Snow Days....

SlightlyMental_RN · Jan 11, 2011

I'm going to stick my toe in the water here, and maybe land my foot in my mouth. Although I appreciate those of you that plan days in advance, sleep in hotels and on stretchers (I truly am thankful and think you're great), this just isn't feasible for everyone. Some of us have other obligations, be it elderly parents or small children that depend on our being around. I have worked a double shift before when it's been feasible for sick coworkers, so yes, I know what it's like to pull doubles. When anyone can, it's the decent thing to do to pitch in when they're short-staffed.

And for those that say that you should just drive through whatever nature throws at you...I just don't buy into it. My work does not give a rat's patootie about me and my life. Why should I possibly kill/injure/put myself through heroic measures for someplace that can fire me at will with no just reason, just because I'm getting older or cost them more as an experienced RN? They sure aren't going to give me a medal for it. My children and husband definitely aren't going to be consoled if I die out there on the highway while trying to be "the good employee." My job is not worth my life, nor is it my life.

Summers_Off · Jan 11, 2011

Here's the thread a PP talked about.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-news/washington-hospital-center-459176.html

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2011

I work at a place that actually CARES about our safety, they specifically told us NOT to go out today and to work from home instead. Obviously I don't work in a hospital, but if I did, I'm one of those crazy people that values my life more than my job. Fired=no job....but also dead=no job.

I really wish it would stop snowing so I can get out though, I hate being stuck inside.

tablefor9, RN · Jan 11, 2011

At the risk of sounding hard hearted, here goes: please keep in mind that I live 35 miles from my hospital, and have commuted much more than this. I choose to live in a rural environment, but I have to bear the consequences of that choice. It's not my coworker's place to cover for my housing preferences.

We aren't talking abt flash floods and tornadoes, here. We're talking snow, ice, and crazy Southern roads. This can, and should be, planned for. It's not like the winter storm snuck up on anyone.

I've been on hurricane teams for years, and had to get there pre-storm and ride it. I've been in snow storms in the not-so-deep South and had to get a shower at work because I had no power at home.

When you're a nurse, you know going in that you are going to have to leave the hubby and kiddos and fido, too, to take care of other people. Them's the breaks. It's what we signed on for. And it's not fair to the patients or to the nurses who *also* have kids and hubbies and fidos that you're snug in front of the fireplace and they are taking up your slack.

canigraduate · Jan 11, 2011

Y'all can be as snide to the OP as you want for not being suicidal, but I live in the South and I know how bad it is when we get snow.

It's especially bad right now. The roads suck, there's black ice everywhere, and you can't walk without slipping much less get a car anywhere without sliding.

Not to mention all the people trying to drive who have zero experience driving in anything besides rain. Put it all together and it makes for life-threatening situations.

And before you start getting all holier-than-thou about the patients, there are people already there who can stay over and take care of them. Not fair, true, but fair and alive sometimes conflict. Personally, I would rather stay unharmed and not join the patients.

As for planning ahead, YEAH RIGHT. When you get God to tell you what's going to happen, let me know. I'll believe you much faster than I'll believe our weather people. This is the 2nd actual snow this year out of over a dozen predicted. This is actually an improvement over what usually happens, which is 30 snow storm predictions over the winter but just one flurry.

OP, I'm sorry you're in this situation and I hope your NM is a lot less judgmental than some of the nags on this thread.

PAERRN20 · Jan 11, 2011

To the OP- I sympathize with you. I live in a state that is snowy from November-April. I have driven in snow for years. I own a 4x4. I take it slow. But does that mean the snow doesn't scare the he!! out of me? No! I have spent many a sleepless nights worrying how I was going to get into work the next day with all the snow. It doesn't matter if you live in a snowy climate or live in the south, a major snowstorm is scary.

A dead nurse is a useless nurse!!

HappyBunnyNurse · Jan 11, 2011

I hope your NM is a lot less judgmental than some of the nags on this thread.

Sadly, these holier-than-thou attitudes are all too common on this board and in nursing in general. Vent about a bad assignment....they've had much worse. Management problems......their bosses are meaner. Hard teacher or class.....you should have been in their program, then you'd know hard. And they endure all this while taking up for us slackers. I guess the rest of us should just surrender our licences now because we will never live up. :yawn:

tablefor9, RN · Jan 11, 2011

Sadly, these holier-than-thou attitudes are all too common on this board and in nursing in general. Vent about a bad assignment....they've had much worse. Management problems......their bosses are meaner. Hard teacher or class.....you should have been in their program, then you'd know hard. And they endure all this while taking up for us slackers. I guess the rest of us should just surrender our licences now because we will never live up.

Really? And I guess on this thread the old "walked 5 miles uphill in snow both ways", too, right?

Nursing school is hard, we get that and can be compassionate; we just want you to understand that this is the norm and not you being picked on. Manager on your case? Sometimes they are unfair. And, sometimes, they're just caught between nurses on the floor and upper administration and we all know what rolls downhill.

