I am a RN with 20 plus years of experience.  After assisting 4 children through college I now am going back to complete advanced education in nurse anesthesia.  I as searching for short term financial help that will allow me to go to school full time for the next 2 years.

Well, this is about 3 weeks after putting my story on aidmate, and my bathroom just burned down! We managed to put the fire out, I don;t know how, it was huge! But we got it out and we are still alive!The bathroom and all of our chlothes on hangers and all our pj's and underclotheswith it! My fathers chest of drawers that he had since I can remember. We didn't have time to call fire dept, no phone or cell service here!It started in the wall circuit.We did bucket brigade till it slowed down and my husband brought hose in through window to finish it ! He is digging burned clothes out as I type to be sure it can't start back up!!

Hi, I am a 52 year old Registered Nurse that has been unable to work a full time job since January of 2004. At that time I was working full time for Pasco Regional Medical Center in Dade City , Florida. I was a busy nurse with lots of love to give to my patients and I loved my job. I have been a nurse since 1992 and have always loved nursing.  In December of 2003 I finally went to the orthopedic doctor that worked at my hospital, I had been walking on my left knee with worsening pain for almost 7 years, learning to hold my knee just so, so that the pain was not so bad. The prior December my right knee had begun to hurt and in just one year was as painful as the left knee. I had tried a few arthritis medications from my regular Doctor, but they did not help. I had delayed going to the Doctor prior to this because I believed that at the least I would need an exploratory arthroscopy of my knee that would require me to take time off work, and that my work was valuable and my hospital and coworkers needed me on the job. When I went to the orthopedic doctor he sent me for MRI's of my knees, which I had done at my hospital where I worked. It would have cost more on my part to use an outside facility as my hospital was self insured and charged a higher co-pay for any outside services obtained. I had the MRI's done and had an appointment to return to the Doctor in about a month. The results of my MRI's were accessible by the hospital and all employees that had computer access, although we were all aware that to look at someone's medical records when you were not directly responsible for the care of that person constituted a HIPPA violation, or in other words was a violation of that persons privacy and protected by law.( My employers looked at my MRI results. They had already fired several people that used the insurance regularly. One was a supervisor that had been there many years, whose husband had brain cancer; another was a supervisor that had a heart condition that was always landing him in other facilities Intensive Care Units because he liked going out of town on his time off. ) It so happened that the following payday we all had to show our hospital badges for formal identification to pick up our paychecks. I went in to pick up my check and was told as they handed it to me that I had been changed to part time status and was no longer covered by the hospital insurance plan. I looked at my check and noted that an insurance premium had been deducted from my check, and asked them what was going on. I was told that they did not need a reason to change my status and that even though there had been a premium deducted that that premium was for the prior 2 weeks of coverage, so my insurance was absolutely canceled as of that day. My work schedule did not change until the following week, when I had been scheduled for just one day. This went on for another week and my next paycheck was so small I could not pay the bills. I spoke to my nurse manager to ask if I could be scheduled for weekends only and she said that would not be a problem. My brother had passed away the previous summer and he had been buying a piece of land with and old double wide on it. My sister-in-law had not been able to make herself return to the property since her husband, my brother had died there in the house, and had asked me if I wanted to take over the payments which were only 200 dollars a month, but they were over 8 months behind. They were buying from a private individual that had not tried to foreclose on the property. My husband and I moved to this property and began to pay the 200 a month and for a while no one said anything about the late payments. I worked one weekend after the move which required me to drive over 100 miles to get to Dade City and to stay with a friend while I was there, then return home Sunday night. When I called Monday to ask about my days to work the upcoming week my nurse manager told me that she really didn't need me to work, and maybe I should find other work closer to me so I could work more hours. I tried to work several places but my arthritic condition was obvious in my walk and I was unable to get full time work. I found a nursing agency in Macclenny Florida just across the state line from where I was living in Georgia. This agency provides nursing staff for the prisons in the area. They took my application and did the required background check on me. When the background check came back clean, they began to send me to the prisons to work. I could not work every day because my knees would hurt and swell too bad, but because they pay a decent hourly rate I was able to pay the electric and cable bills and my car payment and land payments. That worked for 2 years, but then my condition worsened to the point where walking 50 ft was too painful and I would have to sit down and get off my knees, even it that meant sitting on the ground. I tried to get the prisons that used me most and knew I was a good worker to hire me so I could get the insurance but that didn't work. My husband has been disabled since 1987, and receives Social Security Disability, about 900 dollars a month. When Medicare part D started we got him on a plan that takes 70 dollars a month out for his prescription coverage. Also the IRS is taking 140 dollars a month out due to my error of not counting his income on out taxes in 1999 and that made a huge difference in the taxes we owed because it was 100% taxable when added to my income, and we got a refund that year, so adding the refund to the taxes we owed means a huge repayment. I did not have a regular job when they decided to garnish my wages and then no income at all so they finally started deducting it from his SSD this year. His car payment of 344 dollars and our car insurance of 160 dollars comes directly out of his bank account every month to be sure they are paid. That has left us 250 dollars a month for electric, cable, gas, food etc. Cable may sound frivolous but we live so far from any town that we cannot get even one channel over an air antenna, and I know I am saying cable to simplify things but it is actually Directv, satellite service because there is no cable service in this area either. I have to have satellite computer service also because I do not have a telephone for local dial up because there is not any ISP that has a local dial up where I live, I checked all of them. The telephone here is Alltel and they have no competition so local service is 70 dollars a month plus 10 cent minute long distance just like it was before competition made a lot of companies have great long distance deals. My car payment is 377 dollars a month and am now 120 days past due, and they are taking it from me this week. I have managed to make 4 years of payments out of 6 and now I am loosing it. The phone is gone and the Directv is turned off. I am expecting the electricity to go next. My husband told me to go to The Dept. of Labor, Rehabilitation Division to see if they could help me so I could go back to work. They worked with him when he was first injured, but he was unable to heal enough to return to work. I contacted them and went to an appointment in Waycross, Georgia. I was told they could not give me any financial help, but they would send me to a doctor to see if they could help me physically to return to work. I went to see their doctor last August. After the reports were sent to the Rehab office, I was told that they will pay for me to have both Total knee replacements which is all they could offer me due to the extensive damage the arthritis had caused to both of my knees. I am sitting here now 3 weeks after my first knee replacement on my left knee. The Doctor said 3 months and he will do my right knee. It was the most painful surgery I have ever had, but I cannot wait to have the right one done and to heal so I can return to work. But I have nothing and am loosing everything while I sit here recuperating. I am crying all the time, I don't know how we will survive until I return to work. If there is anyone that is willing to help please, I would be so appreciative, I don't want to be homeless and have no where to go, I am scared and don't know what else to do. My family cannot help, I have asked them all. I found this website by accident today, so I am telling my story. Can anyone help us? Thank you for reading this. Sharron

