Upstate NY Nurse Questions ?

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Oct 20, 2011

I live in Buffalo...Get an SUV with 4 wheel drive and you will be fine :)

rr82080 · Oct 20, 2011

I also live in upstate NY and I say do it. You get used to the snow. You leave earlier in the morning so you get to work on time. Once or twice a year you get stuck at work late as the next shift trickles in cuz it snowed so bad. Every couple years you get mandated because of snow emergencies, but very rare.

TopazLover, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2011

I grew up in the mountains of NY. Attended college in a different area of the state. I spent 20 years in Alaska, and I do not like to be cold. One does not have to be cold when living in a cold area.

It gets cold. Dress for the weather. It snows, 4 wheel drive, leave earlier, plan ahead. Snow becomes ice on roadway. Get studded tires.

Accept the weather and you will find great rewards. Never let those fears make decisions for you. There are many legit reasons to do or not do something. NY State weather does not need to be one.

Accept that rarely will you be either unable to get to work, or unable to leave. Enjoy the moment either way.

DizzyLizzyNurse · Oct 20, 2011

I also am from Buffalo and I keep a snow shovel in my car year round lol. Keep blankets, extra food, and water in your trunk. My father has been caught twice now in highways that have turned into parking lots due to really bad blizzards. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to work. Learn to drive in the snow by doing donuts in a parking lot. I'm serious. That's how you learn how to brake and accelerate and deal with sliding on icy conditions.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 20, 2011

Generally, if you are a hospital nurse anywhere in the US, you are expected to work your shift no matter what the weather. If the weather is bad, then it is on the nurse to ensure they are there for their assigned shift, whether that means leaving extra early to make it there in time and/or staying over.

As they told me in nursing school, "nurses do not get days off for bad weather."

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 20, 2011

Keep in mind that those regions that traditionally have significant snowfalls have very efficient snow/ice removal systems in place. They will be much more competent than areas that do not regularly deal with snow.

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2011

And people who live in high snowfall areas learn quickly how to drive in it, therefore fewer accidents than the cities who get 1 inch and the city shuts down...

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Oct 20, 2011

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do, but I lived in Syracuse for a while and it............sucked. ( the weather, that is)

Erikadawn RN · Oct 21, 2011

Thank you every one for replying and the advice, I grew in Philly, and we shut down for the snow. My employers usually let us stay in advance, when we knew snow was coming. I was always in the group who nstayed or always made it into work. I am going to go up to Plattsburgh and then make my decision.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Studded snow tires, leave early, a sleeping bag and bag of salt in the car, flares, front or four wheel drive only, jumper cables, anti-gas-freeze in the tank.

I did fine. Lived in the Adirondacks for years. And Plattsburgh doesn't get hit with snow the way the western part of the state or the mountains do.

:)

Erikadawn RN · Oct 21, 2011

I keep getting all of these, it's so cold there and they get so much snow. I have been to Bear Mountain in the summer (summer camp nurse) and Albany for the CPNE and Excelsior graduation, but never in the winter. Plus Plattsburgh is hours from there.