Another drag on our social system...

[fab4fan]

I have worked at one job or another since I was 14y. Paid into the system like a good girl.

Then, I had the misfortune of being injured at home; lost my job because FMLA ran out. I am still in rehab, and working as a nurse right now is impossible.

So, get unemployment. Wrong...because I was injured, I do not qualify (you have to be available to go to work when you are on unemp.). At this point, there's no way I could work one eight hour day, let alone 5 of them.

Social Security Disability? Nope...has to be an injury that will leave you disabled for at least 12 months or longer (or else be terminal). So I don't quite fit in there, either, because I anticipate that within another 3 months I should be able to walk pretty well, although it's doubtful I will ever be able to handle the rigors of a 12h shift on my feet. Actually, the doc thinks it's doubtful I'll ever be able to do any floor nursing again.

So, I'm in no man's land. I have exhausted my savings, since that's what I've been living off for the last 4 months. I will not be able to afford COBRA, so will have to apply for Medicaid. Income? If I can't find some sort of job that will accomodate my limitations, I may need to try to get financial assist. (won't need food stamps, at least; my parents will feed me). Oh, and the new car I got in Aug.? Guess I can kiss that goodbye, because no way will I be able to get assistance and keep the car (I have ins. rider on the loan that takes care of the payments as long as my injury prevents me from working, but once that's done...)

This system sucks. It is humiliating, and terrifying. What can you do? It's not like there are tons of jobs out there to accomodate disabled nurses, and I don't have any other skills.

Sorry to whine; this is just getting to be more than I can live with.

[fab4fan]

RN2B2005: That was so kind of you; don't make me cry!

I don't even know what a PayPal account is, but I would never expect people to give me money. Hell, I can hardly borrow money from my parents. I really didn't post this to ask for $$ help, just out of the frustration that it seems there are so many people out there who can work but don't, and get everything handed to them carte blanche. I've worked all this time and don't seem to qualify for anything. When I think of all the people I saw in the ED with cell phones, tons of gold jewelry, nice cars, and Medicaid, I could scream.

I live in an area where telephonic jobs are as rare as hen's teeth, and the other thing is, just getting around gets me so tired that I nap frequently during the day, and often don't get up til 10:00am.

I probably shouldn't have posted this because it could come off as a pitch for money, and let me state emphatically that that isn't the situation. I posted it more as an example of what can happen to working-class people who get hit with a devastating illness or injury, and how there is no net for them. It seems like this is never going to get better, and every day I feel like I am sinking further.

I do appreciate the suggestions; on Monday I am going to try to call the area legal services; they have good lawyers that do pro bono cases, so who knows.

[RN2B2005]

Of course you didn't ask for money. That's why I offered. We've all been where you are now, albeit for different reasons.

It just seems ridiculous to me that you should be forced to give up your car, which you need now more than ever, in order to be considered for benefits. The fact that you want to go back to work yet can't get any sort of aid is positively ridiculous. You aren't a drain on the social system; the people who are abusing the system and are getting benefits are the ones who are draining it.

Anyway, the offer stands.

Jennifer

[Sleepyeyes]

PS

My stepdad was unable to walk and was dx'd with MS. SS disability turned him down. Well, turns out that he was eventually approved, and got retro benefits from the day that he initially applied.

[yannadey, LPN]

Fab4 my prayers are with you.

Here's some job options you might look into Agencys need nurses to work in the office, there is also telephone advice nurse, MDS coordinators in nursing homes.

My mom who was a nurse for 20 yrs is fighting for her disability that cut off recently she has kidney failure for about a year now she goes to dialysis 3xwkly & those crazy people cut her off with no warning saying she has to proof she is unable to work. Duh???

[Brownms46]

I have seen ads myself online for a nurse for lawyers offices, or to review files. I have a friend who couldn't stand working for Mircosoft, plus he didn't want to commute across the Sound everytime the wanted to have a meeting. He was telecommunting for Microsoft at the time.

So he decided to go into business for himself doing indexing, and abstracts in his home. He sent out over a 600 letters to different publishers and now he has been working from his own at his leisure for the last two years!

