Losing job due to medical absences

Published

I am asking/ venting about my current situation...

I graduated 8 mo ago, got licensed, etc. I was hired at my current job (LTC) 5 months ago. I started as PRN, but the first weekend there, I was bumped up to baylor on weekends. From there, I went to 1st shift M-F. The end of January, I began working extra shifts, as we have a huge nursing shortage. After a few days of doubles, I began having severe back pain that radiates down my legs, more my right leg than my left. My dr claims it's arthritis, but I tend to disagree... since seeing him 3 weeks ago, I am still having the back/leg pain, and it seems that every joint (knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow) is achy and painful to move. My job has written me up for being out when I first began hurting (I had a dr's note), and is now threatening to write me up, continously leading to termination for any other days that I miss, with or without a dr's note.

Random notes to go along with the story...

*One of the days that the dr had taken me out, they called me trying to get me to come in to work, knowing I was in pain, and had been told to not work by my dr. I didn't go.

*The week prior to my back spazzing out, the administrator had flowers delivered to me at work, with a card thanking me "for all that I do", the next week I was wrote up and basically threatened to be fired for missing due to my medical issues.

*Last week, I was vomiting repeatedly while at work, and informed the DoN and QA nurse. I told them at 1030a I would like to go home, and she told me she would find someone to take my keys. I did not speak or see her again, I didn't get to leave until 3p, my normal time.

*The next day after vomiting, I was still sick, so I called out. The DoN called me that morning, and told me that to prevent me from getting wrote up, I needed to work 3rd that night. She has taken to threatening me with write-ups and getting fired since I first started hurting and I just can't deal with it.

I need to work to keep the insurance, but I can't work in pain, and I can't miss days and keep my job. So any ideas here? I am at a loss. I feel completely lost on this entire thing. I feel that I have let my family down by being hurt, and I'm about to lose my job because I am hurt, and there's nothing I can do. If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are not the first person to be faced with this dilemma. Unfortunately you have two choices: go to work when you are scheduled, or leave the job. Your list of what has happened makes it clear that your days are numbered there if you don't stop missing work. It does not matter if the reason is legitimate or not. They want people to come to work. You might want to speak to someone at the employment development department to find out what your rights are or to consult with an employment attorney. Good luck and I hope you can resolve your health issues.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Urgent Care.

Can you take a leave of absence until you get things under control with your back? Or what about FMLA? Not sure what the requirements are for that, although I think you have to be with your employer for a year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

As long as you are working two jobs, and they know you are working two jobs, your main job is seriously at risk.

The facility is along the lines of thinking that you are over-stressing your body because you work two jobs.

If I were you I would give up the second job for awhile.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
As long as you are working two jobs, and they know you are working two jobs, your main job is seriously at risk.

The facility is along the lines of thinking that you are over-stressing your body because you work two jobs.

If I were you I would give up the second job for awhile.

i dont see where she is working two jobs, that is how many times her schedule has been changed....

can you go to straight nocs? sl quieter......or back to w/e?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Can you take a leave of absence until you get things under control with your back? Or what about FMLA? Not sure what the requirements are for that, although I think you have to be with your employer for a year.

I haven't been there long enough for FMLA. I have no options available for any kind of leave.

As long as you are working two jobs, and they know you are working two jobs, your main job is seriously at risk.

The facility is along the lines of thinking that you are over-stressing your body because you work two jobs.

If I were you I would give up the second job for awhile.

There is no second job, I'm only working at this one LTC facility. The main issue that I'm seeing is that they have a nursing shortage already due to the DoN being a difficult person. One of the CNAs is having medical issues, not work related, and has missed many many more days, and has not been wrote up. They have an overage of CNAs, but no nurses. The DoN has alienated everyone, so now she has no PRN nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i dont see where she is working two jobs, that is how many times her schedule has been changed....

can you go to straight nocs? sl quieter......or back to w/e?

If I go back to weekends, I lose my insurance, and won't be able to get any medical attention then either. There's no other shifts that I can take.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Sadly you appear to be between a rock and a hard place. My advice if pain is the problem, find the best NSAID that the doctor suggests for you and bite the bullet and work your shifts. Take your time off from work to relax, or go to physical therapy to see if that will help your pain if your doctor agrees it would be beneficial to you. Without an FMLA you have no job protection at this point. So you need to work, you need your insurance. It is a tough choice. Me I would work in pain. I have done it in the past, most likely will do it in the future.

As to nausea and vomiting well, that sounds like the flu and will pass.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion