Inclement weather conditions...mandatory to work?

Nurses General Nursing

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How do you more seasoned nurses deal with this?

I'm in the path of hurricane Florence, scheduled to work this weekend and honestly don't know what to do.

I love my job and appreciate my patients, but my job sent out an email saying we have to be to work. I have a child to think of, so I'm clueless. I'm trying to wait until it happens to see if the conditions are actually drivable but at the same time plan ahead.

So what are your thoughts on Nurses having to chose between their jobs and safety of themselves and family??

Sour Lemon

5,016 Posts

How do you more seasoned nurses deal with this?

I'm in the path of hurricane Florence, scheduled to work this weekend and honestly don't know what to do.

I love my job and appreciate my patients, but my job sent out an email saying we have to be to work. I have a child to think of, so I'm clueless. I'm trying to wait until it happens to see if the conditions are actually drivable but at the same time plan ahead.

So what are your thoughts on Nurses having to chose between their jobs and safety of themselves and family??

What would you expect the nursing staff to do if your own child were hospitalized?

8Lovenursing8

42 Posts

What would you expect the nursing staff to do if your own child were hospitalized?

I get your point but my job doesn't even have a plan on how we should prepare. If it were me, what good would it be if the nurse ends up dead or injured?

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Go in ahead of the storm. Stay 'til it's over.

I've spent 3+ days at work due to a blizzard. It sucks, and I left two littles at home with their dad. Nurses are 'essential personnel'. We are needed.

Wuzzie

5,116 Posts

But shouldn't you be the one with the plan on how to prepare? Seems to me that if you live in a hurricane prone area trying to figure out what to do 24 hours before the storm makes landfall when you've had ample time to get things in place is not the best approach. And now you're in a pickle. You'll have to do what you think is best for you and you're child but you may have to sacrifice your job to carry that out.

Aunt Slappy

271 Posts

Specializes in hospice, LTC, public health, occupational health.

You became a nurse and choose to live in a place where this is a known risk, much like snow in Iowa. Go to work.

8Lovenursing8

42 Posts

But shouldn't you be the one with the plan on how to prepare? Seems to me that if you live in a hurricane prone area trying to figure out what to do 24 hours before the storm makes landfall when you've had ample time to get things in place is not the best approach. And now you're in a pickle. You'll have to do what you think is best for you and you're child but you may have to sacrifice your job to carry that out.

Correct, but most jobs would send out an massive email. Telling staff to come in early, prepare to stay and etc. Not just act like it doesn't exist.

8Lovenursing8

42 Posts

You became a nurse and choose to live in a place where this is a known risk, much like snow in Iowa. Go to work.

Actually I'm not living in a place known as hurricane risk. We haven't had an hurricane since 1989. Thats why I asked for opinions of others.

8Lovenursing8

42 Posts

Go in ahead of the storm. Stay 'til it's over.

I've spent 3+ days at work due to a blizzard. It sucks, and I left two littles at home with their dad. Nurses are 'essential personnel'. We are needed.

Thanks!!! I plan to do that. But also thought my job would send out safety plans as well. Just seems odd. Just wanted other tips.

elkpark

14,633 Posts

Correct, but most jobs would send out an massive email. Telling staff to come in early, prepare to stay and etc. Not just act like it doesn't exist.

Perhaps they feel it should be obvious to employees that they need to make whatever preparations are necessary for them to be able to come to work. It's not like Florence is a secret and employees might not be aware it's coming. I've worked in a variety of different areas over my career with a variety of different kinds of bad weather. It's always been the responsibility of the employees to make whatever arrangements were necessary, in enough time, to be able to show up for work.

I hope you will all be okay there -- best wishes!

8Lovenursing8

42 Posts

Perhaps they feel it should be obvious to employees that they need to make whatever preparations are necessary for them to be able to come to work. It's not like Florence is a secret and employees might not be aware it's coming. I've worked in a variety of different areas over my career with a variety of different kinds of bad weather. It's always been the responsibility of the employees to make whatever arrangements were necessary, in enough time, to be able to show up for work.

I hope you will all be okay there -- best wishes!

Maybe its just me, but everyone should be on board and follow a plan. Such as what happens if and if such happens. But thanks guys! Bye

Aunt Slappy

271 Posts

Specializes in hospice, LTC, public health, occupational health.
Actually I'm not living in a place known as hurricane risk. We haven't had an hurricane since 1989. Thats why I asked for opinions of others.

Everywhere on the east coast from Florida to Maine is a known hurricane risk, as is the entire Gulf of Mexico.

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