Want to get off of disability

woody62, RN · Jun 21, 2008

I have a few questions. Can you make a living at just teaching CPR? Who would hire you and what would your benefits be? Would you be entitled to WC, health insurance, vacation time, advances in position? I can understand your desire not to become permanently and totally disabled but the questions I ask should have an impact on a desire to return to gainful employment.

There are many of us, who are disabled, who would love to return to nursing. A good number of us have skills and knowledge to share. But we are limited in the number of hours we can work a day or by our limitations. And to be honest, employers and our peers look at us with a juandiced eye, not wanting to hire us or have us work with them. I have attempted to return to work several times and have not been successful. I have managed to get as far as a second interview, only to be told that they have chosen someone from within. Now I have reached my sixties and have an added strike against me. And I should note, I was forty-four when I was injureed.

All I can say is good luck.

Woody:twocents:

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2008

I have two bum knees and plantar fasciitis x1 foot. I've also had multiple surgeries and have been told that my kneeling days are over and, in fact, they are. I live on Ibuprofen and tylenol. My limp is obvious and I get jeering looks from my managers because I don't readily volunteer for double shifts. It is torture after around my 6th hour. I've tried critical care, home health and psych nursing. All of them, in some way, have been affected by my disability. I've learned that pain is an unwelcome distraction when I need my full wits about me. It slows me down and probably makes me appear lazy. I've found that the best way for me to continue nursing is on a casual basis.

I would say though, that of all the specialties, home health was the easiest on my body. However for me it was tough because I live in an area where houses are often on top of steep hills and stairs, especially icy ones, were an issue. Maybe you don't have that problem where you are. It's a thought. With your experience as an LPN, perhaps a HH company might not require you to have med surg experience as an RN.

Just sharing from my own experience working as a disabled nurse. Best of luck.

I love my cat! · Jun 21, 2008

Bellcollector,

From what I have read, you can begin working as a trial run, so to speak. You would not lose your disability benefits. Remember, by law, employers must make reasonable accommodations for your disability. For example, I have seen co-workers with disabilities receive all sorts of reasonable accommodations. I've seen modified hours, more breaks (r/t fatigue issues, medication needs, etc.), specific days off, as well as certain duties being given to other employees.

From the social Security site:

"First, you should know that if you go back to work, you will NOT automatically lose your disability benefits. The Ticket to Work and special rules called "work incentives" allow you to keep your cash benefits and Medicare or Medicaid while you test your ability to work. For the SSDI program, there is a trial work period during which you can receive full benefits regardless of how much you earn, as long as you report your work activity and continue to have a disabling impairment."

ALSO........

"Effective October 1, 2000, the law extended Medicare Part A (Hospital) premium-free coverage for 4.5 years beyond the current limit for disability beneficiaries who work. This means that you could work and still potentially retain your Medicare, for FREE, for up to four and a half years.

If you are not on Medicare and are instead receiving Medicaid, there are provisions for you as well. For example, most States have the option of providing Medicaid coverage to more people between the ages of 16-64 with disabilities who work. To find out if this coverage is available in your State, call the State Medicaid office in your area."

I think that it is great that you want to return to work! Good luck with everything!

bellcollector · Jun 22, 2008

Thank you for the replies. First off I don't plan to make a living just teaching cpr I just thought being certified to teach it may improve my chances at a job. I am not on SSDI and I don't get medicade or medicare I am on Worker's Compensation total temporary disability. This is definatly not where I planned to be at this point in my life. I was 37 when I got hurt. I am just looking for ideas of area's in nursing that I can work in and how I can improve my marketability.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jun 22, 2008

I think looking for a staff development job is a good idea. Most LPN's are top notch in the skills department so I would think that the completion of your RN would make you marketable in this area.