How to get to work in a snowstorm?

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Feb 7, 2007

...now I live in SC and when I was hired at the hospital I work at I was told if there was a hurricane or bad weather you were expected to come in regardless and if you tried to call out you were terminated on the spot and reported to the board that you abanded your pts....

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.

It is the same in SC as well - My guess is that the hospital was banking on the nurses not knowing the position of the BON well enough to realize that the hospital was blowing smoke. I don't take kindly to hollow threats from employers either.

lorster · Feb 7, 2007

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.

Man, do you feel a bit attacked? Someone on this thread has decided to sit high on her marble perch and all but tell you that you are a horrible employee because you just happen to value your life and your safety above that of an employer who does not give a rats a$$ about you or your safety.

To Kate1114, not is all perfect in the nursing world and you think you have all the answers. Not all of us living in hospitalville where there is a hospital on every corner. Some of us have to commute long distances because the pay is crappy which forces us to live away from the city. Not everyone wants to jump on a bad highway in a snowstorm and risk their life for a job. You know nothing about AfloydRN who may be a single parent and finding a sitter in that situation is not always easy to do. You need to come off your high nursing horse and start acting like the compassionate person the nursing school taught you to be.

SitcomNurse, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN · Feb 7, 2007

I say poop on it all. No job is worth risking my life, and they drive NUTS in NY, forgeddaboutit when it snows. People think AWD means they WONT skid/hydroplane or otherwise end up off the road. I drive an AWD vehicle, and live on LongIsland.. they draft the plows!!! They race the cops!!!

Im still callin in for my 45 minute drive to work. Heck, im callin in for my 20 minute drive too. You should see my kids, I plan to.

matchstickxx · Feb 7, 2007

Snow in the upper Midwest in the Winter is not unexpected. On the flip side of the coin....what were your plans if you had been at work when the snowstorm started and the highway was closed while you were at work?

My point is if you accept a position at a hospital so far from home you must be prepared to make an honest effort to be there for your scheduled shift. You also need to be prepared to be "stuck there" in case the next guy or gal can't get to work during inclement weather. If you think this will be an ongoing issue throughout this season, talk to your manager about it now. If this is just a one season problem until you move closer this Spring, your manager may be willing to work something out with you.

kate1114 · Feb 7, 2007

Man, do you feel a bit attacked? Someone on this thread has decided to sit high on her marble perch and all but tell you that you are a horrible employee because you just happen to value your life and your safety above that of an employer who does not give a rats a$$ about you or your safety.
To Kate1114, not is all perfect in the nursing world and you think you have all the answers. Not all of us living in hospitalville where there is a hospital on every corner. Some of us have to commute long distances because the pay is crappy which forces us to live away from the city. Not everyone wants to jump on a bad highway in a snowstorm and risk their life for a job. You know nothing about AfloydRN who may be a single parent and finding a sitter in that situation is not always easy to do. You need to come off your high nursing horse and start acting like the compassionate person the nursing school taught you to be.

Hey hon, never said I had all the answers. Just wanted to see if the OP had even tried to find a way to go to work, or just decided she didn't want to try. I never advocated even driving in the snow. If you actually read any of my posts I advocated getting there ahead of time. And when the OP stated that even the libraries were closed (heaven forbid) and that she had no idea what the repercussions were for missing work (remember there's no "policy") then I suggested that she talk to someone to find out what would happen to her if she had to call in repeatedly. Yes, Virginia, there is snow in Michigan.

I've been surprised at how many people are astonished that they might be needed at the hospital. How many of you work day shift? Ever worked a 15 hour night with no end in sight because day shift couldn't make it in? What about working hours on end because some people on days, knowing that there was a massive storm coming in, knowing that the roads were totally clear when they went to bed, chose to stay home and drink cocoa? When we had our 16 inch snowfall, the snow didn't even start until 11pm. The highways closed at around 2am, and were opened around 9am. There were a few people who called in later than they would have left on a normal day, leaving us high and dry.

So just remember, the next time that you don't even try to make arrangements, that you are leaving the previous shift in a precarious position. And we have kids, too.

You're right I know nothing about the OP, and my questions to her went unanswered. She never said if she had anyone else to help with kids (outside of the babysitter), or if she ever talked to her manager or HR or anything. I know that if I had a problem getting to work, I'd want to make sure that I wasn't jeopardizing my career that I've worked so hard for. But that's just me.

So I apologize if I've offended anyone for advocating that we take a little personal responsibility. We all knew what we signed up for, and it should be no surprise that hospitals don't close for the weather. I know that I'd hate to know that my loved one was in a hospital being cared for by a skeleton crew or by an entire shift of people who were exhausted with no relief in sight.

And for the record, my concern is NOT for the employer, but for the many nurses who had to pull together to work her precious shift, and for the patients who were left in the lurch. Obviously, they don't matter in this "it's all about me" atmosphere.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Feb 7, 2007

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?

If they're truly interested in having you there, they'll send someone to get you...assuming that's even possible.

We have a few icy days every couple of years here in North Texas, and of course you're expected to be here if you're scheduled..but some people who live in rural areas can't make it for one reason or another. That leaves those of us here to pick up the slack...not a problem really, but it can make for a very long shift.

If you feel unsafe travelling out in inclement weather the likes you describe, then DON'T do it. Call in as soon as you know you won't make it (at least 2 hours in advance of your shift) and say...you know what? I'm not going to be able to make it because ....

A few years ago we had a particularly bad ice storm, and only 2 nurses from the day shift made it to work, so many of us stuck it out and worked a shift and a half (20 hours). It happens. You get through it, and you move on. Oh, but you better get some kudos from those administrators who decided not to come in either!!

