Hi everyone. I joined this page to ask this specific question. I used to be a PCA, and am currently a college student. During my winter break, I was home and there was a snow storm that made visibility terrible, and the roads were not even plowed. I was scheduled to come in that night for an overnight, and had told my employer I probably wouldn't be able to get there due to the snow over 24 hours in advance. I messaged every single other person that worked as well, and everyone either did not want to or were even further away than I was. I had to end up just saying that I could not come in. I drive a very old sports car that has BALD tires. When I even hit a patch a slush doing 5 mph, I will still slide. Living in a town with all hills that was unplowed and had ice all over, I couldn't even get out of my driveway, and knew there was no way my car would make it there. My family did not allow me to take their four wheel drive vehicles, or even my brothers car which is at least a little safer. I do not live at school, so I didn't have anywhere I could stay beforehand to make it to work. I ended up being fired, and was obviously upset. I got yelled at for being "unprepared" and "irresponsible", as if I could have just snow shoed there or had any other option. This is NOT my full time job, it was simply for patient care hours. I did NOT take on this job thinking I would have to do this, nor was it ever mentioned to me. There were people on campus that just did not want to go in and cover me. Is this really my fault? I hate losing a job and a reference, but I can't control what car my family gives me, or that I have no viable option. I'm an undergrad, not a nurse knowing fully well what I have to do. Also, on overnights you get paid $20 for the whole entire night. You don't get paid hourly. I don't think totaling my car or getting hurt or killed is worth any amount, much less $20.
I think it's better to be prepared and actually get to work when you're expected.
I work a per diem nursing job that requires 24 hours notice for calling in sick (???). That way they can get a head start on finding someone. It actually helps if you're starting to feel sick, but not sure, although it feels very wierd to me.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I know I will get browbeat for this, but I feel that the OP is being bullied. She's a kid, give her a break people.
A kid is someone under the age of majority. 20 is old enough to live on your own, old enough to serve in the military, old enough to vote, and old enough to function as an adult. What's sad is that parents aren't teaching their children what they need to do in order to function as the adults they become.
Maybe the OP wouldn't have been able to get to work that night. But calling out 24 hours in advance shows an unwillingness to look at other options.
I agree with this 100%. OP needs to lose the "it's not my fault" attitude. It is absolutely without a doubt 200% your fault. Take responsibility for your actions. Your parents and boss are not required to take care of you. You needto develop some problem solving skills for any job you have in the future. Nobody appreciates an entitled brat
She does have problem solving skills. She called ahead of time. These types of jobs use and discard people. The administrators should have had a plan for this weather in the event that an employee couldn't make it in.
Nurses are considered essential personnel. The OP most likely would not qualify as essential in this situation.
Nurses are not supposed to be on the road if officials say so. I've been in disaster areas and plans were made ahead of time. Those who were scheduled to work, came with extra clothes and stayed. The rest of us had to be prepared to relieve them as soon as the ok was given.
Nurses are not supposed to be on the road if officials say so. I've been in disaster areas and plans were made ahead of time. Those who were scheduled to work, came with extra clothes and stayed. The rest of us had to be prepared to relieve them as soon as the ok was given.
Maybe in your state but in mine and a lot of others nurses are exempt from travel bans.
In Florida, we expect our nurses to show up, even during hurricanes. No excuses.
That's not true! You go before the hurricane and stay. I challenge you to state the hospital name where you drove in DURING a hurricane. With all the lights out, trees down and flying bits and pieces, what hospital did you drive in to? The first bands do not count.
Maybe in your state but in mine and a lot of others nurses are exempt from travel bans.
You cannot drive impassable roads. Maybe I'm losing my mind here, but can someone post an official statement where nurses are permitted to drive themselves in during the midst of a blizzard or hurricane? I really would like to see that. Or if there is an official notice from your employer stating the same thing. Then and only then will I understand some of the comments on this topic.
Well,I would be the first to admit i would call out during bad weather.
If you die on the roads,will a job really matter?
As a private duty nurse,my days going beyond for the families is long over. The families could take care of their loved one.
Patients that require extensive care or power in the home often go to the hospital during dangerous weather. We always recommended it for our patients. 1-3 days in a safe place beats the alternative.
My granddaughter, already 22, shows a similar lack of problem-solving skills. Although she has been warned by both myself and her mother, she continues to leave for work with only around 15 minutes to get there, using Lyft or Uber. She says she arrives with five minutes to spare. We tell her what about when the driver gets there late, or gets a flat tire, or there is a detour due to police action (not unheard of in our area), etc., etc.? She insists that it is stupid for her to arrive 10-15 minutes early for her shift. Since she will be fired the second time she is tardy or does not go to work, we see it will only be a matter of time before she loses the job and of course, it will most likely be someone else's fault. That 'entitled' attitude permeates everything.
You cannot drive impassable roads. Maybe I'm losing my mind here, but can someone post an official statement where nurses are permitted to drive themselves in during the midst of a blizzard or hurricane? I really would like to see that. Or if there is an official notice from your employer stating the same thing. Then and only then will I understand some of the comments on this topic.
I'm not going to post my state's law because I value anonymity but it is written very clearly and just because you have difficulty believing it does not make you right. In my state we are considered essential personnel and are exempt from travel bans. If we are stopped we simply show our badge and we are allowed to continue. And yes, this has happened to me. I'll also add that even though my state experiences a great deal of snow and ice I have never encountered a truly impassable road. I HAVE encountered roads that I could only travel at 2mph and I plan for that.
I'm not going to post my state's law because I value anonymity but it is written very clearly and just because you have difficulty believing it does not make you right. In my state we are considered essential personnel and are exempt from travel bans. If we are stopped we simply show our badge and we are allowed to continue. And yes, this has happened to me. I'll also add that even though my state experiences a great deal of snow and ice I have never encountered a truly impassable road. I HAVE encountered roads that I could only travel at 2mph and I plan for that.
I was not trying let you reveal your identity, as I believe you are not the only nurse in your state. I just don't understand some of the comments. And I asked for the official statement, because I want to understand if there is a real expectation to travel in a blizzard or hurricane. We are not emergency workers. Essential and emergency do not equal the same. I will try to find the information for myself.
I was not trying let you reveal your identity, as I believe you are not the only nurse in your state. I just don't understand some of the comments. And I asked for the official statement, because I want to understand if there is a real expectation to travel in a blizzard or hurricane. We are not emergency workers. Essential and emergency do not equal the same. I will try to find the information for myself.
Yes there is a real expectation because patients require care regardless of whatever disaster is occurring around them and the same nurses cannot safely take care of them 24 hours a day for days on end. This is why they are essential. You are correct it has nothing to do with emergencies.
Skippingtowork
342 Posts
I work a per diem nursing job that requires 24 hours notice for calling in sick (???). That way they can get a head start on finding someone. It actually helps if you're starting to feel sick, but not sure, although it feels very wierd to me.