Are you going to work tommorow in the big storm?

mykrosphere · Feb 2, 2011

I'm sorry I wont risk my life for my job.

i totally agree at this point in my life...

i have driven before in storms (no 4wd ever), and will drive in the snow,

but....... in the end, i wont be a lot of good to anyone if im dead, and to be honest, my place of work has deteriorated so much lately that is just not worth it trying to make it in just to get treated like poo once i do get there.

the manager was trying to argue with me that weather was not an excuse to call in. i told her i was calling off anyway, so it should be interesting to see what the outcome is.

i never call off. and im sure others have called off as well today and will in the a.m. due to the weather.

we are mostly getting the brunt of it now.

(i work 7pm to 730am)

we take care of people 24 hrs a day 7 days a week 365 days a year.......rain snow sun.......whatever!

i think its okay to take care of ourselves once in awhile too, because no one else is going to.

and if that means being cautious (re: smart) or knowing limits and not trying to get into a dangerous situation just to go to work, then so be it.

i respect mother nature more than i do my manager.

Ellekat · Feb 2, 2011

I'm not scheduled tomorrow. I'll be in Thursday, no matter what. I won't volunteer, however. I used to do that, until I found out that while I didn't get time and a half because I volunteered to come in, others that they had to cajole to come in got time and a half. No more nice guy. But I do pack a bag of clean underwear, jeans and a tee shirt and personal items all winter. The hospital can find scrubs if they want me to work. If they want me to come in, they better have me scheduled or be willing to pay.

RNMom2010 · Feb 2, 2011

Heck no! I too work in home health and rearranged my visits so that I worked Mon and part of today and will go back to work thurs and friday.

kcksk · Feb 2, 2011

While I agree about some of this, my thought would be my co-workers who have worked a 12 hr shift and need some time off. I will do whatever possible to get to work. I knew the expectations when I became a nurse so I do what I have to do to not let my coworkers down.

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Feb 2, 2011

I'm in Missouri,..we had the "big storm" today. This was the first blizzard in 99 yrs for this area according to our local news. We are soooo not prepared for this much snow and cold! I was scheduled off today and am supposed to work in the am. The major highway I use is closed, and the National Guard is offering to pick up nurses in the city. I called about a ride from the National Guard and they aren't planning to go out into the county (where I live).

My car is rear wheel drive and fairly low to the ground. There is no way I can even get out of my drive with 14-20 inches of snow! I will be staying home tomorrow, but will offer to come in Thursday if the roads are open and allow some of my coworkers to go home. I've been stuck at the hospital for 3 days before and it sucks. As soon as I can safely make it in, I'll be there.

Blackheartednurse · Feb 2, 2011

The packing of the bag is so you don't have to risk your life for your job.

I'm a home health nurse and I drive from one house to another.

If my agency closes down "early" because of the storm,then why I should do any different ?

I'm not a martyr by any means.

Some people cannot afford to stay overnight in the hospital,ltc etc (they have kids,pets,etc)

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 2, 2011

With last Wed/Thur storm dumping 16 inches, my employers home health agency staid OPEN. Critical patients were visited. Expecting maybe 1/2in ice during night --drizziling just now as I pulled in from work.

We're just like tha mail service: Will be back in the AM. Only closing if state declares emergency.

If you take a job in a hospital/SNF/Rehab/home care environment in patient care, the professional nursing expectation is you will show up for work and plan accordingly if storm warnings issued. If that is not your expectation, then one should seek alternate work environment to not overly burden colleagues, management and patients who expect you to be there when scheduled.

hospicernsrgr8t · Feb 2, 2011

I work for a Hospice organization as a HH RN case manager. I have called all my pt's, none have serious symptom managment issues or needs today...all have enough medications and oxygen if we lose power. Will I go to work if a patient is approaching end of life/needs a nurse for symptom managment orders? Absolutely. When I worked for facilities, I was always miffed when other nurses used "snow days", leaving me to work over my shift nearly every time. I think that the profession requires us to plan for events like this, or at least when you call in to say you can't get out....you ask if someone can come get you there.

tridi · Feb 2, 2011

I am a home care RN as well. No patients to see tomorrow, not going in. :twocents:

coffeechic · Feb 2, 2011

I'm an HHA and I've rescheduled or found replacements that live much closer for all my clients tomorrow. There's no way I can get out tomorrow. The drifts are going to be bigger than my car and my husband's truck is already stuck down the road.

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 2, 2011

We're in the middle of the icepocalypse right now, but luckily I don't work until Saturday. I'll be there though.

careRN2000 · Feb 2, 2011

I was scheduled to work the night shift tonight, but luckily my employer called me and said they were concerned on how far I drive with how bad the weather is. But hell or high water I would have went in. I knew when I took the job that patients are cared for 24/7, meaning regardless of the weather or what have u, we are expected to be there. It sucks in times like these having to go to work with the horrible weather, but I love my job and thank goodness this weather isn't here all the time. :nurse: