anyone have a not-at-work injury, what was your experience with time off?

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I injured myself accidentally, and am not supposed to weight-bear while it heals. Because (as you all know) nursing is an on-your-feet job, I had to take time off. I am not feeling very supported by my employer, like I should feel guilty for this somehow...has anyone been through this, and what was your experience with occupational health, HR, manager?

I have not had a proper vacation in 3 years, and have mostly only taken a day off here and there when I need a mental health day from the craziness of the job, aqnd a day for the rare cold/flu. thats it.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

My work tried to make me feel guilty too! I was very close to quitting but no place else is hiring. I'm still upset about it. I didn't even get a get well card even though I had surgery at thier hospital.

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I asked occupational health about the whole procedure for this, they just want me to provide them with MD notes. They referred me to HR with all other questions. I called HR, they said "as long as you are within the policy...this would count as one incident" We are allowed 2 'incidents' per 3 months. No 'take care of yourself', ect...

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

You get love from your family, not your employer. Some are better than others but I wouldn't expect much. They will receive the loyalty and dedication from you that they give to you, and that seems in short supply these days. Just do what you need to do to keep your job and take care of yourself. If they treat you like a disposable 4x4, then you will probably move on as soon as you find a better deal. I worked at a place I didn't like because I needed them, and when I didn't- I quit pronto. It is their failure to treat you that way, but you can't take it personally or worry about it. Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC.

Look into FMLA to protect your job.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

I blew out my right ACL and medial meniscus jogging... yeah well ortho doc says never jog, go figure. Internist told me with my high blood pressure to get active.. well anyway.

Non work related, HAD to get FMLA to prevent me from getting fired. I went back week two with the ice and all on the knee, limping, being a stupid martyr. DUMB, dumb. it never healed right.

The FMLA will protect you, and I promise that that crazy place you work,existed before you, will after you, so just take the time you need.

I didn't want to blow through my vacation time to heal at home, dumb! That was surgery #2 on the knee, will need one more before the total replacement because I'm bone on bone. Would have happened anyway, to me, but my point is that you might as well FMLA it, heal totally, and then go back whole. It's hard enough going back at 75%, and if you don't heal right... welll... you'll be me!

Take care of yourself, I promise you the place won't fall to hell and a handbasket without you!

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I wasn't injured, but my husband was diagnosed with a nasty little cancer that killed him in four months from dx.

I was at home with him and the kids the whole time (TV room was a mini-ICU). My work made sure I filed the FMLA, and helped with it. Coworkers donated sick leave, so much so I still had some in the bank when I started work again. Shoot, my manager herself gave 40 hours. When holidays came, they scheduled me off Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Years, to stay home with my 3 little ones (6, 9 and 12).

The church brought us dinner several times a week the whole time. Told me to stay rent free in the parsonage for 6 months after the death, so as not to have to make hurried decisions. Then sold me the parsonage so we wouldn't have to leave the the things Dad had built for his kids.

There are good kind caring people and places out there. I was blessed to be where I was, and still am, 12 years later.:redpinkhe

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Specializes in School Nursing.

My work was great when I hurt my knee. I told them what happened and my MD wanted me non-weight bearing until cleared by MRI (which due to scheduling took about a week). They said no problemo and helped me line up a sub for the week. Once I was cleared with no broken bones or tendon injuries (just a heck of a hematoma and soft tissue injuries), they wanted documentation that I was cleared and specific restrictions that I had, which was just to elevate and ice for 10 minutes every hour.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

i had six months off for a back injury that, in retrospect, probably happened at work. i wasn't smart enough to realize i was injured until i couldn't move the next day. i had fmla and never missed a paycheck due to my long term disability insurance. my job welcomed me back with open arms, even though i had to come back on a modified schedule. if this had happened at my previous job, i would have lost my house.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
I asked occupational health about the whole procedure for this, they just want me to provide them with MD notes. They referred me to HR with all other questions. I called HR, they said "as long as you are within the policy...this would count as one incident" We are allowed 2 'incidents' per 3 months. No 'take care of yourself', ect...

Remember that one incident thing. Do not let guilt make you go back to work before you know you are healed sufficiently and your doctor has given you clearance. If you go back too early and have to take additional time off because you weren't ready, you will have two incidents.

If you've been there for longer than a year, look into the FMLA paperwork, which may allow intermittent time off. Cover your bases.

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