Maybe you could do chart reviews from home...or there are jobs where you do recruiting from home also. I truly believe where there is a will, there is a way. Good luck to you in getting your life back, and finding a better way for you:cool:

[capgirl]

have you thought about nurses house? This organization is there to help nurses in need as a result of injury, illness or disability.

http://www.nurseshouse.org/aboutus.asp

[hapeewendy]

sorry I missed this thread my dear friend , If there is anything at all I can do to help you, all you need to do is pm me okay? and I mean it , telehealth ontario is a phone based call centre for rns to give out information to patients calling in for health advice etc, they are usually hiring .... just a thought, I would love to have you closer to me (hee!)

I think its digusting what you're going through and you a.dont deserve it and b.shouldnt stand for it. (no bad pun intended my friend!)

I'm peeved just reading this , patients need people like you, you are a fantastic nurse, but more importantly , a great person

so I agree , take some time , think about what you might want to do and look into alternatives, you never know , life has a freaky way of working out sometimes

rooting for you as always

wendy

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Best wishes to you.

[litebrite]

Well, fab4fan, I couldn't believe when I read your post (on other board), I was shocked. I felt horrible that you had you no where to turn. It didn't make sense, why wouldn't they let you work what you could until you were healed. With being short on nurses it seemed crazy to terminate you. Then since you know I was going through the a similar type of injury, fear set in. Well, it happened today. I have been terminated. I am not even out of my fiberglass cast. Also, I found out by the benefit department sending me papers for Cobra. No one called or wrote a letter. I was in utter shock. I am at a loss as to what to do, but I guess I should be glad I will have insurance. I am woried about paying the bills (it's 12 times the amount I pay now, plus I am out of work and have other bills) but I am still numb. I think the rage will come a little later. I am starting to lose faith in this profession and system. Well, I am still young maybe I should pick another field. I hope things are getting a little better for you and your ankle is healing!

[Grace Oz]

Just wanted to send my thoughts & best wishes to you from here "Down Under". Perhaps knowing people are thinking of you & praying for you might help at least a little. Do you belong to a nurses union? Can they help in any way? Sounds like your social security system is as cockeyed as ours here in Oz. It's typical, those of us who have worked & paid our dues never seem to qualify for assistance when we need it! Could you contact your local state politican? These people are voted in by the citizens, they are supposed to be there to help & often do. Just a thought.

I also support what some of the others have suggested, look into alternative ways you might be able to earn a living. Have faith, believe in yourself & good luck! I have you in my prayers.

Cheers,

Grace

[Rapheal]

Hey Fab4fan,

You are a strong determined person. You will work through this. There have been some exellent suggestions on this board for you to look into. I am convinced from reading your posts that you are blessed with an intelligent, creative mind. My hopes and prayers are with you. Please keep us updated on your progress. Also if there is a particulare area of interest for you in employment-let us know. I (and I am sure others) will help research what is available in your area if you provide that info.

[fab4fan]

Originally posted by litebrite

Well, fab4fan, I couldn't believe when I read your post (on other board), I was shocked. I felt horrible that you had you no where to turn. It didn't make sense, why wouldn't they let you work what you could until you were healed. With being short on nurses it seemed crazy to terminate you. Then since you know I was going through the a similar type of injury, fear set in. Well, it happened today. I have been terminated. I am not even out of my fiberglass cast. Also, I found out by the benefit department sending me papers for Cobra. No one called or wrote a letter. I was in utter shock. I am at a loss as to what to do, but I guess I should be glad I will have insurance. I am woried about paying the bills (it's 12 times the amount I pay now, plus I am out of work and have other bills) but I am still numb. I think the rage will come a little later. I am starting to lose faith in this profession and system. Well, I am still young maybe I should pick another field. I hope things are getting a little better for you and your ankle is healing!

litebrite: You know what, I was thinking about you the other day; I haven't seen you much on the "other" board.

I am so sorry that you are now going through the same thing. This profession can be so cruel...no one had the decency to talk to you or me (well, at least I got a voice mail telling me I was canned...I can't imagine what I would have done if I'd gotten COBRA paperwork out of the blue; that is REALLY unprofessional).

Apply for unemployment compensation NOW...don't wait. You will probably get it because you are able to do some type of work, but were term. because you can't do your present job and were not offered other work that would accommodate your limitations.

Listen, there are some things I want to say, but do not want to get too specific on a public venue like this. If you want to, you can e-mail me [email protected], and I can go into some more detail.

I am so sorry to hear this; I was really hoping that somewhere out there was an administration that had a heart. Apparently, becoming a manager requires total removal of all myocardial tissue.

Take care...e-mail me!

fab