Donna is a 28 year old nurse, working in an assist care facility with 75 beds. She is 155 centimetres tall and possesses a slim build. Her patients are persons with development disabilities, most who are bedridden and have limited abilities to communicate verbally. A few have the ability to walk with manual assistance. Many require manual handling to move from their beds to wheelchairs or use the washroom facilities and can demonstrate sudden  unexpected or erratic behaviour. Dealing with these situations, great physical demands can be placed on nursing staff.

Donna has enjoyed good health and enjoys playing with her two children, ages 5 and 3 as a single mom. She rides her bike to work most days or take public transit. Donna injured her back at work transferring a patient from their bed to a wheelchair. Donna's physician has diagnosed her with acute back strain. She has been going to physiotherapy twice a week, maintains an exercise program, including daily walking, that is supervised by her physiotherapist. Her physician and physiotherapist anticipate Donna will be able to return to work in about 4 to six weeks from the date of her injury.

1. Identify who you would want to consult with in building a return to work plan for the injured worker (Donna) and why.

2. Identify risks you see with Donna's job and identify how you would control those risks. Make any assumptions about Donna's job you would like, be clear in identifying those assumptions.

3. Identify if you would recommend Donna return to work 100% duties and 100% time or if you would suggest a graduated return to work and why you would make that recommendation.