Here's the thing, I was told not to come back to my clinical site because my instructor said there was a management meeting about me "sitting to much". I had an 8hr night shift in the ER paired with an agency nurse who was sent home early due to lack of census. I am a disabled veteran with back/foot issues who has notified both my school and the charge nurse on duty that night of my potential limitations, and if she saw me sitting it was because I was in pain.. ( if we are not busy I rest my feet, however, I make sure that if we have patients I see to them). After the beds were turned over, and all of the nurses were at the desk I proceeded to do paperwork. 20 min before my next shift my instructor called me and told me not to come in and I would be getting an action plan. I am terrified that this is going to get me kicked from the program as I need another 36 hours to complete this class. BTW I am 1 month from finishing my program. I have gotten multiple job offers and I have NEVER received a complaint from any clinical site before!
What can I do? My instructor did not talk to the nurse I was paired with or the other students that were on the floor with me that night. I was told that there was no reason fo the complainer (no idea who it could be) had no reason to "make it up".
Sorry about the rant, I am just so worried and at a loss..
I would like to thank you all again for the time you took to show an interest in me and my situation. :) Long story short I just finished my exit HESI (with a 1036) and currently awaiting my ATT.
Are you sure you are in the right profession? Seriously. I'm honestly asking. 3 miles is not that much. It's less than 10000 steps and I'm betting those were your steps for the entire day. I'm saying these things to be mean, but how does being a vet make your feet hurt, because I've heard of lots of disabled vets have very horrific and not so horrific injuries but I've never heard of I have to rest my feet. The majority of nurses that work for years have painful feet. My years of retail gave me sore feet. We suck it up and deal.
Is your disability documented? Are you considered a disabled veteran by the government? I ask, because there are huge differences here. You have more assistance available to you if it is documented. But I also see many self diagnosis on here.
And yes, you are trying to play a wounded vet card here, you signed your name as such. I have the utmost respect for every one of our veterans. I will pay for a meal for our active veterans. But what I don't like, is people who try to use an excuse to not work as hard as the rest or those that think the constantly deserve special treatment. If you cannot be on your feet for hours on end, you are in the wrong career. If you are disabled from service, there are hundreds of careers that do not have the demands of nursing. You can't expect to choose whatever and sail right through as a disabled veteran. And I hope that makes sense. Your service to our country is invaluable, but recognize your limitations. That is the difference here.
Again, thank you. You have done something I could never do.
This post is baffling to me. How does being a vet make his feet hurt? There is a multitude of possible answers. Considering some veterans no longer have feet, it's not a stretch to believe that, somewhere in the line of duty, something happened that now make his feet hurt. Also, working as a nurse does is not on the same level as combat. Yeah, we walk a lot. Yeah, our feet swell and we have a risk for varicosities. Not the same thing.
And, a disabled person can certainly be a nurse. It seems the OP simply takes advantage of times he can sit in order to avoid flare ups. Plus, there are more jobs than floor nursing. He could eventually get a job where he sits at a desk all day long.
And he is not playing the vet card, because "playing a card" implies asking for special privileges that are unneeded. He IS vet, and a wounded one at that. He's not "playing a card." He's trying to avoid pain.
OP, I'm sorry you were reported for such a ridiculous thing. I hope it works out for you.
EDIT: I also think it's interesting that you think it's amazing that you provide vets with meals, but are unwilling to welcome one into a profession where he could do well for himself. With so many homeless vets on the streets, I would think we would be happy to have a vet who can supply for himself.
I can tell you as a veteran that I developed plantar fasciitis while serving (probably due to wearing boots while working 12 hour shifts in a busy ED) and I also sustained a labral tear to my right hip while deployed. I still care for soldiers every shift in my ED, and their disabilities come in all shapes and sizes. I am still contemplating submitting my disability paperwork to the VA... I know I probably should, but eh.... I can still run after extensive rehab, but not always without pain.
A large number of our soldiers are disabled simply due to the extreme wear and tear of the Army. Bad knees, bad backs... It's rough. It's not always a blast injury or GSW, or even something combat related. A lot of our medical evacuees lately have been injured playing sports on their time off. One of my coworkers is a disabled veteran because he has a rod in his lower leg; he broke his tib/fib badly playing basketball while he was on active duty. I have worked with him for 5 years and only found that out a few months ago. You just never know!
HoneybadgerFTW
17 Posts
*last update*
I would like to thank you all again for the time you took to show an interest in me and my situation. :) Long story short I just finished my exit HESI (with a 1036) and currently awaiting my ATT.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!