Hi, I'm Kelly and I am a Nurse in Need of Your Help

I am a woman who has dedicated my life to helping others but sadly, I was injured at work and was told by the doctor to stop working. The doctors think that the damage to my knees are extensive but my employer says the injuries are unverified and has convinced the insurance company to hold off treatment. Even though I have been treated terribly by my employer and the insurance company, I still have faith in the caring and compassion of others. It is with this belief that I humbly ask for help. Although financial help is what I need so desparately, even a kind word or some advise will be greatly appreciated.

If you would like more information about me and the help I need, please click on my AidPage 'Can you please help a nurse in need?'

This is the first time I’ve every done something like this and it is difficult so please bear with me. I am Kelly and I am a Registered Nurse. I've spent many years having the opportunity to do what I love, helping others in need. I have been the caregiver and advocate for others who are suffering from illness or injury and also a liaison for family members who are caught in the painful, sometime powerless feeling of watching their loved ones go through illness or injury.

Now I find myself in the position of needing help. I was injured at work, but I am told it will be months until I receive any help financially. I have lost just about everything, except my home. And I am terrified I will loose that too. As a nurse I have faced emergencies with skill and professionalism, but I’m afraid I’ve hit a problem I am not able to fix. As difficult as it is for me to ask for help, I would imagine it is also difficult for someone to offer help to a virtual stranger, so let me give you a bit of insight into who I am.

I accepted the position as Director of Nursing at my current job. This facility's pay is very low with no health insurance or other health benefits, no sick time, vacation or holiday pay. This facility also had a reputation of doing very badly during state visits and has an administrator who is known for treating her staff poorly and letting the people in her care do without even some of the most basic of needs.

