How do you get around when the weather is bad?

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2013

Pack a bag and stay in the hospital or at the hotel across the street. Small discount from hotel. Last storm we had I checked into the hotel Fri night about 5 and went to work at 7P. Stayed 3 days. Sometimes the hospital will send security for someone that lives really close to the hospital.

If we don't make it to work in bad weather we are severely penalized on our attendance.

Mandychelle79, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2013

I drive a ford expedition. But my during the blizzard of 93 my dad did take my mom to work on our snow-mobile.

PMFB-RN, RN · Dec 14, 2013

We are expected to be at work when scheduled reguardless of weather. Most either drive, or have access to a 4x4. I drive a 4x4 toyota truck with snow traction tires and have shovel, chains and other gear in it to make sure I get where I need to be, but I live very far from work. Our police department will go and get nurses on snow machines in really deep snow. Some people either stay in the hospital, or in a local motel to make sure they get to work when they are supposed to be.

If you attempt to blame the weather on why you are not at work ususally our supervisors will say something like "Uh, they have been predicting this snow for three days, you should have made arrangments".

KenH · Dec 18, 2013

Dallas just got hit with some really bad ice, lots of semi-trucks all stuck on the freeway elevated sections for 24hrs, saw lots of trucks chaining up on overpasses that were stuck, Had to drive 3 days, It was funny people calling in that were local after I drove 45 miles. The hospital will do door to door delivery, Not showing up = extra points for missed days, no yearly raise and a negative evaluation, they termed a few.

The worst driving days were when more people started trying to drive in it, getting to the overpasses and hitting the breaks and taking 5 other cars out with them because they all like to bunch up in a nice little pack of doom.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 18, 2013

My employer has a policy that expects staff to be "on call" during snow storms. There are also designated staff that have volunteered to provide transport for those that live within a reasonable distance. They call it the snow emergency plan. However, since their expectation for staff to be on call doesn't include actually getting on call pay, you can believe I don't consider myself on call and don't feel at all obligated to answer the phone.

Amazingly though, hardly anybody ever calls in due to bad weather.

knitter523 · Dec 18, 2013

About 3 years ago, when the Seattle area was expecting a major snowstorm, our DOT decided to be proactive and puts down de-ice prior to the storm...problem was, it was too early and when it got real cold, everything froze and the freeway became a skating rink.

I was on my way to work...45 minute drive turned into a 9 hour commute. I was stuck on the freeway, all exits blocked by spin outs, freeway blocked by jack knifed trucks and buses.

When I finally arrived, the staff was so surprised that I even showed up. DUH! Where was I supposed to go after sitting on the freeway for 9 hours...I couldn't get home!

PMFB-RN, RN · Dec 19, 2013

About 3 years ago, when the Seattle area was expecting a major snowstorm, our DOT decided to be proactive and puts down de-ice prior to the storm...problem was, it was too early and when it got real cold, everything froze and the freeway became a skating rink.
I was on my way to work...45 minute drive turned into a 9 hour commute. I was stuck on the freeway, all exits blocked by spin outs, freeway blocked by jack knifed trucks and buses.
When I finally arrived, the staff was so surprised that I even showed up. DUH! Where was I supposed to go after sitting on the freeway for 9 hours...I couldn't get home!

Sorry about the 9 hours you were stuck but, well LOL, LOL, LOL! While were are fully expected to be at work regardless of the weather , there is an assumption of the most basic level of competence among our road crews.

They put down de-icer BEFORE the storm! I hope somebody in the DOT lost their job over that.

loriangel14, RN · Dec 22, 2013

We do our best to get to work in bad weather but we don't get hassled or penalized.We very seldom have weather call ins.It did take me an hour and a half instead of 30 minutes to get home tonight because it was freezing rain.I find just slowing down is the best way to get through the storms.

I hope everyone takes care and has a safe winter.