No light duty for RN's in my hospital - is this typical?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am looking at having both knee and back surgery soon, both which would require several weeks before I could do any heavy lifting or transfers, etc. I have been told I won't be able to return to work until I am completely cleared to do lifting and transfers. The rationale given to their not allowing light duty (which would let me return to work sooner) is that if a patient fell to the floor, I could possibly injure myself in assisting the patient. I was wondering if this is typical of other hospitals. The nursing home I worked in allowed their direct care staff to work in light-duty capacities. I'm a RN on a med/surg floor. Thanks.

Specializes in Oncology.

There's no such thing as a "light duty" nurse anywhere that I know of.

Specializes in geriatrics.

Usually, most employers would request that you take sick time or a leave of absence. Modified duties only apply to people who have injured themselves while at work. In that case, the employer has to accomodate them, if they provide sufficient documentation.

Usually, most employers would request that you take sick time or a leave of absence. Modified duties only apply to people who have injured themselves while at work. In that case, the employer has to accomodate them, if they provide sufficient documentation.

And it's a drain on the unit that has to accomodate them. I work a small, specialty unit that WCB seem to think should take every accomodation. Ever worked a shift with only two nurses and you're the only one that can lift/transfer? It sucks.

Usually it's a CNAs job but sometimes light duty RNs sit with suicide patients one to one (no RTF). My hospital seems to have some variability on what light duty means.

Specializes in geriatrics.

Yes we had someone on modified recently. So we have to replace their shift anyway, and the person on modified does some light paperwork. Really just a waste of everyone's time.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I am looking at having both knee and back surgery soon, both which would require several weeks before I could do any heavy lifting or transfers, etc. I have been told I won't be able to return to work until I am completely cleared to do lifting and transfers. The rationale given to their not allowing light duty (which would let me return to work sooner) is that if a patient fell to the floor, I could possibly injure myself in assisting the patient. I was wondering if this is typical of other hospitals. The nursing home I worked in allowed their direct care staff to work in light-duty capacities. I'm a RN on a med/surg floor. Thanks.

As I understand it, hospitals are not required to provide light duty assignments unless you were injured at work. I had to take FMLA and use my disability insurance when I had my back surgery, my cancer surgery and will have to do so again when I have my knee surgery. I hope you've got disability insurance!

As I understand it, hospitals are not required to provide light duty assignments unless you were injured at work. I had to take FMLA and use my disability insurance when I had my back surgery, my cancer surgery and will have to do so again when I have my knee surgery. I hope you've got disability insurance!

Yeah, I will be using FMLA and between the two surgeries I will be out 8-10 weeks. I plan on doing them back-to-back. The other thing that stinks is my employer considers them elective so I must wait until my one-year mark (Jan 29) before I become eligible for FMLA in my state. I wonder if other states have quicker eligibility times. I can use STD so it won't be that bad. Still frustrating that if I had an administrative job. for example, I could return to work a lot faster and use less FMLA time. I think I am tired of acute care and 12 hour shifts in general. I've only been a RN for 8 months but feel burned out doing patient care.

Specializes in Correctional Nursing, Orthopediacs.

We have light duty at my hospital lots of auditing charts. Right now on short-term disability due to a meniscus tear Dr. Will not release me to do it oh well.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
Yeah, I will be using FMLA and between the two surgeries I will be out 8-10 weeks. I plan on doing them back-to-back. The other thing that stinks is my employer considers them elective so I must wait until my one-year mark (Jan 29) before I become eligible for FMLA in my state. I wonder if other states have quicker eligibility times. I can use STD so it won't be that bad. Still frustrating that if I had an administrative job. for example, I could return to work a lot faster and use less FMLA time. I think I am tired of acute care and 12 hour shifts in general. I've only been a RN for 8 months but feel burned out doing patient care.

Don't just look at FMLA to see what your leave options are. Some employers have a leave policy that is more favorable, such as six months.

I qualified for both types of leave (employer and FMLA). Where I work, I invoked both leave policies: FMLA to protect my job and the employer's leave policy to ensure a paycheck from my time off and sick time banks. You just have to make sure you understand your responsibilities with regard to notification and such and make sure you communicate that to your doctors so that they return the certifications on time. Also, know what your rights are with any type of leave policy or law.

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