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

[Alnitak7]

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.

[Elle23]

I have driven to work many times in bad weather, but never had an accident, thankfully.

I fully expect my relief to come in during bad weather, so I would do nothing less for them.

I recall many shifts just hoping and praying my relief would make it in! As far as I remember, they always did!

[Alnitak7]

The Sheriffs will take you to work but I think your workplace has to be inside their jurisdiction.

I have gotten them to bring me to work in years past.

In the event that you commute from your town to someplace out of your own area, I would feel guilty even asking them.

[Alnitak7]

Can charge nurses and DoNs plan for this by asking, "Who would like to come in during the snow storm?"

They should plan to stay longer than an eight hour shift. They also should be offered a hot shower and free meal.

[Alnitak7]

I got up at 4 a.m. to make my shift that started at 8 a.m.

Driving long distance in snow that literally blinds you so you can't see where the road goes and then being questioned by a charge nurse that your safety came first and that this is why you are over an hour late is not what I signed up for.

[Alnitak7]

I know the value of SLOWING DOWN. [/quote

So do I. I actually had to explain to a charge nurse why I was late when I drove long distance in a dangerous storm.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Can charge nurses and DoNs plan for this by asking, "Who would like to come in during the snow storm?"

They should plan to stay longer than an eight hour shift. They also should be offered a hot shower and free meal.

They who? "They should stay longer....they who? Who should be offered a hot meal?

Lots of places I have lived if people get stuck they can eat in the cafe for free. They can wear hospital scrubs and shower in a open room. I wouldn't ask the sheriffs department to drive me they are busy with the weather and accidents enough to baby sit me and cart my behind to work. The hospital I worked at back in the eighties with that ice storm we went into the kitchen as nurse and cooked breakfast for the patients...in a pinch you do what you have to do. It is what nursing is all about.

Like I said I have only worked at one place that actually planned ahead and it was here in New England on the north shore. If you are scheduled you are expected at work why on earth would they ask...do you want to work in the storm? You are scheduled and you are expected to be there....whether or not you show up is entirely up to you. If the "roads are closed except for essential personnel your badge is your pass for the roads.

[Alnitak7]

I have had elderly clients who worry themselves sick about the safety of their caregivers who are required to drive on ice.

These poor little clients were very relieved when I contacted the supervisor to say that I would work a double shift to protect both myself and the next girl coming in. This work would be easier if people would think about each other's safety

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Asking who wants to work in a storm is the equivalent of asking who wants to work their shifts as scheduled. If you are scheduled it is your responsibility to show up for work. Unless you live in Hawaii and their is an environmental shift and they have their first blizzard, you know the potential for bad weather. If you cannot make a contingency plan to get to work then do not accept a job that is an hour or more away from your home in good weather. Planning ahead is the responsibility of both the employer and employee. Communication is key.

I would NEVER call the sheriff's office or local police to get me to work. These officers have other responsibilities than to do transport of someone who did not plan ahead.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Working a double shift is not always an option nor realistic. Especially in a hospital where there are limits as to how many consecutive hours a nurse can work.

In home care there are emergency plans that determine who is most need of care and who has alternate qualified care givers. Those who are most complex and in need of skilled care are staffed first.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think it is the caregivers responsibility not to feed into the patients fears...You reassure them that you are a bad weather expert driver and leave it at that.

When I leave my house in the winter I make sure I have a full tank of gas, a shovel, rock salt/bag of sand in my car with fix a flat, windshield de-icer and flares, a warm coat, gloves/hat, and blanket, water and granola bars just in case with a cell phone charger for my car/

My motto...be prepared!

[Alnitak7]

(Does anyone else think it's odd (or overkill) that "sociopathy" is listed as one of the tags for this thread, at the bottom of the OP?)[/quote

Let's talk about the sociopathy.

How can anyone be so indifferent to their coworkers that they would expect them to drive when the roads are dangerous and when they might be terrified and then listen to someone say, "that's her problem."

Why can't more people remain at work when the roads are dangerous both to protect themselves and their co-workers and all others on the road.

This is not even about getting to stay at home just because it's snowing (or raining and freezing)

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Can charge nurses and DoNs plan for this by asking, "Who would like to come in during the snow storm?"

They should plan to stay longer than an eight hour shift. They also should be offered a hot shower and free meal.

What? It doesn't matter who wants to come in during the snow storm. If you're scheduled, you work. Most of us know to bring enough clean underwear, scrubs and our personal prescriptions to stay for up to 3 days when we do come in, just in case we cannot get home again. Just in case we forget, administration circulates an email any time a storm is predicted.

Who is this "they" that should be offered a hot shower and a free meal? Where are you going to get those shower facilities?

My hospital gives meal vouchers for the duration of a winter weather event, and they make sure to have plenty of food on hand any time a storm is predicted. Beds and showers are a bit harder to come by. But they manage. I've slept on a guerney in Preop holding, on a recliner and many of my colleagues have slept in on-call rooms. Sometimes the hospital can rent hotel rooms for us all. They do their best.