I had my work cut out for me. But I did not take the job because it would be easy. I took the job because I saw a need for my skills and expertise and I knew I could make a difference in the lives of the patients and the staff. I firmly believe that everyone, regardless of their financial or social status, deserve the best care available. And with the help of other dedicated staff members, I was able to create an environment that was focused on the well-being of those under my care. The patients and staff now had someone who was not afraid to speak up for them. Someone who put the patient's needs above all else and set the standard for other health care professionals in the facility. Having State Survey cite no deficiencies (the first time in over 10 years) was an added bonus. But the best indicator that I was doing my job was on the faces of those in my care. It wasn't uncommon for me to clock out at three but not leave until four. As I would make my way toward the door, patients would stop me and want to talk to me, share stories with me or just want to exchange pleasantries as I left and make sure I was coming back 'tomorrow'.

In my private life, I purchased a major fixer-upper. But it was love at first sight! By doing the renovations ourselves, we have saved thousands I’m sure and it also helps that we have been lucky enough to find things others don’t want and use it for this task. Even though this project has had to come to a halt since I’ve been injured, I know that the rest of the ceilings will be put up, we’ll be able to paint the drywall and have a tub to use down the road.

But in the meanwhile, I am in what seems to be a hurt at work nightmare as my boss and the insurance company refuse to get me the medical treatment I so desperately need and agree to give me temporary total disability. I am so lost, scarred and in so much pain. My hope is that there are people out there who would be willing to help me financially or by any other means available. My mortgage is $296 per month (one advantage of getting such a fixer-upper). And since we have been cutting back on bills, my bills are about $150 per month. Any help at all would be so appreciated. I could even make arrangements to pay back a loan if someone is willing to help in that way.

I have heard that adversity can bring out the best in people. I believe that with my whole heart. I’ve been privileged enough to see it during my career. Finding this website has really opened some doors for me and it is my deepest desire that once I am back on my feet again, that I return the favor by helping others in need.

Thank you so much for reading my story.
Kelly

Hello, I am Kelly and I am a Registered Nurse. I've spent many years having the opportunity to do what I love, helping others in need. I have been the caregiver and advocate for others who are suffering from illness or injury and also a liason for family members who are caught in the painful, sometime powerless feeling of watching their loved ones go through illness or injury.

Now I find myself in the position of needing help. I was injured at work and my employer is denying the validity of the claim. While this has to be worked out in court, which could take months, I have lost the only source of income for my family...me. I have no income and bills that will not wait. My biggest fear is that I will loose my home since I am unable to pay my mortgage of $296 per month and it is already overdue. It is so difficult to ask for help, but I would imagine it is just as difficult to offer help to someone you do not know so if I may, I will give you insight into who I am.

I accepted the position as Director of Nursing at my current job. This facility's pay is very low with no health insurance or other health benefits, no sick time, vacation or holiday pay. This facility also had a reputation of doing very badly during state visits and has an administrator who is known for treating her staff poorly and letting the people in her care do without even some of the most basic of needs.

I had my work cut out for me and I was up to the challenge. But I did not take the job because it would be easy. I took the job because I saw a need for my skills and expertise and I knew I could make a difference in the lives of the patients and the staff. I firmly believe that everyone, regardless of their financial or social status, deserve the best care available. And with the help of other dedicated staff members, I was able to create an environment that was focused on the well-being of those under my care. The patients and staff now had someone who was not afraid to speak up for them. Someone who put the patient's needs above all else and set the standard for other health care professionals in the facility. Having State Survey cite no deficiencies (the first time in over 10 years) was an added bonus. But the best indicator that I was doing my job was on the faces of those in my care. It wasn't uncommon for me to clock out at three but not leave until four. As I would make my way toward the door, patients would stop me and want to talk to me, share stories with me or just want to exchange pleasantries as I left and make sure I was coming back 'tomorrow'.

In my private life, I had my work cut out for me too. We had bought an extreme fixer-upper, but I fell in love with the house at first sight and knew, once the work was finished, it would be a wonderful home to grow old in. We have been doing all the work ourselves, but the work on our home has come to a stand still since there is not money to complete the projects still needing to be done.

Don't get me wrong. I do not mind living in our home that still needs so much work. I figured we may even be able to do without electricity if it comes to that, but I am terrified to loose our home. We would then be put out in the streets.

If anyone is able to help, I would be so greatful. And please, any help would be appreciated, no matter what it is.

Thank you for taking the time to ready my story.

Bless you all!

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Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.