Advice. Support. Anything!!!

[ProudofmyNursingart]

I work for a Nursing Agency that I trully love.

I was placed in various places, such as Rehab, Aged/Dementia Care and lot's of Acute.

On the 7th of January I was tripped at work in a hospital by an employee.

The result was a herniated disk at L5/S1 level, that was initally missed and so the wrong treatment was applied, which was pain medication until the 'muscle strain' calmed.

I was placed on Workcover. And dutifully went to Physio 3 times a week. Saw my Doctor who was still applying the wrong treatment. I fully complied with everything to aide myself in not only easing my pain but to get me back into the job that I just adore and missed so much.

Fast forward to now.

My back, although the disk is now been treated correctly after a change of Doctor and getting off those horrible pain meds, my back is just about back to normal now.

I am on light, alternative duties, with the only limitations being no lifting over 5kg's. And no moving more than 10kg's.

Of course there isn't a great call for shifts where the Nurse can't do this so I have been doing admin duties at the Agencies office. Working up with hours, back to my original hours a week. Which was a core rate of 12.5 hours.

On the hours I was doing, I would be back working my hours in maybe a month.

But..........

My worst nightmare occured on Thursday the 4th. I went off to work only to be told not to come in on Monday.

They were requesting, as there are some staff they do want to rid themselves of after turning out not to be so great, that ALL staff re-apply to work for the Agency.

OK.

But........

Because I still have some limitations I can re-apply in 6 months time if I am fully fit.

What!!!!!!

I'm fired!!! :angryfire

Ahhh, apparently this is not legal. You can't be fired while of Workcover.

Now here I am with a just-about-healed-back. On 75% pay from Workcover and no wages to supliment it as required by me to keep Workcover. And no job!

What the heck do I do???

I can see a lawsuit coming from the insurance company against the Agency.

And I am also thinking that I may now have to sue the hospital that the injury occured at as they ultimatly cost me my job. Something I don't want to do.

NO ONE will employ me at the present time.

I'm, sorry to put it this way, screwed!

I really don't know what to do.

I LOVED my job so much that to be told that I am no longer on the books just kicked me while I was down.

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[ANnot4me]

Good luck with your back! It does sound like you are getting kicked while down. Please do what you need to do to take care of yourself financially. You were injured at work for crying out loud.

Best wishes

[talaxandra]

That sucks. Are you an ANF member? This is the kind of thing their legal department is designed for. Good luck

[princenina]

As the voice of sad experience ... get some legal advice sooner rather than later. Either via the union or ask about. I found one who worked pro bono, also my first consultation was free... arranged by a trade union I had links with thru my past career as an OH & S nurse. You should also ask your Dr or case manager for a referral to some sort of professional support system. Good luck with it all.