OuchieRN

Wish it were that simple-- the MD will not clear me until the fx is healed, and the "normal procedure" is that the NP at OHS has the right to reject the MD's clearance! She did it once already when I actually got a clearance from a different MD. As for sitting in on classes, I asked to do that and was told if I can't show up for regular duty then I can't show up for anything at all. Don't mean to shoot you down. The only thing I can do right now is show up and ask the nurse manager (absentee meaning that she is totally unresponsive to my emails/calls) to sign the LOA ppwk once I have an estimated return-to-work date.

I worked at this hospital as a CNA before I became an RN and they liked me enough to hire me back and indicated that I was doing a good job in my RN role. I'm utterly baffled by their sudden lack of responsiveness. I do work in an at-will state.

Great question. I didn't even ask for light duty, I just want to go to back to work. They're insisting I can't properly give meds or "lift patients" with one broken finger...?? Pregnant nurses aren't asked not to come to work and they get "light duty" all the time.

Looking for advice! Here is the very short version: I got hired by a private hospital (non-union) in July. Three months into my orientation (new RN residency is a year long at this place), I broke my finger. They will not let me come to work until I get a clearance from occupational health NP as there is no "light duty." Now my nurse manager and orientation staff will not get in touch with me, answer any questions/emails, tell me where to send leave of absence paperwork. HR can only tell me that my department head (absentee nurse manager) needs to sign the paperwork as this falls under nursing jurisdiction. They told me at the beginning not to worry about my job but their behavior is absolutely leading me to worry about my job. Can they even fire someone for breaking their finger? The injury wasn't work related and the MD says I can most likely go back to work at the beginning of November. Any suggestions?