rayed. The orthopedic told her she couldn't work until further notice. She's really worried she will lose this job. She really can't afford to lose this job she waited so long to get. She can't afford have no income. Does anyone think they will fire her since she won't be able to work? Would she legally be allowed to work with a sprained ankle? I apologize for being ignorant in this matter,". I'm not even a nurse. Someone please give me some ideas or answers. We are both very worried. Any input at all will be greatly appreciated. Any input will be so appreciated that I could not possibly express in worthy words. Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

We have no way of knowing how your friend's new employer will answer that question. I can tell you, though, that your friend should pay attention to the orthopedist's advice. Risking further trauma and/or injury will not help anyone. Her best bet is to bite the bullet, do as advised in order to heal properly, then see where she stands with her employer.

Most employers do not offer "light" duty unless it is gorgeous a work-related injury.

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Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

I also was curios as to if the injury is work-related? If so, the employer has to provide you with light duty (as ordered by her treating doctor) for the same number of hours. At least, this my understanding about 7 years ago, when a good friend of mine injured herself at work.

If it isn't a work-related injury, I don't know how your sick time/benefits accrue, and with her being there only two weeks, the employer may fill her position again. Does she have a follow up appointment with this orthopedic doctor? If so, he may still want her on light/modified duty. there are just a lot of variables unique to her injury & new employment venture.

As far as it being legal for her to work, against the doctors recommendation, I am pretty sure you cannot be forced into light duty, unless it is work-related. However, if she does go back to regular work soon, colleagues, supervisors, even patients/families may notice a limp and inquire about it. The she would probably want to produce the doctors note stating lite duty for one month. the employer might feel she is not trustworthy, to keep an injury form employer. I imagine some supervisors would be unhappy about not being notified of her injury ASAP. In this case, I could see her supervisors being upset that she did notify them herself, but rather waited until they were curious about what is going on with her ankle and coming across a tad deceitful.

Forgive me, ortho is not my area of expertise, but isn't a sprain usually pretty much resolved in a few days with minimal treatment? (ice, elevation etc)?

Sorry again, not too big on ortho.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I'm assuming that the injury is closer to a sprain than a broken bone since there was no mention of a cast or surgery. Sprains are not to be taken lightly. It can be more difficult and time consuming to achieve complete healing than with an actual fracture.

Notice that the orthopedist did not request light duty. He/she stated NO work until "further notice." The employer may be willing to keep the position open (unpaid) if they're not in desperate need for that position to be filled & functioning.

Two things are clear: the nurse needs to give herself time to heal or risk future issues with the ankle; and no one can predict what the employer will decide.

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She injured her ankle outside of work, so she is not eligible for workman's comp.

Yes, she does have a follow up appointment.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Your friend needs to contact her PCP and employee health to discuss that with them. We have no idea.

Annie

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Your friend will need to talk to her physician and her employer. The short answer is no, she won't be able to work if her physician doesn't release her to do so.

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As worried as your friend is about her new job, she should be even more concerned about proper healing. She can go ahead and work and risk her career, or she can follow the advice of an expert in the field, and stay off of her ankle. "You can't pour from an empty cup". First rule of nursing is to take care of yourself. You're not s very good provider if you're incredibly sick, or in pain. It just doesn't work. No job is worth her antagonizing her injury and making it worse. She should contact her boss and inquire about the proper procedure for non work related injuries.

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I would work with a sprained ankle, if I wanted the job. Orientation does not stress an injury.

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Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

Just wondering if these is any kind of update to your friends' situation, OP? Is her ankle beginning to heal? Or, is her new employer being at least understanding towards her injury?

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Good news regarding my friend and her ankle. Her ankle was only sprained and her orthopedic allowed her to work. We are both so relieved. Thank you all so very much for all your help.

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