Nurses with disabilities

[zipcat]

I am a nurse/NP with over ten years of experience who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder a few years ago. Although my disorder isn't immediately visible, it has impacted my life dramatically. Some days are better than others, and my health is no longer predictable.

Since that time my ability to handle my workload has stayed the same but I have been out sick more often. I have requested accomodations regarding my schedule and have been refused. I work in very conventional huge medical center that does not think proactively.

I am looking at different work options. Can anyone suggest any good resources specifically for nurses with disabilities...given the shortage of nurses these days, I'm sure that there must be some debate and thinking concerning nurses who are good at their work but must cope with a disability.

[twinkletoes53]

Can anyone help me?

I have severe degenerative arthritis, that I was diagnosed with 9 years ago. I have had bilateral total knee replacements, and in Nov. I face surgery to fuse 3 bones in my right ankle. With this surgery, I will be non-weight bearing on my right leg for 3 months minimum. This latest surgery will put me on disability for a minimum of 4 months. In addition, I need to have ramps installed in my home, and someone to come see me everyday. I live alone with no family to help.

I work in a 70+bed NICU, which I have loved for over 25 years. I must face the fact that my working days may be over. I have certain restrictions at work now, which the hospital has honored. It is difficult for me to sit, stand, or walk for more than about 15 minutes at a time. If I sit too long, I get stiff. I work with a brace on my ankle. But it is getting so HARD, and is extremely painful to work. I wonder sometimes if I am becoming a burden to some other staff. I may need some help with minor things, such as taking lab. to the desk, or moving anything heavier than a bassinette. It does hurt...I have worked at the same hospital for over 31 years.

Nurses do not have a pension plan, so I must rely on my 401K savings + disability if I quit work. I only work part-time now; on disability I will bring home approx. half my usual salary.

How have you coped with a permanent decrease in income? What if I don't have enough money to see me through my retirement years? I am only 53. I am so close to owning my home (4 years)but I wonder if I need to sell it and move into one that has no steps at all and is handicapped accessible. Oh Go how I hate that word. I tell people I have the mind of a 30 year old, in an 80 year old body. I enjoy life, and care for 3 small, older dogs.

Is it true that if I eventually go to an assisted living facility, the government will go through all of my savings to pay my bills before Medicaid will kick in?

Will insurance pay for someone to come in daily so I can continue to live in my home? If I go on permanent disability, I have been told that for me to get private insurance after my COBRA expires, will cost me >$500/month because I have pre-existing conditions. I have been told by 4 doctors that I would qualify for full disability today.

Finally, on a lighter note...should we have become actresses instead? Or talk show hosts? And make $1-3 million per week? Are we ALL in the wrong profession?

I cannot understand how someone can be paid $2 million/week, while we as nurses struggle financially, after giving our lives to help other people. I would not have EVER wanted to do anything else with my life. I just wish money wasn't such an issue at such a young age.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Hi Yappymutts: i too worried about the loss of financial resources, I did go to my County and ask for assistance (I'm currently not working, but still a student!). Medicare I believe will not pay for in home help. I'm on SSDI and after 2 years of rec'ving disability I now qualify for medicare. My understanding on medicaid is you have to have nothing! You have 4 years left to pay on your house, GREAT! Once paid that burden will be gone and the retirement issue will become much better,(so I'm told). Congrats on your longevity and courage to face daily pain in our crazy little world of caring nurses!

[woody62, RN]

Can anyone help me?

I have severe degenerative arthritis, that I was diagnosed with 9 years ago. I have had bilateral total knee replacements, and in Nov. I face surgery to fuse 3 bones in my right ankle. With this surgery, I will be non-weight bearing on my right leg for 3 months minimum. This latest surgery will put me on disability for a minimum of 4 months. In addition, I need to have ramps installed in my home, and someone to come see me everyday. I live alone with no family to help.