I'd call the hospital and tell them "hey, you want me there, find a way to get me there"...even if they have to bring you in in a cab, it's cheaper than a lawsuit from inadequate staffing. That's what they'll do for you here.

Stay safe, everyone.

vamedic4

softstorms · Feb 7, 2007

O.K. here goes....I lived up north... and in the winter we would get a call that a blizzard was coming and when we came in, we would be expected to stay for 3 days. Bring what you need. If a the end of 3 days, it was still bad, road crews would carry us back home after bringing in new staff. I now live in the south, and we plan the same. I also know that if I was at work and pt. safty was my best concern, I would be there, but if I had children and family that needed me, I would make them my first concern by not commiting myself to the work place first.

burn out · Feb 7, 2007

Today we are snowed in..it is the coldest temps so far this century and all schools are closed and roads are still covered. If I had to work today I would feel sick.

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2007

It is bitterly cold and snowy here too this morning - once again! Add some ice under that snow as well! Unsafe driving - probably. One of the risks of living in the Midwest.

It always amazes me that people act surprised and perplexed by our weather. I have lived here for 43 years - it snows folks! It always has, it always will! Have a plan.

I am glad I don't work with some of you posters. If I did, it sounds like I would be there for a week until the road is cleared and the sun is shining.

If you don't want to work, don't go. Just don't ask for validation from me. I have a family and obligations also. I am just one of those that feel responsible for taking care of those people who end up in the hospital.

Can you imagine heading to your ED with a child with a hot appy or a husband having a MI? Sorry we took the day off - too much snow!

russ11 · Feb 7, 2007

I have been a nurse for 27 years...I have never not been able to get to work because of weather. I rarely call in for any reason. In the last 17 years have only been out only 5 days usually with sick kids. That said here are a few of my experiences. Once I was at the hospital when the snow hit...policy said they could hold us for until next shift arrived. I worked 16 hours ...hospital refused to feed us because the patient cafeteria couldn't figure out how to charge us...patients were giving us food off their trays...worked 24 hours like this until staff revolted and someone called a local radio station that shamed the hospital into feeding us. Worked 16 hours/day for 3 days...we were allowed 8 hour off to sleep and shower ...after 3 days when I was told I could leave the floor I went to my car, put on boots and walked 4.5 miles home. Once EMS brought us into the hospital ...stayed 2 days working 16 hours/day...hospital refused to get us home ...had to pay a cab. Hospital required those who didn't have enough money to sign IOU"s for meals from cafeteria. Once I went in on Friday ahead of the storm and got a hotel room with 3 other nurses (150.00 for 2 days split between 4 of us) Worked 16 hours for 2 days. All Administrators and physicians were reimbursed for the hotel but not nurses. 4 nurses for 2 days for $150.00 seemed like a bargin to me...won't do that again. Once was involved in a wreck with a new car when someone slid into me while coming to work to help out (on my day off ) because people further away couldn't make it in ...car badly damaged...2 weeks in the body shop ...$500.00 deductible...won't do that again either . Ever notice that nurses are expected to be on the job but ...all "non essential personnel" are not expected to come ie, laundry, housekeeping, secretaries, operators... are exempt. Often Administrators are not even required to come...they should be required to come and pick up the slack for all the non-essential people they have allowed to stay home...answering phones , getting laundry , passing meal trays.....after all if we don't need them then why do we hire them... For me these are all lessons learned...I will probably still continue to come but I expect the hospital not taking good care of me while I am there... Our administration learned the hard way that if you need to treat staff well because it snows every year and if you don't take care of your staff they won't make the effort to come in ....lkast year administration was in cooking breakfast and putting pizza on the corporate credit card (they struck a deal with local Papa Johns). I have learned "you get what you settle for" They expect me to come.I expect to have plenty of food, supplies, and someone besides me to answer the phone...I also expect the folks that make the big decisions and the big bucks to be on the sinking ship with me.

My plan: I keep blankets, boots, bottled water and plenty of snack food in my car. I pack an overnight bag with shampoo, hairdryer, clothes as well as extra scrubs. If they pick me up I get the name of the administrator who is going to see that I get home. I work in the ER...there is nothing I can't or won't do. I let them know I am always available for staffing issues but if it is not safe to drive, they have to get me there , feed me and get me home...this is non negotiable. And for the record, you can not be fired for abandonment if you have not assumed the care of the patient.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 7, 2007

I currently live in IL but have lived in the interior of Alaska too. At any rate, the weather folks are getting really good. If I'm scheduled to work, I go in ahead of the storm if possible.

In Dec, we had 14 inches of snowfall during the night. I started out two hours early (it usually takes me 45 minutes to get to work), had plenty of blankets, water, cell phone, some munchies in my car and off I went. Yes, I made it (with 30 minutes to spare). It was very hard, but I went slow and did it. This is only the latest little experience.

This is what you do when you live in places where there is snow. If I lived in Florida, I would plan for hurricanes. Nursing is all about being prepared. My husband is now a school teacher but for 23 years was in the Air Force. He would have been the laughing stock of the entire unit if he had said he couldn't get to work because of the weather.

I do agree that you don't put yourself in danger. However, I drive an AWD vehicle, keep it maintained and am very careful. I also live in a rural area so help is not always readily available. Its all about planning.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 7, 2007

Its all about planning.

Bottom line. Plan ahead. Weather reports give us a pretty good idea what is to come. We can plan for these things and have a contingency ready in these cases.