Quick Question

Straydandelion · May 10, 2009

You would need doctor's permission slip given to HR to work with full duties/partial duties along with the date you would be allowed to start in the facillity where I worked.

roser13, ASN, RN · May 10, 2009

That's a facility-specific question. The biggest issue is whether or not there's a limited-duty position available and whether the restrictions placed on you by your MD can be honored in that position.

Your example is a great example of the need to purchase Short Term Disability insurance.

superkyky · May 10, 2009

I would guess that you you be put on light duty...

Midwest4me · May 10, 2009

your example is a great example of the need to purchase short term disability insurance.

exactly! with our insurance programs at our hospital, short term disability pays you 60% of your gross wages---that's better than nothing, i say! you're even better off if you've racked up enough sick hours so you can use sick time to get fully paid while recuperating. so many of the employees at our hospital use their 8 hours' sick time earned each month as soon as the first of the month arrives; i always wonder what those folks do when a serious injury or surgery occurs and they need 6 weeks(240 hours) off.

showbizrn · May 10, 2009

:up:

check with your hr department

to clarify

whether you're eligible for

light-duty or

short-term disability.

my facility

does not have light duty,

so the nurse functions

at 100-percent capacity or

is off-duty for

short-term disability at

a portion of the nurse's salary.

blessings in your search.

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · May 10, 2009

I think a lot of factors would have to be considered

1 - dominent or non-dominent hand?

2 - location/type of fracture

3- unit you work on.

4 - MDs orders.

One of our physio broke her wrist but was able to work with the cast on because it was her non-dominent hand. She managed fine.

Jolie, BSN · May 10, 2009

I think a lot of factors would have to be considered
1 - dominent or non-dominent hand?
2 - location/type of fracture
3- unit you work on.
4 - MDs orders.
One of our physio broke her wrist but was able to work with the cast on because it was her non-dominent hand. She managed fine.

What are the infection control implications of a hands-on caregiver working with a cast on the hand? Is it possible to adequately clean the cast between patients?

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · May 10, 2009

Just a thought - the cast itself would be a germ magnet. What if you were on full duty and got your cast soiled when cleaning up a patient? Even if you can get a glove over the cast, there is still the issue of not being able to wash your entire hand too. Like the others said, this is something between you and your doctor and HR. I hope you heal quickly!

Blee

Nurturer3 · May 10, 2009

Depends on the facility you work for. In my hospital no nurse can be placed on light duty. You can only return to work at 100% capacity. In the meanwhile you use up your vacation time, then short term disability kicks in at 60% of your base rate.

hikernurse · May 11, 2009

We wouldn't be allowed to work with an arm cast due to infection risk. We'd have to use our short term disability/sick leave hours. A cast on the leg would be fine. That's the scary thing; you never know when something will happen to prevent you from working .