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.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

All I can say is I am glad law enforcement officers, paramedics, firefighters, doctors, and many, many others don't gripe about having to come to work during an ice/snow storm, hurricane, or other inclement weather. They just do their job. Yes, I would LOVE to stay home, but I knew when I went into nursing, that would not be the case.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I live in snow country, where people take great pride in their winter driving ability. I also work private duty, and some of my clients live in the middle of nowhere. I have no problem driving in snow, even without 4-wheel drive, though my next car will most likely be a Subaru Outback (the unofficial state car).

The closest I've come to a weather-related accident was 2 Saturdays ago, when a storm hit at the end of my shift. A 45-minute drive home took 2 hours because of ice and whiteout conditions. I drove 20 mph the whole way, and nearly went of the road at one point. The worst part- I didn't see a single plow or salt truck (thanks VTrans!).

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

I would think that this occupational hazard may have been considered before taking the job?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

In my experience it always seems to be people in four wheel drive vehicles. While this gives them more traction and stability in moving forward, they can't stop any more quickly than anyone else. They get overconfident, IMO.

Yup -- either big SUVs or big Pickup trucks. What I hate is the people in SUVs who get stuck because they don't know how to drive, then just walk away from their vehicles leaving others to have to try to negotiate around them!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Actually having an accident does not diminish the risk we take.

We are essential personnel. We are legally bound to report to work.

Check your facility's protocol. I have been escorted to work by police.

I have left three hours early to slip and slide in.

Whatever the way...we are legally required to report for duty.

[eeffoc_emmig]

Actually having an accident does not diminish the risk we take.

We are essential personnel. We are legally bound to report to work.

Check your facility's protocol. I have been escorted to work by police.

I have left three hours early to slip and slide in.

Whatever the way...we are legally required to report for duty.

I have never been told I'm legally bound to go to work. Wow.

[OCNRN63, RN]

"Bullied"? Going to work in inclement weather comes with the territory, IMO. Nobody's bullying me. The ED never closes, and somebody's gotta be there. If I am not willing to drive in because of inclement weather, how in the world can I expect anyone else to?

No, my patients aren't concerned about me at all. They're more concerned about their chest pain or belly pain or displaced fracture.

No, I am not willing to stay and work a double just so my co-workers don't have to come in. I work long hours as it is, and I have a life outside of work as well, and it's dangerous enough driving home late at night after working a 12 without adding an extra 12 to it.[/

b]If you are not willing or able to get to work in inclement weather, best to get a job that doesn't require it.

I agree. It takes a lot of gall to suggest your co-workers not only come in early, but work doubles just so you can stay warm and snug like a bug in a rug.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Private duty nursing is not always considered essential personnel. Hospital inpatient & LTC nurses usually are essential personnel. Most of the posters work in facilities.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

I just wish our hospital would treat us a little bit nicer when we have to come in during inclement weather. Maybe a meal pass or some clean scrubs for personnel who ended up unexpectedly having to stay over shift. Last year, we got hit by four major blizzards. The hospital had *no* bunking accommodations for night shift until the third blizzard. And then they made everyone leave by 11 AM that morning.

The new, expanded car service to get folks to and from work was also a joke. Cars didn't show up or were bringing people in 4-6 hours late to a shift. Workers who were depending on the car service to get home were almost universally stranded at the hospital.

On the flip side, I was able to drive home and it was kind of neat plowing through a totally empty, winter wasteland.

[eeffoc_emmig]

Private duty nursing is not always considered essential personnel. Hospital inpatient & LTC nurses usually are essential personnel. Most of the posters work in facilities.

I should have more clear in my previous post. I've worked private duty, M.D. offices and LTC facilities...I've never been told that ever in my nursing career.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Question your Board of Nursing.

[kabfighter]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned tires yet. As has already been stated, AWD/4WD will only help you move forward; winter tires (with the mountain/snowflake symbol) will help you accelerate, brake, and maneuver. Your vehicle only has four patches of rubber roughly the size of a human hand in contact with the road, and you want to maximize the traction between those tiny patches and whatever surface you are driving on. "All season tires" are not tested for traction like genuine winter tires are, they just have to meet a certain geometric pattern. Winter tires with the symbol below have deeper, more aggressive tread patterns and are made of softer rubber compounds that don't turn to hockey pucks when the temperature drops. They must also meet a certain standard of traction to be eligible for the mountain/snowflake symbol.