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.
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
Dear Millennial,
If you work in a hospital and it snows, know that you will STILL have to come to work, because the patient's do not go home because it's snowing, your co-workers want to go home after their shift, and the people who did put forth the effort to get to work expect to have some help and for everyone else to get to work as well! Think of the needs of all of those people before your own!
Stop with the excuses, it's not your family's fault, or your co-wrokers's fault, you are an adult now, be responsible and have a little work ethic. If your car cannot handle the snow then you need a new job that will allow you to stay home during snow storms!
I had a decent car when I was your age (not four wheel drive though and I still made it to work with snow), no one gave it to me or handed it to me, I worked full time right out of high school and bought it myself. I worked full time throughout all my college years, mostly making about $8.00 and an hour, and mostly what I hear on this board is "I cannot work full time while I'm in school", " I don't want to work full time while I'm in school", or "I'm not ready to work full time yet". You get what your work for in life!!
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I drive 104 miles daily to and from work even in bad weather. Of course, I drive an Acadia SUV so it's a safer car. Perhaps it's time to trade up?
"Trade up" presupposes that 1) her car is worth anything 2) that she would qualify for a car loan and 3) she can afford a car payment and increased insurance bill that would entail.
In other words, not a reasonable suggestion for a broke 20-year-old
None of you preaching about work ethic would go out of your way for a job only paying $20 for an entire overnight shift. Actually, my advice is to sue this place for violating labor laws as it sounds like you had to work off the clock which is illegal and go get yourself a new car if you win.
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
She's not a Millennial
Technically she's right. A Millennial is someone who is born late 1980 to early 2000s. Guessing by her age, she was born in either 1998 or 1997, which makes her a Millennial.
If you work in a hospital and it snows, know that you will STILL have to come to work, because the patient's do not go home because it's snowing, your co-workers want to go home after their shift, and the people who did put forth the effort to get to work expect to have some help and for everyone else to get to work as well! Think of the needs of all of those people before your own!
Stop with the excuses, it's not your family's fault, or your co-wrokers's fault, you are an adult now, be responsible and have a little work ethic. If your car cannot handle the snow then you need a new job that will allow you to stay home during snow storms!
I had a decent car when I was your age (not four wheel drive though and I still made it to work with snow), no one gave it to me or handed it to me, I worked full time right out of high school and bought it myself. I worked full time throughout all my college years, mostly making about $8.00 and an hour, and mostly what I hear on this board is "I cannot work full time while I'm in school", " I don't want to work full time while I'm in school", or "I'm not ready to work full time yet". You get what your work for in life!!
Annie
She's been pretty clear she doesn't work in a facility. It sounds the job was closer to home health or home respite care.... she's there if the person needs her, which is probably why they get away with paying her 20 dollars for a whole overnight. The whole situation is just not worth it, in my opinion. But the OP now knows, come hell or highwater, she's supposed to be there. If she has any common sense she'll stay far away from these jobs in the future.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I am not sure where I would go and safely stay before the storm if there isn't somewhere for me to go? I did not slam coworkers for not taking a shift. I didn't expect anyone to unless they were already on campus and willing. Nor did I even want to ask around because I don't want someone else driving in bad weather, not just myself. But I asked around just in case. If ou had read previous comments, I did not call off. Nor did I "not even try", which was also in my original post. I think trying to drive there and not making it out of your neighborhood is an effort. Trying to be honest about being worried about your situation and see if your employer has any ideas or any way to help you to drom
point A to point B is not calling out.
Did you ask if any of your friends or coworkers who are closer to your work would let you stay with them? Did you ask if any of your coworkers who live near you could give you a ride to work? Or did you just conclude, for all of the "reasons" you've given that it was too difficult/not worth it to even try to get to your job.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Technically she's right. A Millennial is someone who is born late 1980 to early 2000s. Guessing by her age, she was born in either 1998 or 1997, which makes her a Millennial.
I try to always be very honest about everything; I thought that being honest would be better than lying, but I suppose maybe bending the truth is the better option here.
I agree with everyone else's response in regard to your original post. It seems like you just have some growing up to do and lessons to learn. Some learn them later than others, especially when feeling attacked by well meaning, good advice. If the advice is not taken, then you learn the hard way as you go throughout life.
As far as being truthful, I hear you and kudos to you. However, you do not have to bend the truth when calling off. You do not have to give the reason for calling off. You simply state that you are not able to come in that day. Period. That is the truth. If asked why, well, you are not required to tell them. You can say it is a personal issue. And again, its not a lie as it was personal to you.
Try taking advice in a less defensive manner. We can ALL learn from those older and more experienced than we are. Good luck with your studies, and make getting driveable tires a priority, please. For your safety and all of us on the road with you.
klone, MSN, RN
14,857 Posts
I certainly wouldn't walk 15 miles one way for a job that pays $20 a shift.
In some states, chains are not legal.