My heart really goes out to the children and families of all those caregivers who are bullied into driving during this time of dangerous driving weather.
Their patients who sometimes do not really need help during the storm are strangely enough on a list of the ones they're coerced into driving to. These patients are afraid for their caregivers.
If you have to work during this time, may I suggest leaving before the bad weather starts and arranging a double shift so your relief nurses do not have to go out.
May I also suggest that nurse managers think about what they would want if these nurses were their own children or parents and find alternatives that do not involve threatening them into driving on a dangerous road.
Knowing how to drive on ice does not make anyone more safe.
I'm going to just ask the question: Who exactly are these 'building staffs' ? I do not yunderstand this term- are you refeeing to management, administration----- who?
I'm going to just ask the question: Who exactly are these 'building staffs' ? I do not yunderstand this term- are you refeeing to management, administration----- who?
I'm picturing janitors when the OP uses that term.
Remember that psychology is not a mathematical science. Thanks anyway for this detailed definition of sociopathy.
Even though this quote from a psych book is valuable, you have to add life experience and other sources to it. Not every self-centered person fits this description to the letter.
Using coercion on people who are handicapped, disadvantaged or helpless is one of the symptoms as well as ignoring their basic needs even when this can be avoided (as has been proven by some of these posts)
Add to this also that some people seem to think you're a fool (another symptom) just because you're terrified of driving on an icy road.
Do you really think if someone has front-wheel drive, no tire chains, lives far away, and has no experience driving on ice that everyone should be indifferent to their feelings.
When a nurse offered to bring me to work in her four-wheel drive with tire chains, I gladly accepted it and thanked her. This proves that I am not just here looking for sympathy like one poster here suggested.
Some of the posters here seem to think building managers have a right to ignore the welfare of nurses who go out of their way to come to work.
Some people here also seem to think I should not care at all about the safety of the girl scheduled after me.
She might be terrified out on the road. She might not have family members shoveling the driveway for her like I do. She might live down many dangerous back roads and have other handicaps that I do not have.
If taking the next girl's shift away from her even saves one live or limb it was worth it.
Let's see, antisocial personality disorder, commonly referred to as sociopathy from DSM-IV-TR (which is slightly different in the DSM-V, but mostly similar):
There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:
failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
reckless disregard for safety of self or others
consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations
lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
[*]The individual is at least age 18 years.
[*]There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15 years.
[*]The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia or a Manic Episode.
Pretty sure "showing up to work on time because that's your job" doesn't qualify.
I know that psychology isn't a mathematical science. But, there is a distinct correlation between sociopathy and being a criminal. And drawing attention to yourself. I know that not everyone fits the same symptoms, but you've shown me NO EVIDENCE of your employers having antisocial personality disorder! Science, even not strictly mathematical science, is EVIDENCE BASED. (And actually, much of psychology relates to neurology, which is VERY MUCH mathematically based.)
The evidence you have is paltry for this issue. The evidence points to you simply taking what is completely within your employer's rights, and making a mountain out of a molehill.
Nearly everyone on this thread has explained that to you on multiple occasions. If you think you're going to be stuck, either call in or being extra items to work. I'm sorry that this affects you so much. But, it doesn't prove that you're being abused by your employer. No one threatened your life, liberty, health, nor did they discriminate against you or insult you. They didn't threaten your life, because it was your choice to come in and your choice to stay.
If this is such a problem for you, talk to HR. Read the facility policy. Talk to the board of whoever runs the facility.
They are not required to accommodate you. End of story. If you don't like it, I'm sure they will be all too glad to accommodate you finding a new job.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
You are incorrect about your rights as an employee. Employees do not have a right to hot showers or "comfortable" sleeping arrangements whether they chose to work a double like you and cancel the subsequent shift or are stuck because of an external disaster.
But if the weather is that bad resources are better allocated in taking care of the patients who need beds, showers, and food. There is no right, as an adult employee, to a shower, comfortable bed, or hot meal. Especially in a snow storm where subsequent deliveries of replacement supplies may be diverted or delayed. The hospital administration is legally obligated provide an appropriate bed, appropriate dietary needs, staffing and bathing needs to the patients under the care of the facility staff. The patients have a right to these services relative to their medical diagnosis and condition. Employees have no such rights and employers have no such legal obligation.
