How to get to work in a snowstorm?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi. I was wondering what your hospitals policy is on snowdays? Ours doesn't have one and I live 1 1/2 hours from work. The highway was actually closed and I was still expected to come in?

Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

The bottom line is-- WHO is going to care for the patients. I'm not talking about being a martyr. Some of those patients will literally die if there is nobody there to take care of them. If everyone there started work at the same time, eventually they are all going to drop!

The CEO would have to pass my house on his way into the hospital. How about he offers to give me a ride in?

It would never happen cause evidently he doesn't own snow boots.

Who could possibly be more essential in the chaos created during a winter weather related staffing crisis?

Practice what you preach! Your staff learns from your example. If the staff sees administration making concerted efforts during snow storms (yes, even if they happen on nights and weekends) they will surely make more of an effort to get to work.

The bottom line is-- WHO is going to care for the patients. I'm not talking about being a martyr. Some of those patients will literally die if there is nobody there to take care of them. If everyone there started work at the same time, eventually they are all going to drop!

Then the nurses who work in administration can care for them. Oh wait, they are all at home, cause they didn't go in early or drive in during the blizzard.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Perinatal, Float.

A few years ago when Portland, OR had a deep freeze and black ice over several inches of snow, some nurses got stuck at work, unable to get home, so they slept at the hosp and got up and went back to work the next day. some of us were able to get to work with 4 wheel drives and husbands at the wheel, I think that others offered to pick up those who couldn't drive or didn't have a 4-wheel. it was also very quiet on the maternity ward with no visitors (peace for the new families!) and no scheduled inductions, etc. all elective stuff cancelled! I kind of enjoyed the quiet!

Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
snow mobiles are illegal on many roads and highways as they tear up the road. This is not always an option.

As I specifically stated, I wasn't suggesting anyone ride a snowmobile into work. I was just relating a story. And the minister of that church died last year, so for those inclined to call the cops, you missed your chance.

Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
As I specifically stated, I wasn't suggesting anyone ride a snowmobile into work. I was just relating a story. And the minister of that church died last year, so for those inclined to call the cops, you missed your chance.

My next-door neighbor when I was a kid was a nurse, and I recall several times that guys on snowmobiles would come and get her to take her to work. At the time, I thought it was pretty cool. :D

I think you made the right decision in your situation. You must be pretty dedicated to commute 3 hrs per day on a regular basis.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Thank for being one of the reasonable people.

reasonable = sees-it-my-way

Thing of it is, though, no job may be worth someone's life, and i'm not talking about martyrism here, but, for me, the fact that i live 30 miles away from my job, it's not the hospital's problem. It is my responsibility to get myself to work. I agree with traumaRus who spoke about planning. If you hear a bad weather report, leave before the storm hits etc.

I chose to work at a hospital, i chose to live 30 miles away. It's my responsibility to get to work.

Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

And if you have kids, it's your responsibility to make sure you have contingency plans. I'm a bit tired of the old "but I have kids" card being played in these situations. (And holidays, and off shifts, and weekends...)

reasonable = sees-it-my-way

:roll :chuckle :coollook: You said it, Marie.:smilecoffeecup:

I live in the midwest - I have 4WD, I drive slowly, and I leave early. Back when I did 12 hr. shifts at the hospital, during a bad storm, they had a block of rooms for us to stay in if we wanted to, so I'd had an overnite bag packed and ready in my car. The only time I called off was during a complete whiteout.

During a recent storm in town, 4 out of 7 cna's called off - I was able to replace one of the call off's with an agency staff. It was funny - the 4 call offs all lived in town, and the ones that showed up lived out of town.

The one thing is, when you drive in bad weather, you can't drive like you do every day of the week!

Banditrn:

I agree what you and others have said about driving in bad weather and being safe. I am not orig from a snow area; when I have lived in areas where I had to drive "slow and safe" it amazed me how drivers would pass me like bats out of hell or ride my @ss! Oh, my anxiety! I wouldn't be surprised if my knuckles clutching the steering wheel contributed to my arthritis sx.

+ Add a Comment