Snow emergency excuse?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

so, here in nyc, we're expecting a big one this weekend. my friend is working tomorrow night, and is anticipating a problem getting in to work already (they're saying it's going to be at it's worst during her commute in).

so here's my beef: although she is my good friend, she lives 35 miles from work, as do many of the others (some live further than that). i, on the other hand, live about 5 miles away. every winter, i hear about how these people can't get to work because of the snow, or their mother, father, husband or dog will not let them drive in the snow to work. am i the only one who feels that we, as health care professionals, have an obligation to get to work?? and also, isn't this something you need to consider when you decide to take a job that is so far from your home?? now, i'm talking about nyc/long island, where there is a hospital every 5 miles, not the boon docks (where some of you may be). and i'm also not talking about a school nurse job or a doctor's office, where no one would be there anyway if the weather is bad. it's a hospital, where sick people are, and will stay, until they get better.

i just can't bear to listen to the complaining anymore, especially when i don't agree with their rationale. i can get into an accident on my way in, too. i can't not say anything (i'm just not that type), so i know i'm not going to be popular when i get into work tonight. speaking of tonight, i'm working overnight. so my friend calls me up and says "they might start holding people over before it snows, so you might have to stay". my shift ends at 8 am, and the snow is supposed to begin in the afternoon. i can't imagine that they would hold the entire night shift over in anticipation for a storm.

Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Some of my hospital co-workers are horrendous about planning ahead - honestly I wonder what cave they are living in to apparently NOT hear that inclement weather is on the way. Some fail to leave any extra time to slow down on the roads and arrive late, best case scenario. Others do simply call off.

In a major recent storm, the hospital powers-that-be apparently told ALL hospital administrative personnel that they had to be on the job - weather was not an excuse and those who thought they couldn't drive in it could call and would be picked up and brought in. The attitude from the top was it's kind of hard to get your front line people in when the generals aren't even there.

The house super also had at her disposal a number of 4 wheel drives to go out and fetch folks who were using weather as a reason not to come in. Only problem was they tried to back out on the implied other end of the bargain - getting same folks HOME at the end of the shift. Understandable carrying-on ensued and four wheelers somehow appeared to tote staff home. One nurse volunteered to come in from an outpatient affiliate to help out for four hours, and then was mandated to stay another four, "because there's no one else." Mind you, she had already worked 8 hours before she got in.

Bottom line, there needs to be better planning from both top and bottom.

I was pleased to see that mgt was pressured to be there (altho lord knows, keep 'em off the floor; at least at my facility they're more harm than help lol.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Definitely not a good excuse for not showing for work unless the person is snowed in and the roads are closed and, if this is the case and they know ahead of time that this may be a possibility, they need to make arrangements that will enable them to be there.

In the event of a major disaster we are required to report to work. A major disaster around here would be an earthquake. Of course we wouldn't just leave our family unsecured, but we are still requried to report. During a major earthquake, the phones are not working properly, that's why the plan is to show up. If you're not needed, you're sent home.

For me, this is a hard because I'm also part of my city's emergency response team. But work has to come first.

So I really don't see what the difference is between snow and possible dangerous roads following an earthquake (not to mention dangerous buildings).

I agree with you. I feel healthcare professionals are obligated to show up unless it is a detriment to the health or well-being of the individual.

So you're saying that after a major earthquake, buildings have fallen down in to the street, bridges have collapsed, water pipes a burst eveywhere..and begalli has manged to get into work dispite all odds....through chaos and mayhem...you could actually be sent home after you got there?...To go through that treacherous journey again? :rotfl:

I'm sorry..the mental picture made me laugh. but yes I do see how you need to be there in an emergency. It is a hospital after all. :chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

I know z, crazy eh? But you know what, it's okay, earthquakes big enough to cause problems like that are rare, rare, rare. (finding wood to knock on).

It's never happened (wood again) but what would end up happening is that many many people would be trapped in their area and unable to show up. So the people who do make it in more than likey will be used and not sent home. Guaranteed.

I will simply put on my cape, spin around a couple of times and be there in no time flat. No problem. :p

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it is great that you respond, snow doesn't get these responses. People just don't answer their phones if you call,.....Maybe there should be a better snow policy, like you should call in during a Level 2 emergency or ......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

Oh boy, doncha just LOVE those snow emergencies! UGH! :rolleyes:

"I can't come in to work cuz I can't get out of my driveway." Well, then, you should have salted the driveway or parked on the street. I had a co-worker who told me she couldn't understand these people from the South who don't know how to drive in snow and ice. She came from Chicago, where you learn to travel in it on a normal basis.

Here in Georgia, if there's rumor that a flake of snow might fall, they break out the salt trucks and snow plows, and it's all they talk about on the news. And of course, there's the obligatory camera footage of people in the supermarket stocking up on milk and bread.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in many.

