Is leaving before hurricane abandonment?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Hello all, so I am located at the very end of south Florida near the keys! My question is simply this, I'm supposed to work weekend during this hurricane which some are saying could be deadly. I have a small child and his safety is my priority. I want to evacuate but my job is saying that they could report me for abandonment. I really don't understand how because if I leave from my house, how have I abandoned their residents?? I am an LPN btw

dstee009 said:
If you are a HEALTH CARE worker then you know the dangers going in. Do what you want but you are not very good at your job if you want to flee when there could be danger. We are there to help those in need, imo, you are selfish and need not be in health care if your first instinct isn't to stay. get your family out or bring them to the hospital with you. People like OP are in it for the money, plain and simple. If you truly care about what you do as an RN, Dr. etc. then you wouldnt be TRYING to run. you would be trying to stay. I say all this as someone that sent my wife north a few days ago and without hesitation stayed to work through the storm here in Florida. if the medical field in the worst of times isn't for you, then you need to find another career.

Dude, you don't know why OP is in Nursing. If she's competent and decent to patients and coworkers, that's about all that's needed. She doesn't have to be totally gung ho like you. Her priority is keeping her little lad safe and hoping her cop husband comes home after each shift. That's more than enough strain for anyone.

Parents need to protect their children. She should have planned better, but you don't know her whole situation.

Thank you for your bravery and heroism. Don't demand it of everyone, though. There might come a time when you are older or not in the best of health or there could arise some other reason that limits your enthusiasm and ability to rise to the occasion of something like a Cat 5 hurricane.

1 Votes
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
CNAbutLPN2be2017 said:
You must be! Like I said, had I known, I would have preparations!

I dont live in the US and hell I know that South Florida is prone to hurricanes.

If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters/hurricanes etc make a damm plan before anything goes wrong

We are prone to flooding and earthquakes, over 4 thousand earthquakes and about 6 floods that have been rated "100 year floods" since 2011 and we all have plans in place

1 Votes
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
Ruby Vee said:
We all have hearts. Some of us think that the OP should have planned ahead as she probably was told when she was hired. If you wait until the last moment and then claim ignorance, people will think you are either incredibly stupid or incredibly dishonest.

Nope, no heart here.:yes:

I've been refered to as a heartless b**** many times

1 Votes
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Okay as Florida is being battered as I type this, lets all take a chill pill and send positive thoughts down that way.

Also...please be mindful of the terms of service to which everyone agreed to when they joined...

1 Votes
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Ruby Vee said:
If you're going to take the job, have a plan. Most employers tell you right up front that you WILL be expected to work.

Our hospital has sent several reminders that, though while schools are closed due to Irma for a few days, if you are scheduled to work you are expected to be there — make arrangements!

1 Votes

We made it hopefully you stayed safe.

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The bottom line is:

I wonder what the OP did!?

Lol

1 Votes
Specializes in HIV.
suzil said:
It is not about being a Martyr at all! It is about the patients. I don't know why you went into nursing.

I went into nursing to help people and to pay for my life expenses that I accrue. I did not go into nursing to die for people, or to risk my life for people. That is called a first responder/military/etc, and I am none of those nor do I get their benefits.

I don't care how safe they say a hospital building is - if there is a bomb, deadly weather, etc., I am not holding up in one, nor am I pulling my family to stay in one with me. Panicked people from outside can be more deadly than the weather inside the building, and I don't want to deal with that potential risk, either. Half of the security I've seen in hospitals aren't worth a penny, anyways, and wouldn't protect me or my family.

So, no, I didn't become a nurse to die for people. Those fragile patients should be transported to a facility outside the range of the dangerous area. That's a social work issue/admin issue. I'll take care of them up to the point it is no longer safe for me to do so.

Call that selfish, but this is a job. This is not my life. I refuse to risk it, as well - all nurses should, otherwise, you continue to allow management to put us in dangerous, risky situations and feel comfortable about it while they sleep in their $10,000 bed at night.

2 Votes

If they require critical staff to be there during a hurricane I make the assumption it is a hurricane proof (is there is such a thing) facility. If it is, they should allow critical staff to bring families in for shelter if they are unable to evacuate such as single parent, special needs family member etc. If it is not a hurricane proof facility it should have been already evacuated and is moot point. Sounds to me it is not the individual's failure to plan in this event more the facility's. Hurricanes and earthquakes different thing- its all about the timing and preparedness. My facility has volunteer list for disaster planning knowing their will be staff through no fault of their own unable to come in.

It is unrealistic to ask people to abandon their own families in crisis if they are "jammed up" sure everyone should have some sort of plan but ask any general what happens to their perfect battle plan when the first bullet is fired.

1 Votes
Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.

I think the OP has already checked out of this thread (she posted this early on). But it does point out that she knows the area she lives in, she knows her job and her husband's. Should she have a disaster plan in place? For sure!

I live in northeast Alabama and we are subject to tornadoes. We have a family (there are 3 of us) plan worked out. We have supplies that have been suggested our meteorologists (bicycle helmets, safe spot, batteries, weather radio, cellphones/electronics fully charged, bottled water, canned foods and a non-electric can opener, etc). We have also lived in North Carolina with similar conditions. When bad weather threatened, we knew to get our cars filled up, get the food in order, batteries, similar as above. We learned the hard way about preparations with Hurricane Hugo. Who knew that a hurricane would make it so far inland? Snow warnings are heeded as well. At the time of Hugo, I was not working. Once I began working in the hospital setting, I knew and accepted, that even as a lowly Unit Secretary (as well as any other worker in the facility), I was expected to be there. We would come in early, the shift prior, to a hotel nearby or to the hospital. I had plans in place for my children and their care. There was one time I was the only Unit Secretary in the whole hospital (large one, btw). I was placed in one unit and given access to all floors/units and was able to put in orders from there. I circulated around my division and had a pager that was given to all floors. As an RN, it's no different. I got there and continue to get there. My family has always had a plan since Hurricane Hugo.

As has been stated, the weather emergency should not have been a surprise. Planning in all aspects of your life is essential.

1 Votes
Kyrshamarks said:
Show me a list of those states. The government CANNOT compell a person no matter what thier job is as a civilian to put their life or property in danger.

I didn't read it closely as I needed a license regardless but when I licensed in VA there was something about mandatory registering for disasters.

1 Votes
CNAbutLPN2be2017 said:
Hello all, so I am located at the very end of south Florida near the keys! My question is simply this, I'm supposed to work weekend during this hurricane which some are saying could be deadly. I have a small child and his safety is my priority. I want to evacuate but my job is saying that they could report me for abandonment. I really don't understand how because if I leave from my house, how have I abandoned their residents?? I am an LPN btw

I think they can report you for abandonment. I live in the mountains, high risk for burning during Summer and being buried in the snow during the Winter; my husband and I have had a roommate last 4 years, not to make money from him more because he doesn't make enough to get by and it really puts our minds at ease having someone who works from home as we do have 4 dogs. If there were a fire I am sure I couldn't just leave prior to roads being closed so I would plan on not getting home (same with severe snow or if jail goes on lock-down.) Someone is caring for your son while you are at work, I would hope they would continue to do so if you could not make it home. Someone has t care for the residents and if it were a family member of yours I am guessing you would not want them abandoned.

1 Votes
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