The nurse who has worked at a hospital for twenty five years suffers a disability secondary to a work-related accident and requests accommodation. The nurse is offered a position for which she is qualified, but in an area which she has no experience. Ethically, does the nurse's new position have to provide the same high salary as the old position?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationale 1: Legally this is correct, but is not the most ethical option.
Rationale 2: Reasonable accommodation does not require this legally. Ethically, it is not appropriate to offer a person with no experience a salary that may be higher than those with whom she works.
Rationale 3: There is no legal mandate to continue the salary, but ethically the nurse's seniority and loyalty to the hospital should be considered.
Rationale 4: Since the nurse has no experience in this position, it is unlikely that she will be "productive" for some time. This is not a good way to establish salary level.

The Nurse Who Has Worked at a Hospital for Twenty