Published
So I developed a rash over the weekend. Thought it was linked to my daughter just having symptoms similar to hand-foot-mouth disease (I didn't bring her to the pediatrician, but the on-call nurse said it sounded a LOT like HFM). This rash had been getting more and more itchy, and since yesterday was painful. So at work I asked colleagues what they thought it might be and what they thought could be put on it. Apparently they all secretly freaked out and told my nurse manager that they wanted me checked out in case it was contagious. Mind you, none of them said this to my face. So my NM then calls me to her office and insists that I need to see a doctor before I can go back to work. Diagnosed with Shingles, but allowed to return to work since it is only direct contact precautions, and I dont intend to let anyone touch the rashes,plus they are covered by my scrubs anyways.
My question is, are there any labor laws allowing her to do this? If so, since she insisted on it and I have no medical insurance yet (this is a fairly new job), can I request that they pay part of the cost of my visit to the doctor?
I guess I am just trying to figure out if I have any recourse to help me pay for anything since my funds are kind of low because this job pays an awful salary and they basically MADE me see a doc...
Any advice or information?
Thanks all.
uRNmyway, ASN, RN
1,080 Posts
And thanks, I actually wasn't aware of that, although I did not look too much into detail into it. I have been looking into temporary healthcare for myself and my daughter, just need to figure it into my budget. And once again, since that comment seems stuck on on repeat in your posts. I am aware that if anything happens I will pay for it. I prefer that than paying for every tool with a medicare/medicaid card who uses the ER as a PCP or to enable their drug habits. And before you flame me, I KNOW that not everyone with one of those cards abuses it, but those are the ones our taxes pay for, so it will bother me no matter how many of them do it.