Have you ever had an accident driving to work in a snow storm?

[Alnitak7]

My heart really goes out to the children and families of all those caregivers who are bullied into driving during this time of dangerous driving weather.

Their patients who sometimes do not really need help during the storm are strangely enough on a list of the ones they're coerced into driving to. These patients are afraid for their caregivers.

If you have to work during this time, may I suggest leaving before the bad weather starts and arranging a double shift so your relief nurses do not have to go out.

May I also suggest that nurse managers think about what they would want if these nurses were their own children or parents and find alternatives that do not involve threatening them into driving on a dangerous road.

Knowing how to drive on ice does not make anyone more safe.

[Alnitak7]

Some took offense that I listed sociopathy, but if someone sets you up to risk life, limb and property and they won't help you make any plans to avoid this then I have to wonder about their conscience.

I also listed it because of having been threatened by ignorant drivers who tailgate at ten feet or nearer on slippery roads.

[Alnitak7]

No kidding!!!

Um, really? Police showing up to force someone to work? I don't think so. As essential personnel, certainly we are obligated to do everything safely possible to get to work or try to get the shift covered, but there is no profession I'm aware of where you break the law by not showing up. That's just ludicrous.

It isn't the police, it's the State Board of Nursing and D.H.S.

[liketheairport]

Some took offense that I listed sociopathy, but if someone sets you up to risk life, limb and property and they won't help you make any plans to avoid this then I have to wonder about their conscience.

I also listed it because of having been threatened by ignorant drivers who tailgate at ten feet or nearer on slippery roads.

Still not sociopathy. Jerky, still not sociopathy. Foolhardy, still not sociopathy.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

It isn't the police, it's the State Board of Nursing and D.H.S.

The state board of nursing and DHS could care less if you don't show up for work....unless you are in home health....then you have to be sure their care is covered. If a local hospital can get the PD to make you go to work it's their business. I have heard sporadic stories of facilities doing this however I have never seen one do it.

[DoeRN]

Some took offense that I listed sociopathy but if someone sets you up to risk life, limb and property and they won't help you make any plans to avoid this then I have to wonder about their conscience. I also listed it because of having been threatened by ignorant drivers who tailgate at ten feet or nearer on slippery roads. [/quote']

If you don't like driving and feel unsafe because of other drivers then move somewhere that has mild weather. I lived in state that had snow every winter. I worked as a nurse in a level 1 trauma center for a very long time. I prepared myself ahead of time to report to work. But after skidding off the road 2 days in a row (granted I'd driven in snow for over 17 years) and slipping and falling 3 times while using my snow thrower on my driveway. Also being stuck at work for over 24 hours because the roads were too bad to drive on because of a blizzard and a subsequent ice storm I decided enough was enough and moved to a state with a milder climate. Especially if you fear for your life driving in inclement weather. Either that or move close to work where you can walk to work if necessary.

If you choose to live in a state that has bad weather as a healthcare worker then expect to have to battle the elements.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Some took offense that I listed sociopathy, but if someone sets you up to risk life, limb and property and they won't help you make any plans to avoid this then I have to wonder about their conscience.

I also listed it because of having been threatened by ignorant drivers who tailgate at ten feet or nearer on slippery roads.

No one is "setting you up to risk life, limb and property." You made the choice to accept a job 50 miles from your home in an area of the country that you know has bad winter weather. No one is telling you that you HAVE to drive home, just that you are not allowed to sleep in a bed designated for a patient or shower in a patient's room. You are an adult. If you don't feel safe to drive home, don't drive home. Call a cab. Go to a hotel. Ask a co-worker who lives nearby if you can crash at her place until driving conditions improve.

You tagged sociopathy in your OP in which you made no mention of other drivers. I don't know where you live but that's not sociopathy either. I'm more likely to notice if someone is NOT tailgating me than someone who is... since that's just how people drive here.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Wow...I have been gone for almost a week and this thread is still around! Good lord.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Some took offense that I listed sociopathy, but if someone sets you up to risk life, limb and property and they won't help you make any plans to avoid this then I have to wonder about their conscience.

I also listed it because of having been threatened by ignorant drivers who tailgate at ten feet or nearer on slippery roads.

You should read the criteria in the DSM V before you throw around psych. diagnoses.

[Biffbradford]

Sure, I'll work a double so you don't have to drive in the snow ... BUT, then you have to work a double so I don't have to work on the 4th of July. Sounds fair to me!

[liketheairport]

You should read the criteria in the DSM V before you throw around psych. diagnoses.

THIS. This exactly.

[sharpeimom]

I live in a snow belt and always have, therefore, have always driven defensively. Before I became disabled and drove may miles in deep snow, I always drove a Jeep. They aren't accident proof but you don't get hurt as badly as you might in a smaller car. My parents gave me a Jag XKE as a college graduation present. It had a fiberglass body and I think if I'd ever had an accident in it, I'd have been killed.

I think if you drive in our winter weather long enough, you drive very carefully, if for no other reason than you've seen too many gory accidents reported on the eleven 'o clock news almost every night or know someone who had an accident or was hit. Two weeks ago,

my husband was driving down a main street in town with a posted speed limit of 15 mph, when some wingnut came down the street going the opposite direction and plowed right into him. The police estimated the other guy was going between 55-60 MPH. My husband walked away merely shaken up. The wingnut was transported to the ER by ambulance. Our Jeep Cherokee lost its back bumper, (it just fell off!) the tail lights were missing, he just missed a direct hit to the gas tank. Grand total? $9,045! All covered by insurance except $200 deductible, but we've had a loaner since then and will until the end of the month.

The jerk who caused the accident gets a new car because his was totaled. End of rant!

My husband grew up inn South Carolina and was familiar with snow only to the extent that he had skied in the Alps when he was living there as a grad student. I feel classes should be given by the state police that help new-to-snow drivers. When you learn to drive in a place where the snow is measured by the foot instead of by the inch, you learn early to use caution.

One hospital where I worked sent a school bus for every employee when it snowed heavily and that was great!

[Alnitak7]

The state board of nursing and DHS could care less if you don't show up for work....unless you are in home health....then you have to be sure their care is covered. If a local hospital can get the PD to make you go to work it's their business. I have heard sporadic stories of facilities doing this however I have never seen one do it.

From what I know of it, the facility gets fined if they're short-handed. If it's a private care client in a facility and you don't show up, then I do not know how that works.