Have you ever had an accident driving to work in a snow storm?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2013

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.

Who is bullying anyone? I worked on a floor where there actually was a lot of bullying but none of it had anything to do with the weather. If you're essential personnel, you report to work. There have been a few times in the recent past when my city completely shut down public transportation because of the weather and the expectation is STILL that essential personnel get themselves to work. One time, the hospitals in the city together begged for them to keep the trains running through the morning commute so staff could get in. Last year I believe some of the hospitals comped cab rides. During Nemo last year, many of my former colleagues went in on a hotel room for the weekend. The day shift slept while the night shift worked and vice versa. They all walked to the hospital in the morning.

I always took public transportation when I worked in the hospital but there were a few times when I ended up walking in or walking home because it was actually faster to do that with the bad weather. I once walked home at 11PM and didn't see a single train on my whole 45 min walk.

Arranging a double shift in bad weather? Um, no. If people legit can't get in I could see offering to stay but why should one shift bear the brunt of the entire storm? The shift working has families and snow to shovel waiting for them at home too.

In these situations, nurse manager HAVE to think about staffing the floor. Patients need to be cared for. I'm not sure what you mean by "patient really do not need help during the storm."

Knowing how to drive in the snow/ice most definitely DOES make a difference. I'd rather drive in 3 feet of snow in New England than in 3 inches of snow in Florida.

Mandychelle79, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2013

I have slipped and I have slid, but I never wrecked on my way to work and I work in the western Pa snow belt. I drive a big SUV which has bother AWD and 4x4 options. I have been driving on bed roads for 18 years ( with a mid december birthday you learn quick). I also leave in plenty of time, leave plenty of space between cars. I am usually the one who will pull over and help push other cars out when needed. I have my cell with me and will keep my unit updated on my progress if I am running late. I take an extra meal with me and usually have an extra set of scrubs in my car just in case.

VampyrSlayer, CNA · Dec 13, 2013

I live in snow country, where people take great pride in their winter driving ability. I also work private duty, and some of my clients live in the middle of nowhere. I have no problem driving in snow, even without 4-wheel drive, though my next car will most likely be a Subaru Outback (the unofficial state car).
The closest I've come to a weather-related accident was 2 Saturdays ago, when a storm hit at the end of my shift. A 45-minute drive home took 2 hours because of ice and whiteout conditions. I drove 20 mph the whole way, and nearly went of the road at one point. The worst part- I didn't see a single plow or salt truck (thanks VTrans!).

I KNEW you lived in Vermont. Me too! Last night my road had such a white out I was going 25. It's insane. If I get a job at the hospital I want, they have apartments basically on hospital property. Guess who will move in there!

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 13, 2013

Not to work but leaving work to the bar with our ER crew yes. Not terrible though. Free new doors compliments of the other driver

SwansonRN · Dec 13, 2013

This is embarrassing, but twice. The first time I was a student on my way to only my second day of my internship. The roads were very snowy and I slid into a snowbank. My car had to be towed out. I called out and cried the rest of the day. Yup! The second time was last year as a nurse. This was actually a horrible storm and the safest road to the hospital was completely blocked by an 18 wheeler that spun out. I tried go a different route and got my car stuck on an unplowed street. Luckily I was within walking distance, but I had to abandon my car and trudge through knee deep snow. I didn't cry this time, I was more annoyed than anything. I hate winter!!!

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Dec 13, 2013

First off, a little clarification here. The storm that hit my area was not a snowstorm by any stretch; it was an ice storm. We were wishing for a little snow to help with the gliding action that was going on. Pure ice. It was almost impossible to walk on much less drive on; but drive we did though thankfully I chose to live extremely close to my workplace. If not, I would have done like some others and shown up early (some showed up a day early) and be prepared to stay. Some stayed 4 days, thankfully we also have the option of hotels very close by.

I tell you what was hilarious though . . .

The yankee that laughed at us for our supposed inability to "drive in the snow". She discovered the difference between snow and ice as the tow truck drug her (ahem) out of the ditch.

Another hilarious event from the last storm. The hospital van service; you know the one they offer to pick up essential employees during bad weather? It was cancelled. . . for bad weather!! Those employees were still expected to find their way to the hospital, but weather conditions were "too dangerous" for the bad weather transportation service!! All we could do was laugh.

liketheairport · Dec 13, 2013

For us in the Milwaukee area, it also VERY MUCH depends where you live. Some of the suburbs plow better than others. Some of parts of the City of Milwaukee overlap other cities. If you're in an area that has an overlap with Milwaukee, you're probably going to be the last plowed.

I know I said before that I knew I wouldn't come in if it was like that. However, I should clarify. If I knew the buses would be delayed, I would call and say, "Look, I'm leaving half an hour, or an hour before I usually do, and I usually get there a half hour early. I can make no promises about getting there in time." I've done this before.

