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?

This post makes me nervous. As a student, there have been times when the weather was awful and without a car I rely on bus transportation. I hope that if I work in a snowy area that I have these options....but what If I don't? I'm def going to ask about policies and if they'll pick people up...lol

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

:smackingf Go to work in a blizzard? not. No job is worth my life. In fact I called in today. We have gotten about 4 feet of snow since Friday. My agency totally understood. And the mom of the little guy I take care of, she called to make sure I was ok. Their is no amount of money worth my life. I have been a nurse 27 years, no employer expected me to drive to work in nasty weather. I'm not talking about a little storm, I also have 4 wheel drive. But a no unnecessary travel order was in place, and driving 40 miles to work in a blizzard was not necessary. Oh and the highway I take to my case? It was closed. Afloyd, relax, I agree with you.:smiletea:

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Specializes in ER.

I am speaking as someone who lives in an area that gets regular storms every year. Sure, if the highway is blocked, you can't get in. If there are downed power lines in your way, you have to turn around. However, if you land in the ditch, call a tow truck, if your driveway is blocked, have it plowed. You'd have to do those things anyway, so make sure they are done in time to get to work. Obtaining a babysitter is a parental responsibility that doesn't change just because the snow flies. When you live in a snowy area you need to be able to cope with the weather. For me that means having studded snow tires from Oct to April, and allowing twice the normal time to get anywhere. If you are unhappy about driving, stay over at the hospital to minimize your exposure to the bad weather, and if you know that once or twice a year you will want to stay over- pack for it and keep provisions in your car.

I disagree with posters that say if they are uncomfortable drinving they will stay home. You can't live your life in dread of what might happen. If you are really nervous, go out during the next storm to the school parking lot and experiment with stopping and turning until you are comfortable. It is really a skill and you can learn if you give it a shot. If you have accepted a job that will require your prescence even in bad weather you have made a committment to show up. If you can't fufill the promise, find a clinic or MD office position.

BUT- big but- any hospital that says you must come in even though the police have closed all the roads to the hospital is plumb crazy. If they do not allow workers to stay overnight or provide them with a cheap motel- well, sorry, if I go home after requesting accomodations then I may not be back. It's a two way street, and they should be making an effort for the employees that are making an effort to be there.

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any hospital that says you must come in even though the police have closed all the roads to the hospital is plumb crazy.

exactly

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I have to agree that no job is worth risking your life. I've personally never missed work because of snow....and I do live in a snowy area....but I'm lucky in that I don't have kids right now holding me at home. When I know a storm is coming I simply go to work the night before and just sleep there. It doesn't happen often at all, I think in 6 years I've slept there a total of 2 times when I knew the storms would be big, but that's about it. Once I have a family though, I'm sure that will be more difficult to do...and if I feel that the weather is too dangerous to go in, I simply won't. I'll be glad to make up that time at some point, but not at the expense of my health. :)

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

Perhaps some should look at work that does not involve going to a hospital. A lot of people depend on you there. Not just the patients but your coworkers. One last time, no one is asking you to perform miracles going to work. But a best effort is only fair. Blocking incidents and other such things are obvious barriers and cannot be helped. An impending storm, is something we can plan ahead for, however. And we should.

I will say, I am glad I work with people who make the effort to get in so I can be relieved when it's time to go. I, too have a family and loved ones at home depending on me and appreciate it when people try to get in so I can take of my family at home. To those who can't make it; we understand. But when you can, it's appreciated when you do, esp after 16 or more hours on the job.

Nursing is not easy. None of us go into this blind. Just do the best you can is all anyone can ask.

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If the highway is closed I can't see how they expect you to get to work. There is nothing you can do to control that.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
If the highway is closed I can't see how they expect you to get to work. There is nothing you can do to control that.

Again: That would be considered a "blocking incident" and an obvious legitmate barrier to going to work.

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.
i've gotten to work in a snowmobile, snow cat and on skis.

i love the fact that you've skiied to work. it just makes me happy.

last year i was working the one weekend we had a bad-ish snowstorm (anything over 1 inch and jersey freaks out!). i hadn't heard that snow was coming (oblivious, much?) and was caught off guard. i was driving an old car at the time, and it just wasn't safe. so i stayed over in an empty room. i slept on a window seat, wore hospital socks the next day and got scrubs from the nicu. i was well-rested and safe. and no one got mad at me for it.

granted, things might not be so forgiving this year. we're still in trouble for going on strike...

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

One other thing I have heard of: people getting together, sharing the cost of motel room. I know in Oklahoma, some did this. Also often hospitals let employees sleep in empty rooms or sleep rooms for this purpose. Just a couple things I know can help when a known storm is headed your way.

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Four years ago I was involved in a very bad accident caused by snow covered roads in blizzard conditions on my way to work. My young son was in the car so I could drop him off at the babysitter's house on my way in to work. We waited 8 hours for police/rescue on the highway. Car was totaled and I lost $7000.00 because it was a new SUV (4 wheel) and the blue book value didn't cover my costs.

I am changed forever by this experience. I evaluate my risk/benefit carefully. It would have to be a very special job/coworkers in order for me to take on this type of risk again. My present job is not one I would take a big risk for in order to keep. I will never again feel guilty for putting my job before my child's safety.

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Specializes in ER.

I got in accident going home from work last year and totalled my car. I couldn't see because the sun was coming up over the hill I was driving on so there was about 10 seconds that I had to go up the hill following the white line on the side of the road.

So on sunny days I have to take a roundabout route to get home just to avoid another crash. I still go to work though.

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