The last really bad storm I was working for the county jail. The sherrif called on his friends in emergency management and many of the staff caught rides down the highway with plows. When the plow we were in hit the end of it's section of the highway, we just sat and waited for the next crew to meet up with us and go the next section.

We also stayed over in a nearby hotel and were carted back in the next morning.

What fun! :stone

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

I have called in 2x in 18 years for snow. If it is way too horrible and the highways are closed then I wouldn't go. Our hospital sees how many people call in due to weather and if it is a certain percentage then it is declared a snow day and we don't accumlate sick points.

Only fools, nurses and policemen go out in bad weather :p

Oh and one of the times I called in I couldn't even get off our street to the main street....there were drifts up to the windows and even my big truck couldn't get thru.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oh boy, doncha just LOVE those snow emergencies! UGH! :rolleyes:

"I can't come in to work cuz I can't get out of my driveway." Well, then, you should have salted the driveway or parked on the street. I had a co-worker who told me she couldn't understand these people from the South who don't know how to drive in snow and ice. She came from Chicago, where you learn to travel in it on a normal basis.

Here in Georgia, if there's rumor that a flake of snow might fall, they break out the salt trucks and snow plows, and it's all they talk about on the news. And of course, there's the obligatory camera footage of people in the supermarket stocking up on milk and bread.

Regarding the comment on "you should have salted the driveway or parked in the street."

It gets so freaking cold here that salt....is redered useless. We get so much snow all at once....the salt is just buried. As for the street parking...there are many by-laws that say your car will be towed during the winter because the snow plows plow the road at night and if your car is there it hinders the work. they don't have time to go around it. And I guess the desire to plow THROUGH your car is too great to bear so they just tow it. :chuckle

As for getting out of the driveway AFTER these snow plows have plowed the road? Well...30 cm of snow.....plowing road for 2 blocks...it gets p-r-e-t-t-y high at the sides of the road...basically making it impossible to get out without a snow plow of your own..and if its mixed with ice? Well forget it. We're talking boulders!!!!!!!

So there are many people who call in for a snow emergency including shutting down schools and actually telling people to stay home from work. :D

gotta love a snow day!!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In the past 10 years, I have lived more than 20 miles away from the hospital where I work and both houses have been down the hill from the only way out of the neighborhood. I drive a car, not an SUV, and have always made it in to work. The strange thing is, all of us that live further out seem to make it in without any problems. The ones that call in are the ones that live within 5 miles of the hospital. Figure THAT one out.:rolleyes:

When we are expecting bad weather, the hospital does allow those that want to stay over to do so. Staff are also reminded that until enough of the next shift shows they are not to leave.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home care, assisted living.
Regarding the comment on "you should have salted the driveway or parked in the street."

It gets so freaking cold here that salt....is redered useless. We get so much snow all at once....the salt is just buried. As for the street parking...there are many by-laws that say your car will be towed during the winter because the snow plows plow the road at night and if your car is there it hinders the work. they don't have time to go around it. And I guess the desire to plow THROUGH your car is too great to bear so they just tow it. :chuckle

As for getting out of the driveway AFTER these snow plows have plowed the road? Well...30 cm of snow.....plowing road for 2 blocks...it gets p-r-e-t-t-y high at the sides of the road...basically making it impossible to get out without a snow plow of your own..and if its mixed with ice? Well forget it. We're talking boulders!!!!!!!

So there are many people who call in for a snow emergency including shutting down schools and actually telling people to stay home from work. :D

gotta love a snow day!!!!!!!

You brought up some good points! Hard to argue with those...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Depending on what area you live in that excuse might work.

My fav is "I cant drive in the snow...I'm afraid to drive in the snow..etc."

How about having someone drive you? It is your responsibility to get to work. This is coming from staff that live less than 5 mile some within a mile!! That's what God gave us feet for (these are young and health staff!)

Last year..seven mo pregnant working a 3-11 I packed a bag...just new I would have to stay over.

A few years ago our maintance man would pick the local girls up..no excuses with his 4X4!

I already got my call to come in today! Not sure if I will yet :uhoh21:

Hey my mail man is here already...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Long Term Care.

I was one of those that always lived within 5 miles of work and never missed a day due to snow (and also ticked by folks who lived even closer calling out let alone the ones who lived greater then 20 miles away who couldn't come in!!)...but then again I don't mind driving in snow...it's the other idiots I am concerned about! the ones who drive like the roads are dry and don't allow enough car lengths between them in case someone slides or stops fast...

I was driven in by a National guard hummer one year and a jeep another year ...hospital got me in but I was on my own getting home the next day!...left a real bad taste in my mouth after that.....I stayed overnight once in a LTC facility in a bed that had just been vacated because of death. (not real pleasant for me)... but in over 20 years in the hospital I don't remember ever once even a meal or any kind of compensation in return from the facility in appreciation......just another reason I left it all behind.....:>)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment