Hi Pittsburgh neighbor. New in town. How do you handle being snowed in?

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Hi Y'all! I'm the new girl in town in oh so many ways. I graduate NS this week and am coming up to Pitt from south Florida next week to start fresh. I'm new to snow and cold winters, new to nursing and new to hills. Pittsburghers are friendly people and Pittsburgh is a great town. :) I'm a little worried about driving in icy conditions and getting lost. South Florida is so easy to navigate by comparison.

What happens when y'all get snowed in? How does that affect getting to (or from) work?

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I'm originally from PA- though never nursed there. Most big hospital systems have "volunteer" 4 wheelers who come and get nurses if the roads are not too bad. Once in my career- I had to stay at a hospital for 3 days. They fed us and we slept in many different places, and it was not too bad- considering the power was actually out at home...but..I was happy to get home.

Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car-

flashlight, radio, cellphone charged, blanket, and some basic food and some people swear by kitty litter to get them out of slick spots. and of course a shovel.

At home, be sure to have some extra non-cookable foods for home like P B and J, cereals, canned stuff. candles, flashlights, radio...etc...

It isn't too bad, and it can be very beautiful.

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I moved out of the 'burgh a couple of years ago. Now in live in Northeast Florida. If you can handle Florida driver's you can handle a little snow. Good Luck with your move and your new job. Let us know how it works out. What area are you moving to and what department are you going to work in??

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Not that often we get many Pittsburghers here! What part of town will you be in? Where will you be working? I havent heard about hospitals around here sending vehicals out? You are on your own.

As far as driving. Get your practice in. Take a drive after it snows and when the roads will be empty. Sundays are nice for this. Be prepared like the other poster said and above all ......drive slowly and put the cell phone down.

I've never missed work because of the snow. Just leave alittle earlier and take your time.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
Not that often we get many Pittsburghers here! What part of town will you be in? Where will you be working? I havent heard about hospitals around here sending vehicals out? You are on your own.

As far as driving. Get your practice in. Take a drive after it snows and when the roads will be empty. Sundays are nice for this. Be prepared like the other poster said and above all ......drive slowly and put the cell phone down.

I've never missed work because of the snow. Just leave alittle earlier and take your time.

I'll be working in trauma ICU and calling the South Hills area home. No 4-wheel drive here. I'll have to make due with my corolla. But my next vehicle will be 4WD for sure.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

Hi - I am Australian and have been based in Pittsburgh for about 6 months so far. I couldn't believe how cold it gets, but apparently this is a "mild" winter lol. So far, only powdery snow that even I don't have a hard time sweeping off the car.

I DID get lost every day on the way home for about 3 weeks as I tried different routes, but people are very friendly and will always help out. I would advise getting a copy of the Rand McNally street guide - it has saved me multiple times when I crossed the wrong bridge and ended up nowhere near where I wanted to be!!

(Although it will be pretty hard to get lost from south hills to most of the hospitals)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0528855247/102-4466398-9616158?v=glance&n=283155

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