Never driving to work in snow again

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in LTC.

Long story short: I live in Md and we go hit with some snow. I attempt to drive to work. I got stuck twice had , nearly drove myself into a ditch in the woods, and had to sit in my car for 2 hours with NO heat while waiting for a ride. I thank GOD and his angels for protecting me against seen and unseen car accidents. However, I will never risk my life like that again. BTW- I just brought brand new tires. No help. Until I get a 4 wheel drive I will be calling out.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dementia.

Snow sucks. I feel ya. I have a 45 min. drive to work and I had to travel in the recent snow. I have all wheel drive, though.

We always have the option to stay in the facility overnight. I work in Assisted Living. We MUST make it to work regardless of the snow. They threaten our jobs if we try to call out due to snow. Don't know if they really could fire us or not...

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I hear you OP. I got 17'' in my area of NJ. Before moving up north several years ago, I made sure I traded my Nissan Altima for an Explorer. Glad I made that trade as it has kept me so far through rain, snow, sleet.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

We got surprised in Texas last year by a 16" snowfall. My usual 45 minute drive took me nearly two hours. My vehicle suffered damage on the way that I am still finding. There's too many nurses working in that hospital who live only a few blocks from it for me to ever try that again.

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Long story short: I live in Md and we go hit with some snow. I attempt to drive to work. I got stuck twice had , nearly drove myself into a ditch in the woods, and had to sit in my car for 2 hours with NO heat while waiting for a ride. I thank GOD and his angels for protecting me against seen and unseen car accidents. However, I will never risk my life like that again. BTW- I just brought brand new tires. No help. Until I get a 4 wheel drive I will be calling out.

So Sorry you had to go thru this experience. Thank God you're ok. Let me say this, in my opinion , employers don't care!!! So if you need to....call out.. employer is not going to take care of you,your family, your bills or anything else. Anyone of us can be replaced. Employers should be more grateful towards their employees that make an effort to go to work. Glad to know you are safe.

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Snow sucks. I feel ya. I have a 45 min. drive to work and I had to travel in the recent snow. I have all wheel drive, though.

We always have the option to stay in the facility overnight. I work in Assisted Living. We MUST make it to work regardless of the snow. They threaten our jobs if we try to call out due to snow. Don't know if they really could fire us or not...

Just goes to show ,,, Employers Do NOt care about us. If you get hurt, your vechicle is in an accident, they will NOT pay for the damages, take care of you or your family or your pets. It's time that nurses start holding employers responsible how they treat nursing. If you can find another type of job..get out of there. They donot care about you.

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My attitude has always been--look after myself first, for if something were to happen to me, I have absolutely NOBODY else to lean on. If I wreck my car in a snow storm, I can't replace it because there would be no way for me to get to work. If I break my leg or back or get hurt in a car accident, I still won't be able to work, which means no shelter or food or any of the baic needs for me. Instead of the facility loosing a nurse totally, they can live without me for one day called out. So what's the solution? SAFETY first.

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Specializes in LTC.

Good to year you are ok. Seems like they would rather have us dead than called out due to the snow.

I'm very fortunate to have a job that is only 10 minutes away, and a kickass 07 Santa Fe with AWD that just whips through the snow, slush, ice, sand, freezing rain whatever it may be falling from the sky.

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Don't know if they really could fire us or not...

Yes they could in my state because it's a "right to work" state. So I have the right to also not risk my life and get fired. :)

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Specializes in ICU.

I must live int he same place in NJ. I am a nurse manager now and see the other end of the spectrum. I have 4 wheel drive and I live about 25 min away as it is and I made it today. since it was expected snow, my facility offered sleep accomodations. The Security guard also picked people up so they didn't have to worry about theur cars.

Some people just live too far. I lived in the mountains of NJ and when it was my shift and I waS even pregnant, they came to get me. I probably wouldn't have done it again being pregnant and being in the mountains, but someone has to take care of the sick even in the snow.......

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Specializes in ICU.

Oh, and I don't believe our employers don't care about us. I care very much about my employees. I guess they don't care if they don't provide transportation or sleeping accomodations, but those who provide that so you can arrive to do your job care.

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Specializes in (future hope) Genetic Nursing.
Long story short: I live in Md and we go hit with some snow. I attempt to drive to work. I got stuck twice had , nearly drove myself into a ditch in the woods, and had to sit in my car for 2 hours with NO heat while waiting for a ride. I thank GOD and his angels for protecting me against seen and unseen car accidents. However, I will never risk my life like that again. BTW- I just brought brand new tires. No help. Until I get a 4 wheel drive I will be calling out.

Oh yeah OP I get ya. I had to drive to work last night (non-nursing job) and it was not an easy go. Actually I'm pretty use to driving in the snow (I'm a born and breed New Englander) and know how to play with my gears so I can drive/stop safely. But it not just me I have to watch out for. I don't know how many people I saw fish tailing and having to pull out of spins. It can be really scary out there.

Well since your writing us here. We know your safe and that's really what matter. And to be honest if it between you job and your life (fired for calling out), well....... there are always other jobs.

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