How to get to work in a snowstorm?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi. I was wondering what your hospitals policy is on snowdays? Ours doesn't have one and I live 1 1/2 hours from work. The highway was actually closed and I was still expected to come in?

How can they expect anyone to come in if the road is closed? What are you supposed to do, take a snowmobile or maybe fly?

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So one is supposed to spend all the money they would make for that shift on a hotel room just so they could be there at work?

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Specializes in Emergency.
Again all these answers just show the self martyring that nurses get pounded into their head and learn to espouse back out. Granted hospitals do not close but remember people it is a job. That is all it is worth and you have to weigh that in against your personal and family safety in a blizzard/hurricine situation. I can just bet the docs were not making it in to see their patents during the OP weather incident. Stop the self martyring and for once put yourselves first.

I don't call it self-martying, I call it loyalty and responsibility.

I knew hiring into an ER hospital position, that I would be expected to work regardless of the weather. Yes, sometimes it is inconvenient.

Today for example, it started snowing about 45 minutes before I left for work. It took me a little longer, but I made it. Had I called in citing weather, who would have taken take of the three Level 2 traumas we had?

Our ED was getting slammed - another day with no lunch or break to pee! If I had called in, what a slap in the face to my coworkers who were just as harried!

It is an individual choice only you can make.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
how can they expect anyone to come in if the road is closed? what are you supposed to do, take a snowmobile or maybe fly?

generally, snow isn't a big surprise. if there's going to be a snowstorm and you're scheduled to work, you may want to go early, stay in a hotel near work or work on the excuses you're going to be making to your co-workers for the next year. and yes, you can take a snowmobile to work. i've gotten to work in a snowmobile, snow cat and on skis.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

duplicate sorry.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, MNICU.
So one is supposed to spend all the money they would make for that shift on a hotel room just so they could be there at work?

Lots of people do it. In fact lots of hospitals either provide beds or pay for hotel rooms for staff. They'd rather be out that money than paying for travelers or dealing with the repercussions of night shift nurses working several hours over. All it would take would be one malpractice suit (due to inadequate staffing or errors from sleep deprivation) to bring the hospital to paying for nights at the Ritz;)

Also, some people stay with coworkers. There are tons of ways to make this work. Since the OP has come up with so many reasons why it wouldn't work for her, then it's best for her to discuss options with management. For others reading this post, and looking for ideas, we're trying to provide some options for those who really want to make it to work. Just a thought...

BTW, where do you you work that you are paid so poorly and hotels cost so much that you couldn't find a place for less than 2-3 hours' pay? I'd renegotiate my salary if I were you ;)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I don't call it self-martying, I call it loyalty and responsibility.

I knew hiring into an ER hospital position, that I would be expected to work regardless of the weather. Yes, sometimes it is inconvenient.

Today for example, it started snowing about 45 minutes before I left for work. It took me a little longer, but I made it. Had I called in citing weather, who would have taken take of the three Level 2 traumas we had?

Our ED was getting slammed - another day with no lunch or break to pee! If I had called in, what a slap in the face to my coworkers who were just as harried!

It is an individual choice only you can make.

Agree. If you wanted, you could have become a librarian, a teacher, grounds keeper, or other worker where they close shop in foul weather. But you chose to be a nurse in a hospital, no less. As hospital workers, we make a conscious decision to take employment in a place we know well, operates 24/7/365, never closing ----even in bad weather. Maybe another choice or venue is what is needed for those who feel bad weather alone is an excuse to call out, automatically. The rationale that other businesses were closed does not fly. People get sick; babies are born no matter what the weather is---and folks tend to actually flood our doors when it's bad. SOMEBODY has to handle it. We were hired to do so, and so we should do our best. Blocking incidents are one thing. Snow, another. We most often have notice when bad weather is coming and therefore, have the opportunity to make arrangements. That is not our employers' responsibility, but our own.

Now doing the best we can to get to work in lousy conditions, is not being a martyr. It's doing what we are hired to do and considering others have the same pressing concerns (daycare and safety) that we do.

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Specializes in ER/ ICU.

I never realized how many negative responses I would get by asking such a simple question. I'm sorry but I don't feel my job is worth my life and I am sorry for those who do.

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Not everyone has a snowmobile.

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I never realized how many negative responses I would get by asking such a simple question. I'm sorry but I don't feel my job is worth my life and I am sorry for those who do.

I think you have the right perspective. Years ago I might have agreed with the above responses but not anymore.

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Lots of people do it. In fact lots of hospitals either provide beds or pay for hotel rooms for staff. They'd rather be out that money than paying for travelers or dealing with the repercussions of night shift nurses working several hours over. All it would take would be one malpractice suit (due to inadequate staffing or errors from sleep deprivation) to bring the hospital to paying for nights at the Ritz;)

BTW, where do you you work that you are paid so poorly and hotels cost so much that you couldn't find a place for less than 2-3 hours' pay? I'd renegotiate my salary if I were you ;)

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.

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Loyalty to God, Loyalty to Country, Loyalty to Family, Loyalty to Yourself, Loyalty to you Friends and lastly is Loyalty to you job. Responsibility to you God, Responsibility to your Country, Responsibility to your Family, Responsibility to Youself, Responsibility to your Friends, and lastly again is Responsibility to your job. Note I did not capitalize job becasue of all the responsiblities that is the LEAST important responsibility and loyalty one should have and in a healthy person it is the LAST thing that they should have.

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