The fact is that we're all opinionated and we're all assertive (or we'd better get that way quickly if we want to thrive in nursing). Mostly, the holier than thous you speak of just don't appreciate the whining. And, hey, how 'bout you show up to work when you are on the schedule, who is against that? Because nobody wants to pull a 4th or 5th 12 in one week because you just couldn't figure out how you were going to make it the *one* time the weatherman was right.

Kareylea · Jan 11, 2011

Thanks for all the comments (on both sides of the issue).

I work in Huntsville, yes and while I understand the roads are clearer there they weren't here. But I took a look outside a minute ago and they actually plowed the interstate so maybe I can out tomorrow! I also called...14 pts on the floor! They actually have one extra nurse!! So no one was stuck doing an 18 or a double.

One of my nurse buddies has a 4x4 and her husband was one of the nuts out doing donuts in the intersections. (Yes, I told her he was crazy.). She did say in a similiar situation he might be able to come get me. I'll just have to find other connections like that in the future. I've been commuting for 20 yrs and this is only the 2nd time I couldn't make it in and that was when I had a job at NASA.

Thanks for everyone that commented and for all my fellow snow buddies in the South, stay warm!

UpinawayRN · Jan 11, 2011

Living in the Midwest, the weatherman isn't always right, no matter how late you stay up watching for any changes. Surprises happen and I wish we could all drive 4 wheel drive trucks and have family rush over to take care of our little children. Or have family in the same state for that matter. We are all trying to make an honest living in a stressfull career. Let's not get to the "if I can do it and you can't, then you are inferior" . I am all for a hospital winter weather emergency budget to get nurses where they need to be. Nurses feel guilty enough when they truly can't get to work. God Bless

StrwbryblndRN · Jan 11, 2011

I agree upinawayRN. Every situation is different and there are times when there is nothing that can be done. 2nd time in 20 years? Sound like it must be bad.

Side note: We had one nurse who said should could not get to work due to snow. Plus a few others. Arrangements were made to pick them up. And they were told they would get home too. No problem. All worked out. Till they found out they were not goin to be driven home. Obviously the nurses will not be taking that risk again

shiccy · Jan 11, 2011

It's always amazed me how folks are not able to traverse slightly snowy areas. In most states as a healthcare worker you are fully allowed to traverse any street because you're considered a public servant.

In snow prone areas, the hospitals plan ahead and have emergency response plans. We have volunteers with 4x4's, SUV's, and snow mobiles that will pick up staff if needed. Also, if the roads are terrible, the hospital will ask for those that are willing to stay overnight. I've packed my bags a few times to stay overnight, and maybe they should think about asking people to do the same there.

Probably the thing she was most angry about is that people like to use things like this to call off. People like to use these types of things to call off, when the travel isn't really the issue ... peoples issue is sloth and not wanting to work any chance they get.

I obviously don't know you as a person, so I would never say this is the issue in your case, but I'm sure that your NM has had many calls off for that exact reason. THIS is why she was angry. Don't take it personally, but you can totally thank those that live

Tips and tricks for getting around in the snow:

If you're having difficulties, putting your car into "overdrive off" or 3rd gear will help your traction immensely. It uses more gas, but it keeps constant traction to the wheels. It also slows your car down with the engine so you are not using your brakes, but slowing quicker than you would via coasting with overdrive on.

Do not exceed 35 MPH on STRAIGHT roads.

If you're trying to go UP a slippery hill, use 1st gear. Every car has these options, you just have to find them.

Don't forget to use the defrost button on your car (it's usually the setting for your vents that looks like a vent. Don't confuse it with the A/C). This is important in cold because condensation will start to build inside the cabin from your body heat in the extreme dry weather. They suggest NOT putting it all the way "hot" - if you've got a micro stone fracture in your windshield the temp change is enough to crack it right down the middle.

Almost every car has a rear defrost. It looks like a back windshield with lines through it. That's for use if you have ice or packed snow on your back.

Put kitty litter in the trunk in case you get stuck. If you DO get stuck, put the kitty litter a little around your wheels and then some tracked up back to the road in a straight line. This will increase traction.

Always have >1/2 a tank of gas - ALWAYS. If you wreck, don't leave your car and alternate turning it on and off for 20 minutes at a time to get some warmth, but not to waste the gas you have until help arrives. This is, of course, if your engine is working properly post accident. If you start smelling toxic fumes (oil burning, etc) you might be in trouble...

Finally, buy a scraper. It seems dumb to have in the south, but even a small one can save your butt in a pinch.

I guess my suggestion for those afraid they'll get in a wreck, I encourage you to at least try it out. Snow, especially if it's fresh, is not THAT bad. You actually have pretty good traction when it's like that. It's only dangerous if it has ice under it (if it rained and quickly froze and then snowed), or if it was compacted into ice. It's the same as everything else - if you tell yourself you can't do it, you won't be able to. Start out with a positive attitude, start out with extra time to get there, and suck it up. It's not as bad as it seems.