The Jan 2015 winter storm

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I live in an area that does not get big storms and I've never had to make choices of driving in hazardous conditions to get to or from work. Or, being stuck at work for way past the time you are supposed to go home, but you can't abandon your patients. At some point you have to sleep, right? Do you get sleep breaks? How long and where do you sleep? How does nurse/patient ratio remain safe if half the nurses are sleeping?

I would be interested in hearing your stories as this storm develops, or hearing other stories from past storms. I'm fascinated by this stuff.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

When I worked in a hospital I always kept a "go bag" in my car to be prepared if I had to stay, or even go in the night before my shift to be sure I could be there. Just a change of clothes, book, magazines, etc. The hospital would have cots we could sleep in during breaks, provide meals, and access to showers, etc. It's not that bad. Part of being a nurse that you get used to in time.

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One thing I have found out is that this is when the nurses do not call out sick and if at all possible they WILL come to work to relieve you. I always did and so did my coworkers.

The supervisors used to buy us food, and one bad winter we got an extra PTO day if we worked during the storm. Bring any meds you may need. Bring a shovel in your car- you may need it to shovel a path from your car to the door if you have crappy neighbors. Cash.

You are probably in the best place to be. They have generators, heat, and food.

I'm a school nurse now. I'm off tomorrow. Don't hate me.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Bag kept in the car with a change of clothes, a couple days' worth of the prescriptions, shower stuff. My department ends up sleeping on litters in the preop/postop areas the night before if we think we won't make it in the next morning, but we have to be up, clean the litters, and remake them by 0500. It's amazing what patients will do to make sure they get to the hospital for their surgery- I've had some stay at the hotel across the street, I've had some that parked themselves in the waiting room once they realized it was leave now or we aren't getting in, things like that, so we OR people know that there won't be a lull because of a snowstorm. Not sure how other departments make it work or where any of their staff members would sleep. There is no extra incentive to stay the night before (not even free Tylenol to deal with the aches and pains of sleeping on those incredibly uncomfortable litters!).

When I worked in a nursing home, there were options, and they did take great care of us: paid for the entire time we were there, including when sleeping, air mattresses and toiletry kits provided if there weren't enough empty rooms for everyone, free food, and if you had a car parked in the lot, you would go out and find it shoveled out. If there was extra time, the grounds crew would even clean off cars! Loved that place, but wouldn't have paid enough as a nurse or I'd still have worked there after graduating nursing school.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

For the first time in my career, the hospital I am at is providing hotel rooms nearby for those who are scheduled to work tonight and or tomorrow.

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My facility lets us bunk up before/during/after as needed. Those who live the farthest have priority; if you can't get into work unless you come in before the storm, they'll put you up (we have a few rooms and dorm-style sleeping for staff for inclement weather). They'd much rather put you up early so you get to work on time, or have you stay over so you can do your next shift, than not and have you not get back in ;)

Me, I'm bunking down at work tonight....not a fan of dorm rooms, LOL, but it beats wrapping my car around a guard rail!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

For me, I always packed to be prepared to stay 12-16 hours; I always found a way to get home through public transportation, especially if subways were running.

I have also been picked up at home and brought home by van shuttle.

My facility is close enough that I will be able to get home efficiently, though it will take more time, I still won't have an issue getting home. :yes:

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Probably should mention that I also keep a Winter Bag in my car throughout the bad weather season. Contains sweats (sleeping/extra warmth), two changes of undies/socks and two sets of scrubs. Ditty bag with basic toiletries in travel sizes, a hair tie, and fill the side pockets with protein and granola bars. None of this freezes. so just stays put. When I know I'm going to be staying over, I put in my makeup bag; if I were ever unexpectedly stuck I'd still have my purse stash so that'd be ok too :)

Being ready-to-go is a bit of a mind-easer in and of itself. My car also contains a thick blanket and an extra scarf and gloves; I figure if I got stuck at the side of the road or something I'd have extra layers for warmth. That, and granola/protein bars! :D

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For all the inpatient staff at my hospital- If we are scheduled to work and there is a predicted major snowstorm, we are expected to sleep over the night before (for dayshift) or get there in the morning or prior to it getting bad and nap at the hospital (for nightshift). If we are back the next day or night, its a given that we will just sleep there.

Call outs for snow/weather are not tolerated.

Now! If we are done our shift and dont have to be back, you better believe every single person attempts to make it home so they dont have to sleep there unnecessarily!!!

Administrators usually are there with food (or at least hot chocolate/coffee) thanking us for coming to work which is always appreciated.

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.

I've never been stuck in a storm but I did do a 25-hour shift one day. I was already scheduled for a double shift, then the midnight shift nurse called out. Had I left I would have abandoned the patients because only one nurse worked the night shift. Fortunately, everyone slept through the night, except me. This all happened the day we set the clocks back an hour. (drug rehab center, not hospital)

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I admire the dedication of those staying at the facility but how do parents manage this?

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
I've never been stuck in a storm but I did do a 25-hour shift one day. I was already scheduled for a double shift, then the midnight shift nurse called out. Had I left I would have abandoned the patients because only one nurse worked the night shift. Fortunately, everyone slept through the night, except me. This all happened the day we set the clocks back an hour. (drug rehab center, not hospital)

Is that even legal? I mean, if something had happened, could you have been held responsible?

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