Returning to Work After COVID

[SilverBells]

With the COVID pandemic still ever present, as nurses some of us might be required to take time off to recover along with not spreading the illness to others.  

However, returning to work is a different experience for each of us.  For some, we can return right away without difficulties. For others, the return is more difficult. 

Right now, I'm in the middle of battling COVID myself.   I'm due to go back to work next Monday.   Unfortunately, my body isn't cooperating with me.  I am not sure I will be ready to go back to work next week.  I feel as if my body has given up.  It's as if it's fed up with constant stress and ready to be done.  However,  I'm still trying to prepare to go back to work next week and wondering what the best things to do are.

Who else has returned to work after battling COVID? What did you do that enabled you to be successful? 

[SilverBells, BSN]

I started PT today.  Planning on going twice a week for the next 4 weeks or so.  I got recommendations/orders to only work 4 hours every day at least for this week while I get adjusted to the new exercises.  Today I did a pretty good job sticking to that; I left after 4 hours, 15 minutes and basically got everything done.

Tomorrow, they are planning on 3 admissions.  One of our HUCs is out for the next 2 weeks.  Regardless, I do not plan on staying extra just because of the admits.  They will have to figure something else out.  I will commit to my 4 hours every day, but that's it.   Anything beyond that is a no.  And right now, no means no.  

[SilverBells, BSN]

Frustrated.  I successfully made it all week working 4-5 hours each day, PT two times, and went line dancing as well.  This weekend, I feel as if my bronchitis has flared up again.  Starting to get angry.  I've had 24 days to recover, what's the deal? My body NEEDS to be able to work more than 4 hours a day.  

[SilverBells, BSN]

Back to the BS.  Today I was chewed out by the social worker for missing morning meetings and care conferences.   I stood my ground, though.  I explained that although I'll do my best to follow up on things as needed, I'm still recovering from COVID and bronchitis.  I can only work 4 hours a day, hence someone else may need to step in sometimes.  I have no intention on increasing my hours until it is recommended.  Right now, recovery is the most important thing, even though I'm trying to return to the swing of things.  As far as I'm concerned, screw anyone who says I'm not doing enough.  They should try working after getting very sick from COVID and bronchitis, see how they do.  I'm doing very well, given the circumstances.  I have to say I must be returning back to normal if I'm getting riled up again, LOL. 

[SilverBells, BSN]

Social worker felt the need to indirectly slam me AGAIN today by talking about how attendance has been very poor at Care Conferences in front of everyone at the meeting this morning.  It wasn't just a friendly reminder about attending, it was a long rant that was uncalled for and didn't have a purpose at that meeting. In my opinion, any concerns should have been addressed privately with only the people involved.  I was originally going to let this go, but since she didn't get the point yesterday after I explained what was going on, I did go and address it with the DON.   

[SilverBells, BSN]

Well, it happened.  I ended up having a blowup again.  Social worker continued to insist on being a ***.  However, I was doing okay until I encountered a family member that was a complete ***.  He basically ruined my day to the point I couldn't function.   It all went downhill from there.  Everyone was mad at me about something.  I don't think they realize that it's very hard to get the same amount of work done in 4 hours as I used to in 12. I ended up just going home because it was obvious I wasn't going to make anyone happy.  Fortunately, it was the end of my 4 hours anyway.  

[RNKPCE]

If you test positive I think it important to get a reportable test such as a PCR and not just a home test. This may help you out for any issues if you need disability for prolong time off for recovery from covid or even long covid. 

[SilverBells, BSN]

19 hours ago, RNKPCE said:

If you test positive I think it important to get a reportable test such as a PCR and not just a home test. This may help you out for any issues if you need disability for prolong time off for recovery from covid or even long covid. 

I already did this, but thank you

[SilverBells, BSN]

Well, today I did something I haven't wanted to do, but have put off for too long.  I finally established myself with a therapist and am planning on going at least once a week while trying to recover from COVID.  I am very unhappy about the $300 out of pocket cost due to having limited insurance coverage, but my depression and anxiety have shot through the roof since COVID, so unfortunately, it's a necessary expense.  I am alienating people in my personal life and am not currently being effective at work either.  Therefore, it needs to happen so I can have more effective relationships both at and outside of work.   Fortunately, I don't have a lot of other expenses right now, so it should be manageable.  However, between all my chiropractor appointments,  PT, various doctor appointments due to COVID and now therapy, I've become an expensive person this year.  I suppose this is what I get for not taking care of myself for so long.   Hopefully, things will improve with time and I won't need so many appointments.  Maybe l'll finally establish a better work/life balance. 

[SilverBells, BSN]

Ugh, just looking at all my medical claims this morning.  I have spent over $800 on medical expenses this year, with nearly all of them being job related.  Seems like this job is costing me more than I'm making from it.   I just received the okay to work 6 hours next week instead of 4, with the goal of returning to 8 hours the week after.  However, I don't intend on working longer than 8 hours anytime soon.  

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

48 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

Ugh, just looking at all my medical claims this morning.  I have spent over $800 on medical expenses this year, with nearly all of them being job related.  Seems like this job is costing me more than I'm making from it.   I just received the okay to work 6 hours next week instead of 4, with the goal of returning to 8 hours the week after.  However, I don't intend on working longer than 8 hours anytime soon.  

The response you are receiving from family, social workers and management should tell you that they never really approeciated you and took advantage of all you were willinng to give up to appease them. Take stock! They will not change.If you are feeling well enough don't take onmore hours - use those hours to look for a job where your talants and commitment will be appreciated. Remember that out of pocket healthcare costs are tax deductible so hire a good tax guy for the nexttax season to recupe some of those costs.

[SilverBells, BSN]

My colleague has it where she is only scheduled to work 4 days a week, not 5.  Would it be out of line to ask for something like that for myself? 

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

16 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

My colleague has it where she is only scheduled to work 4 days a week, not 5.  Would it be out of line to ask for something like that for myself? 

Allyou can do is ask. The question is what are you prepared to do if they saty no? As a Master's prepared nurse you are highly marketable but remember the longer youstay in Skilled Nursing/Rehab your marketabilty goes down. So if they say no are you prepared to walk? I guarantee that if you put the kind of effort into looking for work that you put into those 16-20 hour days you will soon be employed. If I were younger I think I would go into drug study work with a pharmaceutical firm or other research position, but I am actually mostley content where I am. 

When I left the skilled nursing facility where I worked for a year and asked for more money. The DON said no and I immediately gave 2 weeks notice. They tried to cheat me out of some pay and I went to the labor board and ending up getting double the amount owed for every day I went unpaid. It came to something like $10K. 

Think some,  see what's out there and jump into the pool feet first. 

Hppy