Weather Policy

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg/ICU/Stepdown.

Does your hospital have a weather policy? If so, is it lenient? Do you ever feel like you have really sacrificed your safety to make it into work out of guilt?

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Does your hospital have a weather policy? If so, is it lenient? Do you ever feel like you have really sacrificed your safety to make it into work out of guilt?

Yes. No. Yes.

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Nurses are considered "essential personnel".

That means you will report to work despite inclement weather. You have a choice of calling in "sick".. or being honest and say the conditions prevent you from getting to work safely. I've had managers and emergency workers offer to pick me up and drive me in.

They , of course, weren't concerned about driving me home.

My advice is, save your call off time for this type of situation.

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I live in Southern California.

I do not know of this... inclement... weather you speak of.

Is that when water comes down from the sky and makes things wet?

;)

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

I also live in So Cal and every employer I've had here has had an earthquake/fire policy that is similar to inclement weather policies elsewhere.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I am in Canada. If the roads are too dangerous to drive on then you call in. You don't get in any trouble.Bad weather is bad weather.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

A few weeks back I was definitely white-knuckling it. I don't know that I was risking my life b/c nobody was going much over 40 mph and I was of course restrained. :up: I did feel like I was risking my car though. I'm not sure if we have a policy or not, but I figure since we're essential, I should go to work.

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I live in Southern California.

I do not know of this... inclement... weather you speak of.

Is that when water comes down from the sky and makes things wet?

;)

Rather than a snarky reply gloating over your ideal weather conditions..

the OP would appreciate a well thought out reply as to her REAL concern about safe travel to fulfill work and patient care obligations.

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It was meant to be a joke. No snark intended. Other than a giggle, yes, I have nothing to contribute to this subject.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/ICU/Stepdown.

Interesting points. I ask because tomorrow's forecast is predicted about 14" of snow. And I reside about 90 minutes door-to-door from my hospital. I also drive a 4-door sedan.

And my hospital has made it abundantly clear that weather is NOT an acceptable call-out excuse.

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Specializes in Oncology.

My hospital is pretty good about this. They create accommodations for staff to spend the night as needed, and just want you to make your best effort to get in at some point. I buy snow tires, drive slowly, and haven't felt that I've risked my life yet.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/ICU/Stepdown.
My hospital is pretty good about this. They create accommodations for staff to spend the night as needed and just want you to make your best effort to get in at some point. I buy snow tires, drive slowly, and haven't felt that I've risked my life yet.[/quote']

Even with snow tires and driving slow, 14" in a white out is impossible driving conditions. Particularly up hill. Particularly on a lake.

I have an overnight bag with nonperishable food items and towing equipment, but there is also little cell service at the worst part of the trip. It's just scary, and frankly, I'm a little off put the hospital doesn't care enough to consider that given the circumstance.

But, I chose healthcare, and so I forgo my right to *****.

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