I work in a 70+bed NICU, which I have loved for over 25 years. I must face the fact that my working days may be over. I have certain restrictions at work now, which the hospital has honored. It is difficult for me to sit, stand, or walk for more than about 15 minutes at a time. If I sit too long, I get stiff. I work with a brace on my ankle. But it is getting so HARD, and is extremely painful to work. I wonder sometimes if I am becoming a burden to some other staff. I may need some help with minor things, such as taking lab. to the desk, or moving anything heavier than a bassinette. It does hurt...I have worked at the same hospital for over 31 years.

Nurses do not have a pension plan, so I must rely on my 401K savings + disability if I quit work. I only work part-time now; on disability I will bring home approx. half my usual salary.

How have you coped with a permanent decrease in income? What if I don't have enough money to see me through my retirement years? I am only 53. I am so close to owning my home (4 years)but I wonder if I need to sell it and move into one that has no steps at all and is handicapped accessible. Oh Go how I hate that word. I tell people I have the mind of a 30 year old, in an 80 year old body. I enjoy life, and care for 3 small, older dogs.

Is it true that if I eventually go to an assisted living facility, the government will go through all of my savings to pay my bills before Medicaid will kick in?

Will insurance pay for someone to come in daily so I can continue to live in my home? If I go on permanent disability, I have been told that for me to get private insurance after my COBRA expires, will cost me >$500/month because I have pre-existing conditions. I have been told by 4 doctors that I would qualify for full disability today.

Finally, on a lighter note...should we have become actresses instead? Or talk show hosts? And make $1-3 million per week? Are we ALL in the wrong profession?

I cannot understand how someone can be paid $2 million/week, while we as nurses struggle financially, after giving our lives to help other people. I would not have EVER wanted to do anything else with my life. I just wish money wasn't such an issue at such a young age.

Let me share what happen to me. But you need to bear in mind, it may not happen to you. I was earning about $1,000 to $1,500 a week. For about three months out of each year, I also did staff relief on the weekends, to keep my hand in clinical nursing. It was at that job that I herniated L4-5. In May of 1`988, I had a percutaneous distecomy. It failed after four days and my surgeon wanted to do an open laminectomy but the WC insurance wouldn't authorize it, citing they need a second opinion. I had the second opinion at the end of October, the last day they could have it done, without me automatically getting the needed surgery. I had the surgery on November 29, 1988. I took time off from my primary job, the major source of my income, and left on vacation. On January 30, 1989 I went to see my surgeon, who promised to release me for my primary job in another two weeks. On the way home, I was hit by a big rig. I suffered major trauma to the left side of my body, as well as closed head trauma..

At the time, I was getting $142.50 every two weeks in Temporary Total Disability payments from WC. I lost my condo to foreclosure, my IRA went in part to pay taxes and penalties for early withdrawal, the feds didn't care about the reason. My daughter had to drop out of college. I filled for SSDI and it was granted 18 months later. I got Medicare six months later, after receiving my SSDI. I got Medicaid for the 18 months I lived on the $142.50. The state of Florida couldn't take my home, the bank did it first. They did file a lien against me if I ever found the owner/operator of the big rig, which I never did. I fought with WC for the next seven years and finally settled.

If I had to go into a home, I could be expected to spend down any of my assets, to less the $2,000. The care facility could take all of my income with the exception of $35 a month before I would be eligible for Medicaid. My monthly income is now approximately $2500 a month. When I first settled, I was able to afford a car, with some of the upfront money they gave me. I no longer have a car, it die a year ago. I am trying to put money a sided so I can get one to get around town in. I get by. I certainly do not live the life I once lived. But I am not totally poor, just a tad above it.

You have to look at your own finances. Your potential income, if you want to apply for SSDI, which if you do can take any where from 12 to 24 months to get. After you have been disabled for twenty four months, you are eligible for Medicare. Take it and sign up for Part D to cover your medications. I have remained on the fee for service form. I think I know when I need a doctor or need to go to the ER. If you apply for SSDI, you cannot be able to work for at least twelve months. No work, none. Look into assisted living/independent living for the future. It cost about $1750 a month down here, for a alcove apartment, three meals a day, transportation to doctors offices and to Walmarts twice a week, plus a lunch time meal at a restaurant meal.

Woody:balloons:

[Franny2332]

i "heard" you can work up to 900 hours a year and continue with SSDI???? Any thoughts?

Sharona97

Sharon-

I heard and read the same information but I do not see them allowing us to stay on SSDI after we prove we can work even PT. I want to work PT but the fear and danger exists- we could lose all benefits and never get them back if we relapse.lol

FrannyK

[nerdse, MSN]

Disable n was working but i m incredibly sick now from what they r doin w/ my sched. I had a job I could mostly manage b4, but it was decided I couldn't b/c they were going 2 change it around n up the ante, n sez they'd put me in 1 I could manage; makes them look gr8 but once I was in the job everyone said was mostly sitting w/ no OT, I find out I have 1 deadline after another that stretches my ability 2 cope w/ my condition. Can't continue i m worn out.

telehealth companies r closing/consolidating. i know they tried w/ some older ppl 2 get them 2 do it n some liked the attn but they couldn't hear or catch on 2 the info w/o more help; n telehealth not allowed to give over a certain amt of time. 1 less option...

Admitting nurse option: u hear this n in some places the nurses say they have 2 do their own adm. assmt n won't hand off 2 another nurse b/c it's "not good practice" - but they take report if they didn't admit the pt and read the chart, what's the diff? Disabled nurses would b good at that but jobs would not be plentiful. Had a gf who did it 4 a while. She said there were constant c/o b/c she couldn't do 20 - 40 per shift. Mgrs c/o to the nurses 4 not admitting their own pts if admitting nurse couldn't do it, so she got labeled "useless" - quit b4 they could fire her, the person after her apparently didn't last long either. Unrealistic expectations. Then of course they cut the position sayin it didn't work...geesh, it was sabotaged!

If u believe the NNOC ads u c from time 2 time in the mail, when CA instated staffing ratios more nurses were able 2 return 2 work n the shortage stopped, but u say that 2 a hosp admin n u best duck n cover for the verbal attack. Can't blame the hosp 4 being careful of $$ or we don't have jobs, but at same time, what u save in lawsuits seems it would pay 4 itself 2 do some of these things.

My ? of the day: how much waste in HC spending is actually to pay 4 lawyers who make a LOT more than RNs do to stop legit suits while idiot ones get thru. AND 2 stop suits that wouldn't happen if they had 2-4 RNs instead of a lawyer...

Also how much is spent on futile care? I mean, we all know stories of ppl w no hope of survival kept alive 4 sometimes wks or mo at a time on vents n such, coded over n over, expensive meds, but WORST OF ALL THEIR PAIN N SUFFERING! That story that got the award, every nurse on these boards can rel8 2 that. N they c/o how much it costs 4 healthcare 4 a disabled nurse???? It is legal in most states 2 deny medically futile care but they wont do that instead they say the ppl would sue them 4 sayin care was futile. Meanwhile, pts suffer. Just try advocating 4 pts. U get an earful n ur branded a troublemaker if not worse.

n e way this has gone on 2 long i know sorry needed 2 rant a bit.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

It's been 3 years I haven't worked. I am now just feeling strong enough to go back into the work force. I will work 38 hours a month doing Flu Clinics at differnet corporations for an agency.

When I was asked why I could not work more hours (which I knew was coming) I simply stated that I have other obligations.

By working few hours per month at the pay rate offered I will be within the guidlines of SSDI. I am concerned about the SSDI going away, but I feel that if I am feeling this strong again and feel like I can return to the workforce I would only be cheating myself if I didn't try.

I truly believe that everyone's situation is different. I haven't talked to SSDI, I read the information and policy book given to me.

If it's works out for me this could be a seasonal job that I feel I could handle and I'll take it from there. I too, have the fear of relapse and can only pray that all the work I've put into recovery is long-lasting if not permenent.