Instructions: Review the following case study.

1. Critique each of the five answers to the questions posed and add you own thoughts to these answers

Ms. Kovacs had worked as a Registered Nurse Supervisor (charge nurse) for three years at Hope Hospital. She has a bachelor's degree in nursing and advanced training in pediatric, cardiac, and emergency nurse procedures. While running after a patient, she tripped and severely injured her right knee. Knee surgery was performed, but it was determined that there was substantial damage to the muscles, tissues, and nerves in her injured knee. The knee is presently unstable, and Ms. Kovacs is required to wear a knee brace for support. All of Ms. Kovacs's medical expenses were paid for by her employer. She has been released by her physician to return to work. However, she cannot lift more than 10pounds and will require a sedentary type job or a job with the ability to sit and stand asneeded but at no more than two hour intervals.Ms. Kovacs has also been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) andhaving an anxiety disorder. She has flashbacks to the accident. In addition, she hasdeveloped depression because of the pain and her resultant limitations.Hope Hospital has offered to return her to work at a lower paying admission clerk andfile review job. Her charge nurse job paid $35.00 per hour plus regular overtime. Thenew job since it does not require direct patient care pays $25.00 per hour and has minimalovertime.Please answer the following questions:

6. Can Hope Hospital terminate Ms. Kovacs? Yes, particularly if she refuses to accept the alternate job she is offered.

7. Can the hospital terminate Ms. Kovacs if she refuses to accept the alternate job? Yes. Work and employment are not a social or human service program. There is no entitlement to a job. Worker compensation coverage is available for Ms. Kovacs. But if she cannot or will not work then can she can be terminated.

8. Is Ms. Kovacs entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits? Yes. She might request retaining for a job consistent with her physical work abilities. For example, using her nursing skills she might want training in business and office so that she can go into hospital administration.

9. If Ms. Kovacs returns to work, will her Worker's Compensation benefits cease? In most states she would be entitled for a worker compensation settlement based on her percentage of disability even if she returns to work. This can include a monetary settlement for the percent of disability as well as ongoing medical treatment for life related to the effects of the disability.

10. If Ms. Kovacs returns to work and exacerbates her injuries to the point of being unable to continue working, will her employer still liable for her injury? As an exacerbation of an old injury, she may be entitled to worker compensation benefits based on the percentage of disability resulting from the exacerbation. If she is now working for a different employer the prior employer would still be responsible for the initial injury but if this is determined to be a new injury, the current employer would be responsible.