Move Over, Norma Rae

[VivaLasViejas]

I'm on my feet a lot, and being neither young nor thin, I suppose I had it coming. Then the ache became a roar, and finally it was so bad that I had to see a doctor to find out why it wasn't healing. He promptly informed me that I had a torn meniscus and probably some major osteoarthritis that would have to be dealt with surgically; the MRI I had a few days later confirmed it. In the meantime, I was to wear an immobilizer, take pain pills, use the RICE protocol, and stay off it as much as possible.

So in order to continue working, I've been using a wheelchair for at least part of the shift for the past several weeks. I'm not happy about it, but when I get tired from dragging this bad leg around or need to go a long way down another hall, it's been invaluable. With a husband who's only working 20 hours a week for minimum wage, I MUST stay employed---I don't have the luxury of taking time off while I wait for my surgery date (scheduled for the 23rd of this month). And until a couple of days ago, I thought I was doing well.

There are times in every nurse's life when s/he questions whether or not continuing in this career is worth the heartache, the emotional stress, and the wear and tear on the body. That moment arrived for me when my DON sat down at the nurses' station with me and informed me that the administrator was "uncomfortable" with my using the wheelchair at work. Seems that it didn't look right to some VIP who was visiting the place......and since I didn't have a doctor's note stating exactly what was wrong with me, I shouldn't be using it---or any other visible form of support, such as a walker---during my shift. Not even AFTER my operation.

My initial response: "Huh??"

My secondary response: confusion. What on earth did using a wheelchair for part of the shift have to do with the amount of work I was producing? Wasn't I getting everything done as usual? If I hadn't been, I could've understood the concern, but being able to scoot along whenever I had to go to the other end of the building made the difference between completing my work in my usual timely fashion or being in so much pain that I couldn't even think straight, let alone finish everything I had to do.

And it wasn't like I was always in the chair, either; I only used it when I absolutely had to. But because I didn't bring in a copy of my medical record for this purpose---like the immobilizer and a pronounced limp weren't evidence enough of my problems---I wouldn't be allowed to work if I couldn't do it unassisted. I would have to take FMLA leave (unpaid, of course) until I was cleared for normal duty.......no matter if that was a week or a month. In the meantime, my hours were being changed anyway due to budget cuts, meaning I could work as few as 20 hours per week (and lose my health insurance), or maybe as many as 48, which is about 16 more than I can handle even when I'm at 100%.

My third response was indignation. I've broken my backside for this organization, I care about my residents and staff, and I've saved the facility not one but TWO lawsuits, thanks to my diplomatic skills and a willingness to spend some 'quality time' with the more, um, intense families. If that's the thanks I get.........besides, as I said to myself, my condition is NONE of their business, and I wasn't going to waste my time or the doctor's time getting "permission" to use some form of support so I could get through each day a little easier. So when I went to work yesterday, I was determined to make it without any help whatsoever......they weren't going to put ME out to pasture if I could help it.

This attitude lasted exactly one shift...........and this morning, after spending the night flopping around in pain like a beached fish despite two Vicodin and an Ativan (and nearly falling because the knee had the nerve to lock up on me when I got out of bed), my inner activist roared to the surface and screamed in my ear, "Are you SERIOUS? You are a professional nurse---you don't work for an Alabama textile mill, and you aren't Norma Rae. How dare they treat you like this!"

As a matter of fact, I am serious. And I'm done feeling hurt and disappointed in my employer; now, I'm royally ticked off. I've loved this job, and this place, more than any other in my entire career; but I have only this one body, and I'm not going to let ANYBODY tell me I'm not allowed to take care of myself just because they don't like "how it looks". Heck, if I were a visitor to the building and saw a nurse going about her duties in a wheelchair or with a walker, I would think it an honorable thing to keep her working despite her disability (and mine is only temporary, for crying out loud!). But I guess that's just me.

What I'm going to do from here on out, I don't know; but I don't see myself continuing much longer in this position with the prevailing attitudes and the uncertainty regarding my hours, even after I recuperate from the arthroscopy. I'm a fifty-something nurse with years of experience and I will NOT let myself be abused again---not here, not anywhere.

Is there ANY nursing facility, hospital, clinic, or other healthcare setting that doesn't treat nurses like dirt? Inquiring minds want to know!

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I was hurt on the job in 2006. I was sent to a supposed physical rehab doc provided by workman's comp who didnt appear to know what to do to help me. I begged to do some form of therapy. BEGGED. When he finally prescribed some therapy, after about four months of doing nothing at all, he decided to send me back to work after 6 weeks of therapy, which had JUST begun to work. I was re-injured. And so it went for about three years. I begged for a different doc. NO way. I begged for a second opinion, again, no way.

