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 don't think making accommodations for people's safety is so outlandish.
No one said it's outlandish...it's very nice if a facility can do it. It is not, however, a right of the employee to have accommodations made for them, nor is the employer a sociopath if they do not make said accommodations.
No one said it's outlandish...it's very nice if a facility can do it. It is not however, a right of the employee to have accommodations made for them, nor is the employer a sociopath if they do not make said accommodations.[/quote']
I never said any of those things. Of course it's not a right. However, a dead or injured employee surely won't be there for their next shift either.
Well, having read another day's worth of posts, I have come to the conclusion that this discussion is not going to get any better. Both the OP and all of us on the other side are just repeating the same arguments. Since the OP insists on not reading the others' post and (when she does read them) twisting the words of the post, I agree, this thread has run its course.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I never said any of those things. Of course it's not a right. However, a dead or injured employee surely won't be there for their next shift either.
It appears to be the contention of the OP that it IS a right for the employee to have a free meal, a hot shower and a bed to sleep in if they decide to stay overnight at the facility and/or work a double due to bad weather. The OP, in fact, stated that employers who did not provide such were "sociopathic."
It appears to be the contention of the OP that it IS a right for the employee to have a free meal a hot shower and a bed to sleep in if they decide to stay overnight at the facility and/or work a double due to bad weather. The OP, in fact, stated that employers who did not provide such were "sociopathic."[/quote']
what I don't get is the OP having this belief when the OP volunteered.
OP, I think moving forward the best thing for you to do is IF you choose to volunteer, get a hotel room if you want a hot meal and a bed for a double; it is tax deductible since it is employee related. Otherwise, understand that you need to pack your food extra scrubs, travel toiletry and do what you have to do for the patients FIRST while having some way to make sure you are comfortable while working; no employer is under obligation as many, many posters are describing.
As far as your point LTC having showers available to employees; that's because shower rooms are not in residents rooms depending on the facility; and it is not always guaranteed that will occur; that's not always feasible in hospitals
In a perfect world, it would be nice for everything to shut down; but the world keeps turning and we as nurses have to roll with it the best way we can, especially in harsh conditions; even if people stay home or come in or have to go home.
Most places do have a contingency plan in place; I have never worked anywhere where there wasn't one; just because you find it unreasonable doesn't mean there isn't one in place.
You've got that right. I have grown up in the northeast, victim to lake effect snow, major snowstorms, ice storms, and combinations of all three. Weather is a fact of life. Part of being an adult is being responsible, looking at the forecast, and preparing accordingly. If the weather is worse than I expected then I call work and tell them I'll be late, after which they ALWAYS tell me to drive safely! That being said I love my CR-V!
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?
In my case, it was the building manager who decided that I did not need any place to sleep when I was stuck for about 32 hours in a nursing facility during a storm.
If an empty patient room is off limits, they should go out of their way to help you find an acceptable alternative, not just leave you guessing what you should do.
A while back a guest at our house told me a detailed story about getting to her job after a storm. It made me afraid just listening to her. She had an insensitive supervisor. She did not have children or pets at home so she could have stayed over night at her work place to avoid driving. I could not understand what would be so hard about providing a place to for her to sleep so she would already be in the building when it was time for work.
Another question is about why some places take good care of their staff during storms and some others think this is not feasible.
Knowing how to drive in snow and having supplies does not always protect you.
Your coworkers should have just been glad you made it to your shift. You were right to be afraid.
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.
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.
My concern is about health workers being treated like they're disposable. When some of them have children and pets at home, there are more people at risk than just themselves.
Well, having read another day's worth of posts, I have come to the conclusion that this discussion is not going to get any better. Both the OP and all of us on the other side are just repeating the same arguments. Since the OP insists on not reading the others' post and (when she does read them) twisting the words of the post, I agree, this thread has run its course.
I'm out.
I have read them all.
When I said I felt sorry for people who were required to drive in a storm I was not just referring to myself like some people here suggested.
I've worked so many double shifts to protect my coworkers I can't count them all.
what I don't get is the OP having this belief when the OP volunteered. 
psu_213, BSN, RN
3,878 Posts
No one said it's outlandish...it's very nice if a facility can do it. It is not, however, a right of the employee to have accommodations made for them, nor is the employer a sociopath if they do not make said accommodations.