I've also walked through 3 feet of snow from a mile away from my destination because the bus driver decided to not even go all the way to the final stop, instead turned around and went back. Good times.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 13, 2013

We're nurses. We go to work. No matter what.

Why?

Who the heck ELSE is going to do our job?

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Dec 13, 2013

One winter it froze & I wasn't about to drive to work on the ice. I worked at a big prison in town & waited until the ice thawed. I had no one to take me & they didn't have a car service. It was in town & I live out in the country.

If it were to freeze again I wouldn't drive to work & I live too far away to get a ride. No job I have ever had was worth me getting in an accident/hurt, especially now since I'm pregnant. I work over an hour away from home (at a detention center) & work 12 hour shifts. Pulling a double isn't feasible - I have epilepsy. If there was bad weather there is enough staff that live closer that can take care of the detainees.

It normally doesn't freeze but we have the potential for hurricanes. Knock on wood we haven't had to deal with any. But I don't know any area in the US that doesn't have to deal with bad weather of some sort. I know the patients need nurses but what good is it if the nurse gets injured & is now the patient? Oh & I live in south Texas.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2013

I have never been threatened nor intimidated about driving in the snow. I have always lived where there is bad weather. It is a fact of life. I have always been a nurse and it is a fact that someone needs to care for patients even when the weather is bad....another fact of life. If I don't get to work....someone doesn't go home.

I have only worked at ONE facility that had a snow plan. They would ask the next shift to come in before the storm started and would supply beds and showers for the staff. They would order pizza and feed the staff in the morning. They paid call pay for the hours spent sleeping/socializing so they would have staff come morning. It was cheaper that the OT and mandating staff to stay. This was completely supported by the MNA (the union) and sure made my administrative days during these times easier. This facility would also use security in 4 wheel drive vehicles to retrieve close by staff during the usual snow storms. I once used National guard vehicles to get supplies meds to the sister hospital a few mile down the road....that was a bust day. Many people were evacuated to the hospitals (sister hospitals close to each other) as a safe haven for the storm surge that accompanies Nor'easters.

I go into work because the patients still need a nurse and my co-workers need relief. I was stuck at work only once and it was an ice storm you couldn't even get into your car.

I went to work once when I probably shouldn't have....We had a epic storm. The facility knew it was coming so staff was called in for the day shift to spend the night and have a pizza party sleep over (pizza supplied by the hospital). After a 12 long hours I went home because "After 30 years....I can drive in anything"

Well... I underestimated this storm and over estimated my ability. I left at 0400 to get to a job at 0700 that usually took an hour without traffic and arrived at 0840. By the time I realized it wasn't a good idea I was half way to work, administrator on call and in house ADMIN for the day. I kept on truckin...snow half way up the car, 4 wheel drive and tire chains, which are illegal in MA, figured if a statie had guts enough to stop me for the chains I'd have guts enough to pay it. Many areas had 3-4 FEET of snow in a matter of a few hours

When I arrived at work they were stunned...and angry I attempted the drive in the weather. The ride home was MUCH better after the plows....LOL

oops....I never misjudged a NE Noreaster again.

Ice you just can't drive on.

Have I had an accident? I've slid off the road but because I was going slow no harm done...a part of living in bad weather areas.

What annoys me are the employees that live within blocks of the facility who call out whenever there is a cross breeze or they don't have a shovel or their husband didn't plow the drive. If you live where it snows...buy a shovel.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2013

What annoys me are the employees that live within blocks of the facility who call out whenever there is a cross breeze or they don't have a shovel or their husband didn't plow the drive. If you live where it snows...buy a shovel.

I have been it work when this has happened to me...someone called in with "the snow is too deep for me to get out of the driveway." Umm, first, this storm was forecasted over a week ago...you knew it was coming...plan ahead. Second, you work a 8 hour shift. Sure you might be a hour late, but go and shovel! Third, I just worked a double to make up for other staff that called off. I want to go home and go to sleep. Someone has to be here...why should I get punished for your lack of planning?? Finally, you may may not want to walk...ok, fine. But is there not someone who can drive you the mile to work? Relative, neighbor, etc? I'm sure there has to be someone you know who is not snowed in! OK, rant over.

motherof3sons · Dec 13, 2013

Driven in bad weather, absolutely. Felt bullied...never. I am the one who took the job knowing full well that living in Maine we will have bad weather. If I were to tell my employer that I can only work on days with no snow or ice than I would be out of a job. I plan ahead, leave early and drive like a LOL. Last year I had to drive home in a blizzard....finding the road was the worst problem. I would much rather drive in a foot of snow than 1/2 inch of ice!