I was dealing with neck pain for a while. I chalked it up to my fibro and kept pushing through. It eventually went to my shoulder, then began weakness and numbness in my left arm. I had to go on the little FMLA I had.
Its taken a month to get my official diagnosis of a C5 and C6 nerve root compression. I also have shoulder issues but the neck is overtaking the shoulder at the moment.
I see a neck doctor this Friday which is eating up more of my time. I'm concerned I may need a lami. If that happens, I will for sure lose my job. I don't know how you recover professionally from that.
Has anyone lost their job, recovered, then found another? If I need to work another 25 years, I need my shoulder and neck to be functioning. I'm just worried how it will look.
I love my current job and would be devastated to lose it.
I hate the fact that I can't properly recover because I'm so stressed about losing my job. I'm very frustrated.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
What about the ADA though. If you became disabled, your employer might have to move you to a job you could do. You might not like it, but you'd have a paycheck. I would take a leave of absence, like someone mentioned, consult your union contract/or employee handbook and/or applicable laws in you state regarding FLMA and disability.
If I had a disabling injury (potentially disability) I would take a leave of absence and then look into switching into a department or role that allowed me to continue to work.
amzyRN
1,142 Posts
What about the ADA though. If you became disabled, your employer might have to move you to a job you could do. You might not like it, but you'd have a paycheck. I would take a leave of absence, like someone mentioned, consult your union contract/or employee handbook and/or applicable laws in you state regarding FLMA and disability.
If I had a disabling injury (potentially disability) I would take a leave of absence and then look into switching into a department or role that allowed me to continue to work.
I would talk to a disability attorney too.