Nurses have joined fire fighters and construction workers to protest against the NSW WorkCover overhaul. Jessica Grewal reports.

A 26-year-old NSW nurse who suffered spinal injuries while attempting to resuscitate a patient in 2008 has joined hundreds of nurses and other workers to protest the government’s planned workers’ compensation cuts.

Emily Orchard was protesting against the Liberal NSW’s WorkCover Reform Bill which passed through NSW Parliament on Thursday.

Last minute changes provided protection for Emergency Service workers including police, fire-fighters and paramedics but not nurses and doctors.

Under the new WorkCover changes, compensation payments will be reduced after 13 weeks rather than 26 weeks.

The state government also plans to dramatically reduce the amount of time workers can receive financial support for medical expenses.

Premier Barry O’Farrell said the WorkCover changes were the only way to recover from a $4.1 billion deficit left behind by Labor at last year's state election.