After 3 1/2 years of pain, agony, taking off more paid time and FMLA time than I actually had, I had to go on LOA without pay....except for workman's comp. I went to an attorney, something I had not wanted to do, and within a week or so, I suddenly got a second opion and was placed in an intensive PT rehab program- and what a difference it made!

However, after that, despite my discharge from PT with minimal restrictions, my hospital didn't want me anymore. My unit didn't want me, and when I applied for other jobs it was like dropping a rock into a deep dark abyss; no response.

The last six months have been the most depressing as I realized that in all likelihood my nursing career is over in this area.

To top it off, the settlement is teeny weeny. It looks like I'll have to apply for Soc Sec Disability Insurance, since almost no one around here will offer an 8 hour day, desk job, with reasonable pay and benefits, such as health insurance.

By the way- the way I got hurt was by catching a patient who was falling. She'd already had both of her knees replaced and all I could think of was, "If those knees hit the floor...they CAN'T hit the floor!!!!" So I saved her untold pain and agony and the hospital a very expensive lawsuit or settlement. Rather than a "Bravo, job well done!" and support/understanding by my admin, I basically was told that they'd been very patient with me for the last couple of years and probably ought to think about disability.

I loved my job and I loved where I worked. But after forcing their hand by signing with an attorney, I became a persona non grata, a burr under the saddle and something to be disposed of.

I'm 57 and I'm not sure what kind of nursing I can do now, with a bad back, other health issues, a BA in Anthropology and a Diploma in Nursing. I'm looking around. Keep your fingers crossed for me....

and OP, I understand everything you said very, very well.

I empathise with you so very much.

I knew an older nurse who (when young) was not taught to lift correctly & ended up with back problems. After untold hassles (being shuttled around to different units, being off work, surgery) she was put on worker's compensation & got 70% of her pay cut.

Here in Australia, if someone falls, we are taught NOT to stop them falling. You guide them to the floor if possible, if not, let them fall and hurt themselves. This saves the nurses getting hurt, but the patient may require more surgery, PT, whatever.

It sounds awful but there is no point in hurting yourself, ESPECIALLY if this patient was overweight, non-compliant, unwilling to do rehab, whatever. I would also be asking WHY this patient fell - is she unstable? Does she need more PT, better shoes, what? I hope she wasn't sent home soon after that either, and got assessed in a Falls Unit.

It is so very true you saved the hospital lawsuits etc and helped the patient, but I tell you in the end, no-one cares if you injure yourself. It took me a long, long time to realise this. When I was in a bad car accident, nobody could have given two hoots as to how I was (it wasn't work related, but similar situation). The day after I came out of the hospital, I rang my boss and told her about the car. She promptly told me that I had lost my job there and then - that was it, no commiserations, no negotiations, no how are you, all she cared about was the staffing and that the hospital would need someone ASAP. I was so angry I told her at least I wasn't a heartless *****, then hung up. And I'm glad I did. I did get my pay that was owing to me but that was it, baby. You're on your own!!

Depression was not the word for what I went through. After that I really lost a lot of faith and trust in humanity. I VOWED I would never help anyone and injure myself after that (though I wasn't hurt at work), I decided I had to look after ME because no-one else will, and management do not care. And you ARE expendable no matter what you think of yourself and no matter what others say. They will just get a temp nurse in, or someone younger they can manipulate.

You HAVE to be selfish at times, and if someone falls, well they fall. Let management deal with the consequences. I will certainly not put my back out (as I nearly have in the past), because some big fat patient will not make any effort at all to get off the toilet. I tell them now 'I am not hurting my back for you' & they HAVE to move. It does work in the end, otherwise I let them sit there and be uncomfortable for a while. I have nursed people (as we all have) who have hurt their backs/knees whatever lifting people, furniture, etc and they have been spread eagled on their stomach in a bed cos they cannot move & lose their jobs. Society does not help people who injure themselves at work, even to help other people.

If you can't do the job (wheelchair or no wheelchair) they will do what they can to get you out.

But do go see a lawyer or your union/hospital representative to see where you stand. And do look around for another job, citing your years of experience (don't focus on negative things). What about phone nursing where people ring in for advice, something like that? I know it is very hard, but you will get better and try to stay positive. Start thinking about the future and browse the job ads. Can you study for something else, or try to get a job somewhere where you sit down?

Hope everything works out for you.