The facility administration is not sociopathic because they prioritize patient needs over the perceived needs of employees who voluntarily work double shifts. Is it nice? No. But nice is neither a legal obligation nor a right.
After reading through this thread, I decided to confirm the answer to what I suspected: the OP is not a nurse.
He or she is a pre-nursing student. Not yet even in nursing school, I presume? "Caregiving on and off for years" is listed instead of years of nursing experience......what does this mean?
My suspicion was that the OP was voicing frustrations over her first nursing job. Perhaps she is a CNA, I don't know. Regardless, one does have to question the expectations of one who is not yet even a nurse but believes that significant accommodations must be made in order for her to work in her job of choice.
Unrealistic at best, and setting herself up for anger and frustration if she does become a nurse, to be sure.
But now I'm off to work!! In the foot of SNOW that is continuing to drop as a type. Poor me right?!?
Nope! I knew there was a storm this weekend. I've prepared myself accordingly.
This is part of life living in the NE no matter what career really. Inclement weather will happen.
My responsibilities are still there even if there is doubt and fear of bad weather looming.
Be. Smart. Be. Safe. Go to work. Everyone's happy. Go home.
I am quite thrilled to be off this weekend, as I'm usually ON whenever a storm is looming....or finishing up. I have driven to and from work under some of the most horrendous conditions. People have said to me "you're crazy, why would you do that?" or "you're not going in, right?" when they hear of my drive and the expected weather.
My responses have always been "because it's my job", "if the patients are there, I'm expected to show up to take care of them" and "would you be ok with your mother having no nurse while she's in the hospital because the weather was bad...and the nurse didn't want to drive in?".
Leave early. Drive slowly and carefully. Don't rush. Be aware of the road conditions. Arrive safely :)
My hospital has been around since the 40s and also owns over 100 acres. It's a psych facility, so numerous buildings. I think the home at one time belonged to the groundskeeper. We have one nurse that lives an hour and a half away and works 2 back to back doubles a week. She stays at the cottage when she does that and then goes home, so it does get used.
Sure it would be wonderful if facilities provided a place to sleep/shower/eat in bad weather, but sociopathy it is not. I am a psych nurse and work with my fair share of antisocial PDs. Not even close.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
The OP has an axe to grind and doesn't seem to be open to input from anyone else. Nothing seems to be shaking him/her from the idea that his employer owes him a hot shower and a free meal if he chooses to work a double because of bad weather, and logic isn't making a dent. I don't usually say this -- threads like this can be mighty entertaining after all -- but this one seems to have run it's course.
If you know the storm is coming and you are scheduled to work then you should leave in plenty of time to get there. I think the definition of "essential workers" varies from one area to the other. Pack a bag with all the things you'll need and leave in plenty of time so you're not frazzled.[/quote'] Because everyone is responding to me like I'm an idiot, I did leave early for my shift last night. I allowed 2.5 hours of travel time. I packed blankets, flashlight, food etc . That does not mean that it still isn't extremely stressful, even with preparation. You can still have an accident or go off the road with preparation. And we do NOT all travel in on the same roads. Many of my coworkers come from 5 minutes away. Responding to that with, "Well, just get another job" or "just move" is so ludicrous and short sighted as to be laughable. I have been at my job for 5 years. It pays better than other places closer to me, has better ratios , and has an Onc floor which the closer hospitals don't have. We just bought our first house. Not moving either! I have a friend who is an RN in Denver and they get picked up for work sometimes. I don't think making accommodations for people's safety is so outlandish. I wouldn't care about a shower or food, but an on call room to sleep in? Sure. These used to be provided to nurses who met certain criteria but were lost in our remodel.
meanmaryjean, DNP, RN
7,899 Posts
I'm going to just ask the question: Who exactly are these 'building staffs' ? I do not yunderstand this term- are you refeeing to management, administration----- who?