Well, I want to say first that I fully understand that hospitals expect you to be at work no matter what the weather.
I always go. I go for other people. That's why I have a four wheel drive. However, sometimes there is bad timing. Such as major snow that falls heavily and rapidly.
I got up, took a shower, got in the car to go to work. I swept it off the night before, got gas the night before, washed my uniform and had it pressed in case the power went out.
I warmed up the car, went off my driveway...moved about 15 feet and it slid into the yard.
The vehicle would not move.
So for the first time in years...I don't call in sick but maybe once a year. Never for weather.
I have PTO right? Lots of it because I never call in.
Get this...hospital is not allowing me to use my PTO for that day.
Freaking ridiculous. So if anyone else makes an attempt and wrecks. Call the news right after the tow truck. The general public should know that hospitals don't care about the safety of their employees. So this crappie about the fact they do? They can stick it as far as I'm concerned.
Any place a nurse works could care less about our safety. For some places it's money, for some it's patient care, for some it's just "come in or we'll fire you!" I've had them all. Is it fair, no. Is it right, no. It's, unfortunately, part of the job. It shouldn't be, but it is. I have watched cars wreck in front of me, hitched rides on fire trucks and ambulances to get to work, and now own a four wheel drive vehicle. My 80 year old father drives nurses when the weather is bad. He loves driving in snow. I HATE it. But I love being a nurse. Risk my life for work.....well, it's a question I ask myself when the weather forecast calls for any inclement weather. I have been an RN for 30 years, and have worked in hospitals since I was a candy stripes at 13 1/2. I think about what the police officer said on "Hill Street Blues": Let's be safe out there...It's all we can do, I guess.
Any place a nurse works could care less about our safety. For some places it's money, for some it's patient care, for some it's just "come in or we'll fire you!" I've had them all. Is it fair, no. Is it right, no. It's, unfortunately, part of the job. It shouldn't be, but it is. I have watched cars wreck in front of me, hitched rides on fire trucks and ambulances to get to work, and now own a four wheel drive vehicle. My 80 year old father drives nurses when the weather is bad. He loves driving in snow. I HATE it. But I love being a nurse. Risk my life for work.....well, it's a question I ask myself when the weather forecast calls for any inclement weather. I have been an RN for 30 years, and have worked in hospitals since I was a candy stripes at 13 1/2. I think about what the police officer said on "Hill Street Blues": Let's be safe out there...It's all we can do, I guess.
Really great, sane, sensible, polite, articulate post. Thank you.
You must be confusing me with someone else - I don't recall writing anything about my facility or its policies. I don't know how asking a question is "hostile", but if you took it that way I'm sorry.
ETA: after reading the posts following your reply to me, I have to say that nasty is as nasty does. I'll be happy to ignore you if you promise to return the courtesy.
Yes too much nastiness out there. Take care and have a nice day.
For some reason I would not want a nurse caring for me who told me to suck it up. I would be reporting that nurse. I don't care how good they might be at taking vital signs, etc. Patients don't deserve that kind of disrespect. That is rude and unethical and bad nursing.
No one is being nasty.....I think you were just expecting everyone to agree with you......AND as you can read, they don't. No nastiness implied (rolled eyes) but if you don't want a job where the life and death of your patients are dependent on you being at work then go find an administrative nursing job. There are plenty out there. Medicaid or some type of insurance. Or, some home health jobs might be a good fit for you. But you can't have it both ways. You can't be a lifesaver and a loafer at the same time.
No they were not expecting you to agree. It is perfectly okay to disagree but being polite about it would be valued. The poster is right about the sheer nastiness of many of the posters. Oh well, maybe they just don't have that basic skill or were not raised with good manners.
Bad weather requires a different approach, if you can safely get to work then by all means go but if your safety is at risk stay home. It is those in management, responsibility to plan for inclement weather and it should and can be done without putting anyone's life or property at risk. There should be a plan in place at each organization how they will staff if no one can come in. Most storms are predicted so staffing should be verified ahead of time with possible scenarios if relief staff cannot come in.
springchick1, ADN, RN
1 Article; 1,769 Posts
And there it is.