My conundrum

Nurses Disabilities

Published

I have not been on this bb for a long time because it sometimes hurts too much to see all I have had to give up. Am glad to find that they introduced this forum (I remember asking Brian several years ago-- but the site has grown so much since then) I have been a nurse as long as I can remember. I have been on SS disability for almost 5 years now. I have so many different dxs that I need a wheelbarrow to carry all my medical records.

I hate not being able to work. I feel that part of my personality has been amputated at times. There are so many times--when I feel ok--that I look through the ads or the internet dreaming of working again. I am caught between a rock and a hard place. I had obtained my BSN (after being LPN and then ADN for many years). I was very proud to reach this milestone--as I had been in nursing education and this would open other doors for me. I went into education when I could no longer work on unit anymore. Anyway I digress--I now am looking at a 20,000$ student loan for a degree I can't use. If i try to find something part time that utilizes my knowledge and experience--I have to pay this loan (have already gone through bankruptcy but they don't discharge student loans). I can't possibly make as much as I get on disability and then add an extra 500 payment to my bills and I would be living in street with my family.

In order to get a medical discharge for student loan my Dr. has to say that I can never work in any capacity. I don't feel morally right about this. I have so much knowledge and experince that screams to leave my mind and share. There has to be something I can do in this wide nursing world. BUt then I come back to having to pay my loan.

I have been rambling on long enough. For anyone still with me at this point--I thank you. All I do know is that I am still a Nurse. It is as much a part of me as being a mother, wife, daughter, and friend.:nurse:

Specializes in surgical, neuro, education.

Well again I ended up in hosp as pt. Everytime I think that I might be doing ok--something comes along and messes with my lungs. This time it was flu (despite flu shots). I was up to 100mg prednisone--so who knows what joints have been damaged this episode. But I should be off in another 2 weeks.

I have been racking my brain trying to come up with some way I can utilize my nursing knowledge and teaching skills. Maybe I will see if I can tutor at the nursing schools. I am helping my SIL get her medical transcription degree and am having fun helping her understand A&P.

I am going to write a book about being on the other side of the bedrail. Watch out--just say you knew me when:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
on the other side of the bedrail

Well, ya got a good title there!

((((( zumalong ))))))))) make sure you keep all the records from the admit - ANY documentation related to your disability can be used later if you should need or want it.

So sorry you are struggling!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, PP, NSY, Med-Surg, Management, Psyc.
Well I got my pardon today - they agreed that I have total and permanent disability re my student loans. I was on a 3 yr conditional discharge where they did not require any pmts, while they continued to collect information (over and over, from every single provider who has ever seen me, over the course of 3 yrs).

So - I have $21,000 worth of debt off my shoulders. I feel actually sad and kind of ashamed - like, I should have been able to honor my debt. But I do know I did the best I could to continue working as a nurse, and now, able to work only 29 hrs at a minimum wage job, there is no way I could pay on a student loan. I am very blessed to be capable of doing what I am doing.

I would love to compare a CT of my head to a previous one I had before I had to stop nursing! I bet there is an actual diminishing of function, sigh... all the meds I have been on, I swear there has been brain cell damage!!

Sigh... sometimes it's hard when you get what you need.

Hi Zoe,

I too am disabled, mine being disabled from failed back surgery syndrome which is causing severe pain to the point that I can hardly move most days. Anyway, I am in the process of obtaining my SSI and I was wondering how you went about getting your pardon from your student loans? I have my student loans in forbearance right now ($41,000 from going to midwifery school that I never got finished :crying2: ) and I had told them that I was trying to get approved for SSI. The person I talked to that handles my student loan said something about the loan going away if I am on SSI but she didn't say how to go about that, so you tell me what you did to get pardoned? Thanks!! Donna

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Hi Zoe,

I too am disabled, mine being disabled from failed back surgery syndrome which is causing severe pain to the point that I can hardly move most days. Anyway, I am in the process of obtaining my SSI and I was wondering how you went about getting your pardon from your student loans? I have my student loans in forbearance right now ($41,000 from going to midwifery school that I never got finished :crying2: ) and I had told them that I was trying to get approved for SSI. The person I talked to that handles my student loan said something about the loan going away if I am on SSI but she didn't say how to go about that, so you tell me what you did to get pardoned? Thanks!! Donna

Hi Donna

"Pardon" is my own term for it but their term is "Permanent and Total Disability". It is hard to get. Basically you tell them you want to apply for it and they will send you the forms. The forms are similar to those you fill out for SSI or SSDI but they stretch it out by granting "Temporary Disability" yearly x 3 yrs (at least, that's how it was for me) before they will consider it permanent.

The forms are filled out by you and by each and every provider you can think of - for me, my shrink, my counselor, and my medical doctor.

If you run into snags feel free to send me a private message anytime. it is a long and I think purposely difficult process but if you are indeed disabled then there's no reason you should not get it.

Good luck! and - OW by the way. I think if I had physical pain to that degree it would be more difficult for me to handle than anything I've had so far. Hang in there and let me know how it goes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.
Well again I ended up in hosp as pt. Everytime I think that I might be doing ok--something comes along and messes with my lungs. This time it was flu (despite flu shots). I was up to 100mg prednisone--so who knows what joints have been damaged this episode. But I should be off in another 2 weeks.

I have been racking my brain trying to come up with some way I can utilize my nursing knowledge and teaching skills. Maybe I will see if I can tutor at the nursing schools. I am helping my SIL get her medical transcription degree and am having fun helping her understand A&P.

I am going to write a book about being on the other side of the bedrail. Watch out--just say you knew me when:D

Wow, I just got out of the hospital again. My last student parent plus loan is in the process of dismissal. I told the doc it really s____s bieng on this side of the picture. So I hear ya. I've been in extensive PT for 6 years and now in a mobility program to strengthen and harden off. I can't and won't except I'll never nurse again.

Because of my SSDI the state I live in through Work Force,is willing to pay for me to return to school, but I worry if I can complete the clinicals with the fast pace. I have a respiratory disablement as well. My own standards of nursing and performance are very high, yeah I can be anal, and the fear I start thinking about not being able to finish sometimes just freezes me.

I wish you well with your book. Great Titile! And maybe that is what your contribution to the profession is at this point in time. Accept the Good! Heard a great saying tonight,

Happiness is as high

as lonliness is long

Dylan Thomas

Poet.

Sharona:redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello again. I do have some good news to share with anyone who is interested. I just found out today that you MAY make 650.00 as per SSI but you CAN make as much as you want as long as you tell them and realize that you will not receive a check due to the income. The greatest news is that I will still continue to have Medicare. The cost is 92.00 per month but that's surely worth it. I don't know if I can work a full time position but I can sure as heck try. Thank Goodness for STEROIDS> Jet fuel for me.

Irish

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Hello again. I do have some good news to share with anyone who is interested. I just found out today that you MAY make 650.00 as per SSI but you CAN make as much as you want as long as you tell them and realize that you will not receive a check due to the income. The greatest news is that I will still continue to have Medicare. The cost is 92.00 per month but that's surely worth it. I don't know if I can work a full time position but I can sure as heck try. Thank Goodness for STEROIDS> Jet fuel for me.

Irish

Don't they start counting the months or weeks though - and if you are able to work for x amt of time you are not considered disabled?

Which would be fine if indeed I WAS no longer disabled -

Hmmm (thinking...)

Right now I am under a whole lot of stress because my dad is very ill and not expected to recover. Don't know for how long but I do know it is a stretch for me to work as much as I am now. But I sure would like to test the waters more once things calm down a little.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment