Losing job due to injury

Kratoswife · Mar 2, 2019

On 2/28/2019 at 2:40 PM, JB2014 said:
Hello everyone, I just wanted to get some advice/vent about my current situation, as I'm feeling a bit down right now. I am a new grad (graduated May 2018) and have been working in my current job for 5 months and I absolutely love it. Unfortunately, a month ago, I was hit by a van while walking my dog (don't worry, my dog is alive and well!) and fractured my talus, orbital wall, and suffered a few other injuries. After receiving a few surgeries on my ankle, the orthopedic surgeon placed me out of work for the next 6 months. It seems that I will be non weight bearing for the next 3 months and then starting PT after that (which essentially means I won't actually be walking properly for quite some time). Of course, she has told me that there is a chance that I may return earlier, but for now it seems like a long road ahead due to the severity of the talus fracture.
Earlier today, I received a call from my manager in which she told me that she could only hold my position for the next 3 months due to staffing needs, but would continue to check in on my recovery. Thus, if I am unable to return by May, I will no longer have my job. She also stated that if I cannot return in May, I could always reapply when I am ready to return and she would do her best to help me get a position, although it is not guaranteed. While I understand the reasoning behind everything, I can't help but feel stressed and extremely bummed out because this is my dream job and the thought of losing it because of a freak accident is heartbreaking. I am also part of a new graduate residency program, so that has been put on hold as well.
Anyways, thank you all for taking the time to read this. For now, I am trying to remain positive and focus on my healing -- who knows, I might make a quicker recovery than anticipated! If any of you have advice on how to cope or have been in a similar situation (losing a position due to injury, etc.), please feel free to share. I'd love to hear your experiences! Also, has anyone had to reapply for a position after an injury and got it again? Or was my manager just trying to be nice by offering to help me and I'll most likely not be returning?

What your job may be doing is illegal. Not sure if you want to pursue this legally. But I don't think they can do this.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2019

On 2/28/2019 at 5:40 PM, JB2014 said:
Hello everyone, I just wanted to get some advice/vent about my current situation, as I'm feeling a bit down right now. I am a new grad (graduated May 2018) and have been working in my current job for 5 months and I absolutely love it. Unfortunately, a month ago, I was hit by a van while walking my dog (don't worry, my dog is alive and well!) and fractured my talus, orbital wall, and suffered a few other injuries. After receiving a few surgeries on my ankle, the orthopedic surgeon placed me out of work for the next 6 months. It seems that I will be non weight bearing for the next 3 months and then starting PT after that (which essentially means I won't actually be walking properly for quite some time). Of course, she has told me that there is a chance that I may return earlier, but for now it seems like a long road ahead due to the severity of the talus fracture.
Earlier today, I received a call from my manager in which she told me that she could only hold my position for the next 3 months due to staffing needs, but would continue to check in on my recovery. Thus, if I am unable to return by May, I will no longer have my job. She also stated that if I cannot return in May, I could always reapply when I am ready to return and she would do her best to help me get a position, although it is not guaranteed. While I understand the reasoning behind everything, I can't help but feel stressed and extremely bummed out because this is my dream job and the thought of losing it because of a freak accident is heartbreaking. I am also part of a new graduate residency program, so that has been put on hold as well.
Anyways, thank you all for taking the time to read this. For now, I am trying to remain positive and focus on my healing -- who knows, I might make a quicker recovery than anticipated! If any of you have advice on how to cope or have been in a similar situation (losing a position due to injury, etc.), please feel free to share. I'd love to hear your experiences! Also, has anyone had to reapply for a position after an injury and got it again? Or was my manager just trying to be nice by offering to help me and I'll most likely not be returning?

Your facility , most likely has the protocol to only hold your position for three months. Sounds like your manager is understanding and may or may not offer you a new position.

I also had an ankle injury... couldn't walk for six months. I went on to many interesting and lucrative positions.

Do you have an attorney that can sue the pants off of the van driver?

TAKOO01, BSN · Mar 2, 2019

On ‎2‎/‎28‎/‎2019 at 5:40 PM, JB2014 said:
Earlier today, I received a call from my manager in which she told me that she could only hold my position for the next 3 months due to staffing needs, but would continue to check in on my recovery. Thus, if I am unable to return by May, I will no longer have my job.

Do you have a union? If so, this would be an excellent time to confer with the rep.

Also, don't wait for your manager to call you for updates. I would give her an update every week about how things are going so that she knows you're still a part of the team and plan to come back.

I hope you will be able to return by May and avoid any complications.

jrbl77, RN · Mar 2, 2019

I’m sorry to hear about your accident and wish you the best as you recover.

Unfortunately, the world has changed. In the past, your job would could have been held. Now what is done for one person must be done for all. If your job is held, the next person with a similar situation will expect the same thing. Health care is big business today.

I believe all things happen for a reason, maybe an even better job is in your future. Good luck!

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2019

Just for consideration: there are jobs in hospitals which are 90+% seated. Unit clerks are needed all the time. Yes, it is not a "nursing job" per se and it pays much less, but it is one way to keep your foot in the door, keep your networking alive and do something for some $$.

Several of my nursing buddies did that (also case management, while using an one-foot scooter) while they were "limited in their mobility" under similar circumstances. Also, if you ever thought about going back to school and can afford it, online education is a God's gift for those who are "mobility challenged".

I am so sorry it happened with you, wishing you all the luck and full recovery!

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2019

4 hours ago, Been there,done that said:
I also had an ankle injury... couldn't walk for six months. I went on to many interesting and lucrative positions.

BTW, that's what most of my buddies told after everything was said and done. They were not even aware of the world of interesting (or less interesting, but anyway good to know about) nursing opportunities available beyond their daily grind. Almost all of them changed careers after they recovered, most definitely to the better and more satisfactory ones.

Sadly, in all cases it meant that bedside lost excellent nurses

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2019

Can you use any of your benefits, which could temporarily hold the job for you till something else is figured out?

JB2014, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2019

On 3/2/2019 at 1:13 AM, AceOfHearts<3 said:
Short term disability made a difference to me too. My workplace automatically deducts it- I don’t even think we have the option to waive it.
OP- I understand how you are feeling. I was in an accident through no fault of my own and was out of work for an extended period of time. I hadn’t been at my job for a year yet, so I too didn’t qualify for FMLA.
It was hard being off work and a roller coaster of a ride. The day I confirmed I wouldn’t be able to return to work for an unknown number of weeks more I had a very ugly cry session in my car.
Best of luck and if you ever need someone to listen, feel free to send me a PM. I don’t want to give too many details on here.

Thank you for your response! Unfortunately I'm unable to send PMs (maybe because this is a relatively unused account) but I would love to be able to hear more about your story.

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2019

Do not delude yourself,foot injuries require a lot of tlc,pt and orthopedist,sports medicine podiatrist all to put you back together.I was out for 8 +months but union contract protects up to one year position and 2 yrs job. Short term disability is paid for by hospital it is about $100/week but it is not tax free, many also get a policy thru Aflac and they will pay quickly.Try looking for positions where you can sit for periods,collect unemployment,use the time to do any certifications you need.Hopefully you will recover full function and reapply,with this shortage I am sure your position will be there or they might have new ones.If you return to same place find out how the break in service will affect your pension,health insurance or if you can have cobra during your rehabilitation.

Good luck

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 4, 2019

I would be expecting the van that hit you to be paying a lot of money.

I might be in the minority, but I can definitely understand why a workplace cannot leave a position unfilled for an extended amount of time, especially when you are only 5 months into the job. You would be out of work for longer than you held the position. It really sucks, don't get me wrong, but it sucks all around in those situations. You didn't deserve to be hit by a car, they don't deserve to be short staffed indefinitely, and no one deserves this stress. There's no great answer for the problem, unfortunately.

I would definitely look into nursing jobs you could do with your leg up, you may find a new passion! Or you may just get through this time and heal and go back to your previous position, or find something else entirely.

One area to consider - In our hospital it's called "Access", but in other hospitals, it's called other things, transfer center, transport, etc., the group of nurses that manage incoming transfer and referral calls and route them to the right people and manage deployment of transport teams. They are all nurses, it's a job you could do in a wheelchair (and keep the foot elevated) and still have money coming in.

mobaby · Mar 4, 2019

I hope you heal quickly! just make sure you take the time to take care of yourself and don't push it. Good luck in your recovery.

rn1965, ADN · Mar 4, 2019

I am wishing you well in your recovery. I am guessing, like most HR departments, they are following their protocol. I hope your manager will be able to find you a spot, once you heal properly.

In the meantime, since you were hit by another driver, you want to make sure that your time off, and lost wages are covered. If you have not already, you may want to seek legal counsel. Not to become a millionaire, but, to make sure that your time off is compensated. It will certainly help with the living expenses, not just the medical.

Good luck to you!