[worldtraveler]

Go and have a consult in privacy with a Labor law Attorney. Period

[RunAwayNurse]

I'm sorry to hear how your facility has been treating you but this apparently is becoming standard practice in most facilities now. They feel that they can do what ever they want to their employees and get away with it and do so with a smile. I have worked very hard in my career and have nothing to show for it but bad knees and other parts that ache. Most employers now only care about one thing and that is " MONEY" . I'm one that does not take anything from any employer, once I find out you are trying to kill me, it is time to leave and that is exactly what I do. The medical profession is becoming a very difficult field to work in and I'm so glad I made it up in my mind to pay off all of my bills, so that I don't become a slave to these "MONSTERS" . The ones that really suffer are our patients and as employers continue to pile on more and more work, our patients receive less and less of our time and care. It is really scary what is happening in the medical field, if it gets any worse, I don't know what we are going to do. I hope everything works out for you and pray that you get what you need, in a time when your employer has basically turned its back on you. Remember that GOD loves you and will provide all of your needs and all we have to do is believe. It worked for me all the times that I had to leave jobs running with no earthly idea where my next job would come from. So keep the faith and your head up and you can't go wrong.

:flwrhrts:

[Doc Lori, R.N.]

I worked in a hospital where a wound-ostomy nurse not only had MS, but was injured on the job (back). Same thing as with you, the admin didn't like the way it looked. She tooled around on a motorized wc to save her energy. I give individuals such as yourself and the nurse I worked with..for not taking leave, for continuing to give your all, and give quality care.

Best wishes to you on your surgery and recovery! Hold your head high :)

[georgealarcon]

This is horrible that your pain didn't heal. Surgery is always serious business. Nothing to take lightly.

[Fiona59]

I'll probably get flamed for this but after reading your post and the replies, I can honestly "thank God I'm Canadian and unionized".

My employer bends over backwards to accomodate injured nurses. Yes, they require documentation of the injuries but they will do their best to accomodate your physical restrictions rather than lose a nurse to disability pay.

One nurse that comes to mind was accomodated to such an extent that coworkers became fed up. No lifting, no walking, no direct patient care, tried a desk job, worked as unit clerk with RN wages. Finally the region realized that there was just no accomodating this nurse, every option was "too hard, too stressful, etc". Gone on permanent disability.

I'm not comparing this nurse's injuries to yours but just want to point out that universal healthcare cares for both the patient and the nurse and isn't the "Great Satan" your media loves to portray it as.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Fiona59

We have universal healthcare in Australia, so no-one here has to worry about how they are going to pay bills if they land in hospital.

Whether someone needs chemotherapy, antibiotics, physio, orthopaedic surgery, any surgery, they get it no matter what the cost. Outpatient physio (PT) can take up to a year or more, which of course is ridiculous. And I have seen managers who were worrying re their budget tell surgeons not to do a certain surgery, the surgeon has argued strenuously and gone ahead and done surgery anyway. It is also good publicity for the hospital if a big/complicated surgery goes well, as they do attract private patients to.

I have heard the USA term this as 'socialised medicine'. I don't understand why it is called that, but wouldn't people be happy knowing that if their grandma/momma falls over they will be cared for with no expense spared? What is wrong with that? That means everyone gets healthcare, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Granted I haven't looked into the whole issue in depth (start studying again soon so my time is limited with shiftwork), but Obama seems to be pushing for better & equal health care for all.

I as a RN work in both private and public sectors & give the same quality care to everyone, for the same pay. And I don't mind doing this as long as everyone is cared for adequately.

[Fiona59]

Carol:

The OP is American. If you read any of the threads on universal health coverage you will get some very interesting responses from American posters.

Many feel that if you can afford insurance great, they just don't want to pay extra taxes to ensure everyone has equal access.

I was down in the States a lot last year and couldn't believe the things Americans think about Cdn., UK, Scandanavian healthcare. Basically they think we have waitlists for everything, limits on what will be done for us, and substandard care because it's available to everyone.

Many also feel that Unions are pure evil.

That's why I'm glad I'm unionized and have universal healthcare here in the Great White North. I might have to wait for the odd procedure more than 36 hours but I won't be denied it because I can't afford it or it's not covered by my health insurance. I have a friend in Texas who pays over 700USD/month for very limited health insurance and she always say's she'd love to be able to have her bloodwork done without insurance penalties.

