[unknown99]

Remember, you can always get another job, but you cannot replace your children!!!

[nursewendy2000]

Originally Posted by Jolie

Just another example of a nurse trying to be conscientious and alerting her supervisor to a potential problem in advance, and then being screwed over. It is sad that you would have been better off (employment wise) to have called in sick at the last minute!

You know your children better than anyone, and if you are not comfortable leaving them alone, then DON'T DO IT!

The dirty little secret here is that it is your supervisor's job to staff the facility, NOT YOURS! Let her get her sorry butt in there to take a patient assignment.

I once quit a job in a SC hospital for similar reasons. I wonder if it's the same facility!

Thank you Jolie, Triage and everybody whose been understanding about me being worried about my kids. Yep, I didn't get to talk to the DON but the administrator picked up the phone and when I got done explaining all of this to her, her response was "I'm shocked to hear you say this". She also said that they don't except call-ins for predicted weather and that if I have a problem tomorrow then I'll have to call in tomorrow. Basically, "I'm going to ignore your call in and let the weekend staff AND the residents suffer."

[llg]

I think there are few people who believe you should put your children in danger -- even people who insist you come into work. Nurses need to understand that when they take a job that includes the responsibility for the well-being of other people, that obligation can not be ignored every time the weather gets bad. We have an obligation to the patients we have promised to serve. We have an obligation to make plans so that we can be available when an emergency happens. Hospitals make harsh policies because too many nurses don't take that obligation seriously.

The original poster certainly does not sound like one of those people who abuses the call in option. She sounds like a responsible person. If more people were like her, there would probably not be a need for such harsh hospital policies.

That said ... it illustrates the need for everyone to make a couple of back-up plans ... to have MORE than 1 or 2 childcare options ... to get to know the families of your children's friends ... to make friends within the community ... your neighbors, your church, etc. so that we can call on people to help us when we need it. If the original poster had friends she could call on in this difficult situation, she could keep her children safe and keep her job at the same time. Losing her job and having a bad employment record is not good for her children either.

Everyone with children (or pets) should be asking themselves, "What kinds of back-up plans do I have for my children?" "What would I do if there were a community emergency and I was needed at the hospital for an extended period of time?" "How can I keep my children well-cared-for if I am needed to serve my community in an emergency?" If you have a couple of back-up options to choose from, you can avoid the type of situation that started this thread.

I have worked along side many nurses with children over the years -- and been through many community emergencies. The best nurses have thought about these issues ahead of time and have multiple possibilities to choose from. They don't wait until the last minute to wonder "Gee, what about my kids?" They plan ahead. They manage to both great nurses and also great mothers and fathers. The 2 are not mutually exclusive. You can be both.

llg

[oneLoneNurse]

Originally Posted by nursewendy2000

I have been with the same company for 4 years and have NEVER called out b/c of snow/ice storms. This weekend my two kids ages 16 and 12 will have to be alone while I'm at work and its a pretty sure thing I'll be snowed in for the whole weekend. My work is a 45 minute drive and I just feel like it's dangerous to leave them alone. I'm a single mom and usually I have a back-up plan and a second back-up plan but these have fallen through. I called and talked to my DON (the staffing nurse was fired - no warning ) and she insists I have to come in no matter what. Again, I have NEVER called out on account of the weather...this is more of a child-care issue. We used to be able to bring our kids to work but that is now against the rules. In fact, besides people coming in to work not knowing they'd been fired there have been a lot of other things going on with this new administration I don't like. My question is, do I quit without giving a notice or do I let them fire me? I've been with them for 4 years and that is a large chunk of my work history.

I know its not something you want to do, BUT in this instance it might be the best thing to do. That way you can keep an eye on them.

[z's playa]

I'm on the fence with this one. A 16 year old and a 12 year old are definatly old enought to be by themselves unless they are disabled in some way. I'm sure the DON thinks the same thing. M'aybe go through some emergency scenarios with them and alert the neighbours that your children are home alone and to check on them periodically. Nurses to my understanding are needed in bad times especially so it isnt really unreasonable to be expected to show up in bad weather. Plan plan plan!

[Tweety]

SIx and 12 are too young to be left over a weekend by themselves. For a shift perhaps but not the weekend. If there is no possible way for you to leave them with someone else, you gotta put your kids first.

To answer your question, I wouldn't quit. I would do what I had to do and face the consequences.

I agree, it's important for the next time to have a plan.

Good luck.

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by 3rdShiftGuy

SIx and 12 are too young to be left over a weekend by themselves. For a shift perhaps but not the weekend. If there is no possible way for you to leave them with someone else, you gotta put your kids first.

To answer your question, I wouldn't quit. I would do what I had to do and face the consequences.

I agree, it's important for the next time to have a plan.

Good luck.

16 and 12 . . .

I am bit torn. My kids were/are very self-sufficient and at 16 and 12 I probably would be ok with leaving them for a shift but for a whole weekend I'm not sure. The truth is I have friends and family here that could help me out and the other truth is I only live 1 mile from the hospital.

I'm not sure what to tell you to do.

steph

[z's playa]

Really? 16 is too young? We have 16 year olds here in nursing school away from home and everything. Even with emergency numbers...neighbours looking in on them...a pre set plan of stuff to do in case of emergency? What not to do...parties etc? I guess its just me but I feel parents underestimate thier children's maturity and sense of responsibility. Children are coddled way too much but in the end...you know your kids. If you feel they can't handle themselves.....get a babysitter? But then again..the babysitter may be the same age.

[rnmi2004]

16 & 12 are not too young to leave under normal circumstances...but the OP is facing potentially severe weather. What will her children do by themselves all weekend if the power goes out? We've had our power knocked out a couple of times this winter and brrrr...

I hope everything turns out for the best, Nurse Wendy!

[z's playa]

All I know is up here children are often left alone with clear instructions on what to do in case of power outages. I was one of them. We had neighbours who would look in on me and my sister and we had a phone that was not electric in case of emergency.

Now there are cell phones for such emergencies.

Should a power outage occur, the neighbours would come over or we would just do what we were told. Break out the flash lights and bundle up. Our parents really wouldn't be able to do much more than that anyways.

I'm not saying there isnt cause for concern, its just my view and my experience as such a child in that situation.

good luck.