How to get to work in a snowstorm?

Christie RN2006 · Feb 13, 2007

Well those of us in Ohio are dealing with this topic today... we are supposed to have blizzard to near blizzard like conditions. The nurse following me actually showed up at a decent time, so I was able to leave this morning. When I left, 2 of the nurses hadn't shown up yet... I guess one couldn't get out, so someone with 4WD was going to get her. I think only 1 nurse out of the whole unit made it to work on time this morning! Normally it only takes me 10 minutes to get home from work, but this morning it took 25ish!

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2007

Normally it only takes me 10 minutes to get home from work, but this morning it took 25ish!

No better down here in IL! :chair:

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2007

I wish my daily commute was only 1-25 minutes. Try 2-2 1/2 hrs each way everyday. And I only live 40 miles from my work.

lauralassie · Feb 13, 2007

Snowing so much in Ohio now. I live 2 hours away. I came to the city yesterday before the bad ice storm came. We're medical professional. Use your head , figure it out! I'll leave early tonight. If you've ever been stuck at a hospital , you'll understand. Of course I would work for someone if there are snow emergienies that some can't make it. But if they just want the day off and leave me there, pay backs are a #*^*#.

gitterbug · Feb 13, 2007

Made it to work many times when other staff who lived very close called off. I did what was expected, was never offered any special treatment or perks, and went home when I could. All of that changed for me when we had a flood here a few years ago. I was treated very badly by the facility, not offered any type of assistance, was without power, water, low on food, no phone service either. I made up my mind then that I will never place myself in danger for the job again. Let administrators who don't know squat about actually working the floor take care of the problems. I don't call off on a whim, but if the major road is closed, I cannot get there, so someone else has to cover. If I am there, I make my own plans to stay where I want. No the facility never pays the bill but I don't put up with anyone else in the room either. I had my eyes opened and I never think the facility has my interest in mind when they say come it. Not the patients either, just the money they will lose.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 13, 2007

I think a lot of people have brought to light a valid point. What is administration/mgt doing to support those who make beyond-call-of-duty efforts to help out during crises? I am appalled by some of what I read here. It would not only be nice, but in so many cases, NECESSARY, to feed, house and care for staff who cannot make it home or are stuck working exceedingly long shifts that go on for days.

I can say I would be hard-pressed to put myself in danger for a place that has so little regard for staff who work so hard in times like this.

Anyhow, I, too have a real problem when admin/mgt does not roll up their collective sleeve and pitch in/help out when desperate times call for it. Bad examples. I am saddened by how common such disregard is by what I read here. I guess I am lucky.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2007

Today we're battling a winter storm here in PA. I guess my situtation is a bit different since I'm in home (hospice) care. I have a 50 mile radius north from our office. When the warnings came out, we saw as many patients as we could with many of us going late into the night last night. Most of us will be off today and tomorrow except for those with 4WD and only for dire need situations. The problem isn't just the snow, it's the ice.

Christie RN2006 · Feb 14, 2007

No better down here in IL! :chair:

So I fell asleep at 9am with only 2 inches on the ground and woke up at 6 to over a foot! They are saying that the worst is just now hitting?!?!

kdblueey · Feb 14, 2007

I live in Ohio and we have been having some bad weather, especially today (blizzard warning). Years ago, I lived about 22 miles from the hospital where I worked. The town (small) had people with large/safe vehicles offer to go and pick up anyone who couldn't make it in. I lived too far, for which I was glad, as the road for which I lived on was pure ice. I was glad they didn't offer to come and get me. Right now, I live around 15 miles from my job. Hopefully, the weather and roads will be clear enough for me to go to work tomorrow night...hopefully.....

vamedic4, EMT-P · Feb 14, 2007

A tad off topic, but this caught my attention: Maybe it's different in different states, but here in NY you CANNOT be accountable for patient abandonment if you have NOT ACCEPTED that patient assignment. If you haven't yet stepped in the door to the hospital, how on earth can you have established a patient-nurse relationship for that shift?? Sounds like a hollow threat, and I've never taken kindly to such from any employer. Ever.

The above is true, you can't be terminated for an assignment you didn't receive or were unable to take because you WEREN'T THERE. Run from a facility like that and never look back.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Feb 14, 2007

Haven't seen any hotels lately for $20-$30, my 2-3 hr wage. :)
My employer does not provide beds or pay for hotels for staff. Beds in our hospital are for pts or dr's only. Would be wonderful if they did, as they have one empty floor with beds made up. Is this more common in larger hospitals?
Thank God I still make it to work in the snow....somehow.

bethin...I'm lucky that our hospital has their thinking caps on in times of crisis, like the ice we get every blue moon. They'll put us up at a hotel close by because we've all worked in times of crisis and they understand that THEY TOO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY IN TIMES LIKE THIS. I think you all are forgetting that. Your employer is responsible for YOUR safety as well as the safety of your patients. Period. That means that ...when need be, they need to do whatever it takes to ensure adequate staffing and staff that isn't overworked, that they're fed, whatever. These are needs that are BASIC and necessary.

Imagine the fallout if a diabetic RN had come in on a night like the one's some of you describe, was overworked, didn't eat or take her meds, and ended up arresting and dying because of her conditions. I'd own your facility faster than you could say "oops."

Of course that's an extreme hypothetical situation, but could it happen? Sure it could. If you work for an employer that doesn't have your best interests in mind when it comes to the BASICS...then I hope you have great health and life insurance.

I disagree wholeheartedly with those of you who think that it's not the hospital's job to feed/clothe/provide rest for those who HAVE to be here in the event that the OP posted about. Yes, they absolutely do.

vamedic4

I hate cold...but I love snow.:chuckle

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2007

I don't know if anyone mentioned this because I haven't gone through all 15 pages but 4-wheel drive doesn't do crap on ICE!!!! I had the scariest expereince of my life in a 4-WHEEL DRIVE DURANGO when there was a huge patch of ice on a highway on Christmas Eve (I was visiting family, not working). Even the police car had went into a ditch. And by the way this is the mountains...slide on some ice and you can careen off a cliff....there are not guard rails on a lot of these roads. Anyways our car slid and I almost had a heart attack (cliff on one side of us, 18-wheeler stopped on the other side). Got it stopped and had to wait with all the other cars for an hour for the salt truck to come. Now, there is no way I would try to go to work if the roads are icy like that. Especially if you work at night and it's hard to see icy spots. Yeah my life means more to me than any job. Ice is scary!