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.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
(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)
You evidently took a job that required you to be there during bad weather. I'm sorry that you were terrified, but that really isn't anyone ELSE's problem. It's yours. If you're going to take a job that requires you to be there in a snowstorm, it's your responsibility to figure out how to get there during, before or after a snowstorm so that you can be to work when scheduled. And why should anyone ELSE feel sorry for you? They were evidently already at work when you got there, so they evidently drove in on the same bad roads that so terrified you. Perhaps they were frightened too, but they knew they were expected at work so they sucked it up and drove in to work. I can see how something like that would give them little sympathy for you.
As for the "Why can't more people remain at work when the roads are dangerous" comment, I'm sure you can answer that one. In this entire thread, I haven't seen YOU volunteer to stay at work so others won't have to drive in.
Sociopathy -- does that say anything about someone who is concerned only about herself and not about others? No, wait, that's another word. What is that word again?
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
(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?)
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)
I guess your co-worker could say....how could you be so indifferent to your co-workers as to not care if they go home to their family or pets. The street runs both ways. I wouldn't call them a sociopath.
I expect my co-workers to give me the same respect that I show them and that is show up to work when I am scheduled. Yes there are extenuating factors sometimes, however I believe they are rare.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
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.
I have done the same thing....so they are put out...so what...at least you showed up. I probably wouldn't have said my safety come first....I would have said the roads are treacherous....I am so glad I am here..... you need to be careful on the way home these were the best roads I found....and go on about my day.
Don't stir the pot if it isn't necessary....and don't expect them to fall at your feet either because you showed up...that's the job.
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 can't fathom just calling out and expecting the poor souls at the hospital to just pick up the slack. What about moms of young children? Breastfeeding moms? Pet owners who need to care for their pets? Nurses who have family and other obligations who can't just be away for days at a time? Nurses with medical conditions who can't work for hours on end?
I drove in some pretty treacherous weather last week to get to work. I probably didn't HAVE to, because I do private duty for a stable child with a great family, but it never occured to me to just call out and stay home. As long as I have been a nurse, I have always understood that nurses don't get snow days.
Specializes in Acute Care - Adult, Med Surg, Neuro.
I usually work evenings or nights. One evening shift when I was working as a CNA, we had a horrible ice storm. I called my fiance to bring his truck as we only lived 5 minutes away. When we got outside, all you could hear was sirens. It was midnight and the streets were stand still traffic. Some of my co-workers went with me and my fiance to our house. We were so lucky to make it home. We live on a hill, and a semi had crashed at the bottom so we had to park on the street. When we walked on the street, we slipped and fell and almost had to crawl up the side walk because of how slippery it was. People were out and falling all over the place, coming up to us and asking "Have you seen my wife?" etc. It was pretty scary.
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.
What would you think of a building manager who is denying someone the right to a dignified place to sleep after they have worked a double shift, have to work again the next morning, and are stuck in the building?
In this case, that someone was me. There was an extra bed in a private, unoccupied room and they said I could not sleep there and why?? If they were expecting an admit I would have understood. Why do they abuse people this way and then complain about the ones who won't work during the storms?
Here is another thing. All through this thread I see people saying, "That's your problem." I have made it clear that I was on my shift during the storms and that I called to say that the next girl did not have to comein and that I would work her shift.
I have also seen some posts from people who were in accidents. Do you really think it's
"their problem?" If they were on the same staff as I was I would be thinking of what I could do to keep them out of crisis.
Not once have I ever told my coworkers that it's "their problem," if they were afraid of coming to work. I have kept them from being out on a dangerous road more times than I can count.
Today I drove all around the city on snowy, icey roads. Love my front wheel drive car with snow tires, they're worth every penny of the $1200.00 I spent.
I have described my experiences of being at work during the storms.
I described working double shifts, contacting my supervisor to take shifts away from the others out of my concern for them and keeping them off the roads.
I talked about getting to work before the storm starts. I don't ever assume that the others are coming in on a road as safe as the ones I came in on or that they know how to drive in snow like I do.
I'm sorry for my very long-winded posts and that some people lost sight of what I'm trying to say.
You evidently took a job that required you to be there during bad weather. I'm sorry that you were terrified, but that really isn't anyone ELSE's problem. It's yours. If you're going to take a job that requires you to be there in a snowstorm, it's your responsibility to figure out how to get there during, before or after a snowstorm so that you can be to work when scheduled. And why should anyone ELSE feel sorry for you? They were evidently already at work when you got there, so they evidently drove in on the same bad roads that so terrified you. Perhaps they were frightened too, but they knew they were expected at work so they sucked it up and drove in to work. I can see how something like that would give them little sympathy for you.
As for the "Why can't more people remain at work when the roads are dangerous" comment, I'm sure you can answer that one. In this entire thread, I haven't seen YOU volunteer to stay at work so others won't have to drive in.
Sociopathy -- does that say anything about someone who is concerned only about herself and not about others? No, wait, that's another word. What is that word again?
What would you think of a building manager who is denying someone the right to a dignified place to sleep after they have worked a double shift, have to work again the next morning, and are stuck in the building?
In this case, that someone was me. There was an extra bed in a private, unoccupied room and they said I could not sleep there and why?? If they were expecting an admit I would have understood. Why do they abuse people this way and then complain about the ones who won't work during the storms?
Here is another thing. All through this thread I see people saying, "That's your problem." I have made it clear that I was on my shift during the storms and that I called to say that the next girl did not have to comein and that I would work her shift.
I have also seen some posts from people who were in accidents. Do you really think it's
"their problem?" If they were on the same staff as I was I would be thinking of what I could do to keep them out of crisis.
Not once have I ever told my coworkers that it's "their problem," if they were afraid of coming to work. I have kept them from being out on a dangerous road more times than I can count.
It's called work for a reason. Also, yes. It is their problem. Do you think I liked taking buses and having delays of an hour or more because of snow? No, of course not. It was still my problem, though.
OK, honestly, yeah...the employers may be kind of jerks, but I'm pretty sure in the contract it doesn't say that they are required to give you a place to sleep, food, and transportation for inclement weather. You may not say it's your coworkers' problem, but it really is. I'm not responsible for them. Also, um, what if they got an admit?
How about you pack your car with a sleeping bag, an extra set of scrubs, and other stuff you might need? (I tend to bring as much extra stuff as I can if there's a blizzard.)
Jerky, maybe, but not abusive. And definitely not sociopathic.
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.
The sheriffs do offer rides for nurses and caregivers. If they really are busy, they probably would have no trouble standing up for themselves.
When I called them for a ride, it was in part because my own car would have crumpled up like tin foil if it was in a collision and most of their vehicles are rock solid.
In this way I protected both myself and a lot of other people on the road as well and the man who came to give me the ride was in good spirits.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
The sheriffs do offer rides for nurses and caregivers. If they really are busy they probably would have no trouble standing up for themselves. When I called them for a ride, it was in part because my own car would have crumpled up like tin foil if it was in a collision and most of their vehicles are rock solid. In this way I protected both myself and a lot of other people on the road as well and the man who came to give me the ride was in good spirits. [/quote']
Maybe that's the norm in your area. Hospital security had 4WD vehicles and a network of drivers who would pick up essential employees within a 20 mile radius. If anyone (nurse, caregiver , CNA or queen of the universe) called the county sheriff for a ride to work in my area you would be likely be laughed at, not their jurisdiction to give citizens rides to work during a storm. If anything in a state of emergency, like post hurricane Sandy, the national guard was called in for transport & evacuation duties. The police & sheriff handled law & order.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts