How do you manage to get to work in snow storms ?

[NurseLoveJoy88]

I'm just curious. Currently in my area we just had a huge snow/ice storm. Its unsafe to drive in this weather. Since I work for the school system so for the last two days I've been off from work, due to inclement weather. However, what is the policy for nurses at the hospitals or other facilities ?

My mom is a nurse, and today she was scheduled 7a-3p. I was worried for her. She told me that she ended up being 2 hours late due to the weather. Of course there was nothing her boss could say, because saftey is first.

So what is your hospitals policy for inclement weather ?

[cnabutnot]

I drive real careful, watch out for people who don't know how to drive in snow. If I think the pass (SR 160) will be closed I call NHP for road conditions and if it is closed I go the other way-about 50 miles further to work. If both passes are closed then I go home, call my boss who will be stranded on the other side of the pass and tell her the problem. Then I go home, fret over not being there and have a nice hot cup of cocoa, knowing that if I was supposed to be in snowstorm God wouldn't of set up so many roadblocks to stop me.

I found out later there was a real bad accident on 95, the same road and time I would of been there so now I am a believer. I trust my instincts.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

4 wheel drive SUV. Goes through anything.

[sunflrz321]

In my experience, going down a mountain covered in ice does not have good results, even with attempting to go slow (got to love gravity!) snow tires, and a 4X4.

With all the technology and great weather forecasters we have these days, there is NO REASON not to plan ahead. Stay at the bottom of the mountain the night before if need be, or swap shifts with another nurse who lives closer to the hospital.

And regarding the driving on ice issue, yes, it is doable. As long as you go slow and are not on a hill, you can do fine. People have done it for centuries, and will continue to do so. I also personally prefer to take the side roads rather than the expressways when it is icy, because people go so many different speeds on the expressway, where as they tend to go the same slow speed on the side streets.

[cnabutnot]

Whenever I find myself driving in on an icy road or covered with snow, I start to sing Childrens songs. It takes most of the tension away from my neck and keeps me focused on what I am trying to do...get home/work safely. I won't do anybody any good dead.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

So, another question is : Do you think its fair or right for you to be late to work due to bad whether, when the other nurses have made it in the whether ? How would you feels as a night nurse, having to stay over to wait for your coworker to come to work ?

Personally, my main concern would be my coworker's safety. I would never get upset if someone was late to relieve me due to the weather or any other emergency. As far as the OP, I make sure I have great tires and take my time. Inclement weather is not an acceptable excuse, the state police will bring you if need be.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

With all the technology and great weather forecasters we have these days, there is NO REASON not to plan ahead. Stay at the bottom of the mountain the night before if need be, or swap shifts with another nurse who lives closer to the hospital.

And regarding the driving on ice issue, yes, it is doable. As long as you go slow and are not on a hill, you can do fine. People have done it for centuries, and will continue to do so. I also personally prefer to take the side roads rather than the expressways when it is icy, because people go so many different speeds on the expressway, where as they tend to go the same slow speed on the side streets.

It's that hill part that makes the ice issue darned scary. I make a lot of fuss over it but, in truth, I have driven down the steep hill to my house in icy conditions more times than I care to count in my front wheel drive sports sedan. It's scary every time. I do watch the weather reports and try to swap shifts if ice is in the forecast. No one from work wants me to try that hill in bad conditions. They're fine if I'm late. I'm fine if they're late. We live in a very hilly area in SW Pennsylvania. I will come in early to avoid the worst part of a storm. Haven't missed a shift yet. I'm always looking for better ways to plan for winter weather and hate to be the one to make that phone call. But that hill... OMG. Snow's not too bad.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I think sheer luck has prevented me from needing to call off due to weather. Thankfully, there have never been icy conditions on workdays. I live on Elk mountain in PA, I am not going down that in an ice storm, no way! Snow, sure, ice, NOPE. Those that plan ahead and stay elsewhere if a storm is coming... What do you do with young kids if you have them? It isn't like you can leave them for days at a time with the neighbor or whatever. Does everyone pack up and live in a hotel near the hospital for a few days? That can get really expensive if it happens more than once a year. I couldn't have my whole family crash at a co-workers house.

[njsc]

After 30+ years in nursing you understand that the expectation is you go to work when scheduled, even in bad weather. Your coworkers rely on you to be on time & ready to go, so they may go home. Our hospital does as many others have listed, make rooms available for staff to stay in. I know others have arrangements for rides from the local authorities or maintainence department with 4 wheel drive vehicles. We've chosen a profession that functions, for the majority 24/7, we know that going in & learn to accept the good & bad of it. I guess you learn to drive in bad weather, my home care days taught me. Of course it doesn't mean we like it or wouldn't like it to be different!!

[wilbur's mom]

Hi!

I live near Buffalo,('nuff said) and once stayed at my nursing home as charge for 3 days. Biggest job was actually staffing the tray line and organizing one diet tech and myself to feed 125 people. Wow, that was challenging. The town cops and sheriff's dept. stayed in touch, drove back and forth to the county lines to tag team staff home and back to work and sent plows and cars to fetch staff willing to come in, and then take us home when the roads opened up. Our volunteer fire department offered snowmobile rides to anyone who wanted them. Our main road was almost a snow tunnel, they had to snow blow since the banks of snow were too high for the plows. True story. We used our emergency 3 day supply of meals according to our disaster plan, but calorie counts and diet restrictions were my decision.. "this looks good/enough/she'll enjoy this for a change" and in between meals, I was on the phone updating administration. Kind of scary looking back, to have the NF on my shoulders, but I was blessed that everyone helped out. We set up beds for staff on couches, conserved linen, the emergency generator worked, we had sing alongs and played cards in between our picnic meals. Boy, was I glad to get home.!

[njsc]

God Bless you Buffalo!!! I live in Pittsburgh, we don't get near the snow that you get!!! Thank goodness for the most part we look back on those adventures with humor & pride!

[jpRN84, BSN, RN]

Someone's safety is the first priority, so do what you gotta do to make that happen. Sometimes you have to look out for yourself though, not too many other people will look out for you.

[BroadwayRN, ASN, RN]

VERY CAREFULLY!