Snow Days....

[Kareylea]

Well I'm in the South and I'm a floor nurse. We had a little winter storm in and I had to call in today because of the weather (all the roads are closed) and got officially reamed by my boss. Apparently, I was supposed to go in yesterday (I was not called until 8 am today) and to have planned ahead. But Saturday I had an outing with my daughter that I knew would take a day to recover just because I knew I had that extra day off so I really couldn't have worked safely anyway! I'm so frustrated and upset.

What was my responsibility here? How much of this is my fault what was I supposed to do about it if anything? I live 40 miles away and there's bridges and mountains and I can't leave my kids without a mom for ANY job! I made it in the last 3 bad weather days. One day I drove an area 5 minutes before a tornado and 15 minutes behind another (I got caught between storms).

I really really hate feeling guilty and inconviencing anyone but how much can my job ask of me?

Am I going to get fired because of this? I'm not even sure if the roads will be open tomorrow!

Has someone been in a similar circumstances and have some suggestions I would really appreciate it.

[CaptKris]

The "get here early" thing for snow is always troublesome. Get a 4wd and put some of these on it.

My Grand Vitara Suzuki 4wd made it through 12" of snow.. some hard packed with ice underneath up mountain gravel roads with these on.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

All the suggestions and reassurances on here are great, but I reckon you need to call your NM back, and tell her everything you have told him/her on here.

You need to ask them what is EXACTLY expected of you re weather and no, she shouldn't take out her displeasure on you. Not a one of us can control weather, she knows that. We have major floods up in Queensland Aust at the mo and I bet none of the NMs there expect THEIR nurses to go into work.

Unless it's written in ur contract u must attend, or is a state law or something, I would be questioning him/her. One of the NMs at an agency I worked for got mad when I couldn't go to work cos I'd put a tire (a car tyre) in to get re-done the day b4, & when I went to pick it up the next day, it wasn't done so I couldn't go to my shift. I drive on many back, country roads and have shredded more than one tire, so I always need a spare. I did say to the manager you can pay for a taxi but she refused. I had a big argument/discussion with her re her and my responsibilities, but some situations you just can't control.

Call her back and ask to have a frank discussion with her. Is she an intimidating person? Then write down what you need to say so you don't forget, stay calm and stick to your guns - you have rights as an employee you know (remind her of that!) She can't treat you how she wants, and she can't sack you because of the weather! No court would hold that up. And also ask how far in advance do you have to be prepared? Your NM can only ask employees to be prepared reasonably in advance. We all factor in weather and travelling times for jobs.

I would confront her and have it out with her, then you will at least feel better.

And if she is so concerned re staff not being able to get to the hospital, why don't they subsidise some hotel accommodation so you don't have to travel home (or help with a babysitter) something like that? I'd be asking her all these questions.

[alovejones]

Op,

I do not have any advice to give you, just wanted to express my sympathy. I truly feel your pain. I live in Alabama as well and it seems that only people that are from here can actually know what you're talking about. Our governor declared a state of emergency. News officials said this is the worst storm that Alabama has seen in 15 years. We are no where near equipped for this. All major businesses, schools, clinics, grocery stores, almost everything is closed! Not to mention the major highways are shut down. Countless accidents have occurred and 2 fatalities reported so far. Also, insurance companies do not have to pay if you have an accident while driving in an area that is closed. I just wanted to say be safe if you do decide to try to travel in these conditions.

[MERCEDES674, MSN, RN]

I think that a lot of people dont understand that southern states shut completely down with snow and hurricanes. Honestly, i wouldn't be driving forty miles in the snow to nobody's job. What if you get killed out there, they arent going to send your family a flower. If anything they would probably be still trying to get you to take patients. Other people may be loyal to their jobs not knowing that the job could care less about them and thrir safety. You can find another job but you cant find another life! The weather reporters are always wrong about snow in the south so it is not unusual for us not to prepare. We were supposed to have have had snow yesterday and didn't. That is why I work agency so I don't have to deal with this.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Respectfully, to the poster from Aust.

As far as not getting sacked for missing time due to weather. This is the USA, and the OP is from the Southern states, where most states are Right to Work. This means few to no unions, no contracts, etc. This means that one can be fired for pretty much ANY reason with virtually no recourse. There have been numerous cases of FL nurses being fired for not reporting for work during hurricanes, even some that were called in on their scheduled vacation. And in the past year, 16 nurses at a unionized DC hospital were fired when they failed to report, after we had several feet of snow fall.

The rules are different in the USA than Queensland.

I doubt if the OP will be fired, but she may have it reflected on her evaluation.

I used to work in GA and they did not excuse absence due to snow. Someone has to care for pts, and nurses in many places are expected to plan ahead for these contingencies.

Do I agree all the time with this.... no, but most healthcare employers do have that expectation.

[Mulan]

You weren't scheduled until tonight and she wanted you to come in yesterday?

Were they going to feed you and give you a place to sleep?

Or did they expect you to work yesterday and today/tonight?

[Mulan]

i guess i'm wondering who is supposed to be taking care of the patients while you're sitting at home with your family being safe.

management???

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

At my last workplace the expectation was that you stay in the nearby hotel so to be certain to be at work as scheduled. The hospital arranged discounts, provided transporation b/w the hotel and hospital, but they didn't pay for the room which made some people angry. in a few cases, people opted to share rooms to save money. To tell the truth, it was a total blast, lol!

[JennNJ83]

I think if they wanted you there bad enough they would have made suggestions or assisted you in getting there, if it's as bad as you say, major roads are closed, etc, and it is literally IMPOSSIBLE to get there, what are you suppossed to do? I understand what it's like to live in the south, and to have people not be able to comprehend how its possible that something may be impossible, but when your state is unequipped to deal with the weather conidtions it can get pretty ugly. I hope everything works out :)

[wooh, BSN, RN]

You weren't scheduled until tonight and she wanted you to come in yesterday?

Were they going to feed you and give you a place to sleep?

My job does. It's crap cafeteria food and sometimes a stretcher, but there's no excuse not to come into work because of the weather. Especially when it's been predicted for well over a week. I've slept at work many a time. It's not comfortable. My back hurts when I'm stuck on a stretcher. I've taken a few changes of clothes and a few extra microwave meals along with everything I need to camp out there, many a time.

AND I'M IN THE SOUTH. So I know exactly how the entire world shuts down. And I'm an hour away from work (on a good day) so I know all about going over the river and through the woods.

But someone has to do the work. And if you don't show up, then those of us that did plan ahead (sometimes DAYS ahead, yes) are stuck working harder because you aren't there.

Does it suck? Yes. But if you want a job that shuts down along with the weather, then don't work at the hospital.

[HappyBunnyNurse]

i guess i'm wondering who is supposed to be taking care of the patients while you're sitting at home with your family being safe.

probably the same people who would take care the patients while you are out recovering from injuries sustained in an accident trying to get to work. or maybe the people who would cover while your coworkers attend your funeral. there is a difference in going a few miles and going 40 (or 60 as i would have had i gone in). i'm more than willing to stay if i'm there but i'm not gonna risk my life or health to get there. living in a rural area has a lot of disadvantages and the main one for me is the long commute.

[casi, ASN, RN]

WEather happens. We had one bout of massive snow fall this year. I had every plan of getting up early, digging out my car and taking it slow to work. I'm from MN and that's just what we do. Normally streets are kept pretty darn clean. Little did I know that while I was sleeping the snow got worse than expected and even if I were to dig out my car I couldn't get through the foot of snow in the street. I felt terrible, but what could I do?