[victoriashe]

We have killed our feet and legs all in the name of caring for someone else. Wait a minute, I'm the nurse that was fired at age 55.

just looking for a little kindness while I walk the journey

[avengingspirit1]

I am sorry for how you were treated. But as we say, don't get mad, get even. We as nurses must realize that although we are in a profession that is all about caring for others, we must all come to the realization that that caring attitude does not extend to employer-employee relationships. To an employer, a worker is looked at as liability or a necessary evil. And yes this is even true with hospitals. The less workers they can get away with having, the better. Also realize that nothing gets resolved within the organization. No one in the organization will admit something was unethical or wrong because it makes the entire organization look bad. So go through the motions of following the chain of command but always know they will back each other up. Write a letter to the editor of one of your local newspapers or call one of your local news stations with your story. There is one thing an organization fears above all else; that is bad publicity which could result in a loss of revenue. But know that if you do this, you could risk never being able to return to this job. However, I have found in my own experience that these organizations never expect someone to put up a fight. I took on a major healthcare organization and won because I came at them like a bull and showed them I would not back down.

[Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN]

Don't interview until after surgery! Plus, you need to be 100% ready to work hospice. Hospice adminstrators may be no different than yours.

That said, I watched the cold-blooded approach come into nursing and shivered. Man, am I ever grateful to an older nurse that took me under her wing when I was a new nurse and laid out the cold-hard facts. At the time, I didn't believe her, okay, I laughed my a**off in private. Later though, I watched things happen to older workers and I remembered what she said. I made a plan to be retired and debt free by fifty. I can't tell you the older nurses I left behind in my retirement freaking out because they're being discriminated against, but don't have the funds or stamina to fight.

When I had administrative clout, I tried to get administration to hold non-bedside jobs for older nurses or nurses on light duty. I wrapped it around the theme of caring for the caregivers. Sadly, nurses either didn't want to get involved or magically thought they would never get sick, but the majority of forty year olds didn't weigh in. Management thanked me for caring but wouldn't implement a non-supported policy. Different story with younger nurses with kids. They clobbered me (verbally) in the stairwells, hallways, and parking lots. They wanted day shift and no weekends and adm liked them because they're cheaper. Lots of older nurses told me afterwards they wished they had supported my efforts. Now, they're getting the shaft and wonder why few care.

Over the years, I re-told the advice and got mixed reactions. But hey, I ran into one nurse at the library and she thanked me ten years later! Said, it made sense and after seeing people fired after common off the job injuries such as many already described in this post, she changed her mind set too. Bottom line nurses need to be in the job they love and dream of by 45. After fifty the job door narrows.

Glad to see you've mastered the art of "stealth job hunting." Good Luck!

[Nikki 1984]

I feel for you, I really do. I'm an LPN who works at a LTC facility. I have 22 patients on the hall that I'm responsible for. That I was responsible for. I no longer work for them for various reasons, the number one reason being that they couldn't care less about each and everyone of their employee's. An RN that works the hall opposite from me when I was there, came to me one night saying that she was having chest pains. I took her VS and they were off the charts . She explained to me that she has had heart problems in the past which she was hospitalized for. She was currently under a cardiologist care but didn't tell the facility because of fear of losing her job. Anyhow, to make a long story short , she got up against my wishes and continued to pass out her 9:00 pm med pass for her 22 patients. A few minutes later she collapsed and I call 911 to come pick her up. I called the current D.O.N., who by the way was one of five we had gone through in 6 months. The D.O.N. told her that she could not leave the facility until she finished passing out her meds, which would have been about two hours later. I got on the phone after hearing this and told her she needed to get coverage for this nurse because I already called for an ambulance to pick her up and they would be here in a few minutes. I put her on O2, gave her a baby aspirin, nitro sl, and we waited for the ambulance to come. The D.O.N. was very angry about the situation. My friend ended up in the hospital for a few days, lucky to have survived her ordeal. The D.O.N. posted a note at the nurses station saying that call outs would not be allowed for any reason. This is only one example of their rude behavior towards their employee's. They were being unprofessional!! It's a real shame that we have to deal with this kind of behavio. Take care of yourself, they don't care!! If your application states that they do not discriminate due to race, age, or DISABILITIES , maybe they need a little legal reminder if you know what I mean. The facility that I was speaking of treats their employee's like DIRT!! In my 27 yrs. as a nurse I have never dealt with such rude, hateful people. Their current D.O.N. is a new grad two year RN. She is being used by the administrator and doesn't even realize it. There are BSN nurse's with 20+years of experience who should have been offered the job, but money is a big issue here. They can get away with paying a new grad alot less than an experienced one. Sorry I've gone on and on but I recently left this facility because of their behavior and because of some of the seriously, illegal practices going on there. I wish you good luck and I truly hope that you find peace in your life. We only get one chance of life so we have to protect it. I really hope that things turn out good for you!