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

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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 ?

Okay, I've been on both sides of this argument...I actually ended up having to go to the doctor because I was injured trying to get to work on time when I worked LTC. They didn't CARE about how you got there...you HAD to be there. No ifs, ands, or butts.

But on the other hand, because the weather was so bad, I'd rather have stayed and knowing that someone ELSE wasn't risking their life trying to get to work. I care more about people's safety than how long I've been working, or if I'm going to be relieved by the next shift.

Isn't that what it means to be in heath care? To put everyone else first??

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Specializes in Geri, psych, TCU, neuro--AKA LTC.

I live in central MN, and snow and ice are commonplace from November thru April. I plan ahead. If we know a storm is coming and the roads will be bad, I pack a bag and plan to spend the night at work PRN (only 12 miles from home, but all back roads). In the past 8 years, I've only had to spend the night once, but I've had the bag packed several times just in case.

I have co-workers that live

Our former administrator, asst. administrator, and maintenance supervisor have given people rides to work during bad weather. Some "old-timers" even talk about the administrator picking them up on a snowmobile! Short distance of course.

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VERY CAREFULLY!

Now that I can relate too.:yeah:

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Specializes in ER.
I remember a few years ago my husband and I had just finished travelling from Ottawa canada to Vancouver in a monte carlo to a base. When we arrived we found ourselves in the middle of a "snow storm" (in reality it was 3 inches of snow and would have been called a flurry in Montreal but the county did not have any snowplows no one had shovels and no one had snow tires) British columbia was declared a national emergency.

"Awww, the poor folks from BC, shovelling snow in their Birkenstocks..."

Rick Mercer- in Halifax at the time.:yeah:

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I missed 4 days in 23 years due to weather. My facility used to give staff a hard time for being late - I told my manager, "Fine, I'll just call off." She decided late was okay (30 miles one way.) But in this area, if the State Highway Patrol declares an emergency, nurses WILL be arrested for being on the road, especially if they have closed a road due to preceived danger. And there is no hotel within 15 miles of the hospital I worked for, so not an option.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
I missed 4 days in 23 years due to weather. My facility used to give staff a hard time for being late - I told my manager, "Fine, I'll just call off." She decided late was okay (30 miles one way.) But in this area, if the State Highway Patrol declares an emergency, nurses WILL be arrested for being on the road, especially if they have closed a road due to preceived danger. And there is no hotel within 15 miles of the hospital I worked for, so not an option.

I would not even consider going in if the state declared emergency and you weren't legally allowed on the road. Would your car insurance cover any accidents in that situation? And not local hotel? No way would I attempt it.

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... I live in an area where we get alot of snow in the winter. I decided to try to work as close to home as possible (for starters). I also be sure to leave VERY much earlier than usual to compensate for the delays (common sense). I also tend to prefer the local roads to the highways because I can drive slower... I trust MY driving in the snow- I don't trust the other idiots out there. ;) The rest is just blind luck. Not much else you can do. LOL

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Okay, I've been on both sides of this argument...I actually ended up having to go to the doctor because I was injured trying to get to work on time when I worked LTC. They didn't CARE about how you got there...you HAD to be there. No ifs, ands, or butts.

But on the other hand, because the weather was so bad, I'd rather have stayed and knowing that someone ELSE wasn't risking their life trying to get to work. I care more about people's safety than how long I've been working, or if I'm going to be relieved by the next shift.

Isn't that what it means to be in heath care? To put everyone else first??

I'm right there with you- I'd rather stay if the weather were that bad. Around here, "that bad" means level 2 snow emergency or worse where you really don't have much of an option because you are told not to drive unless absolutely necessary. I'd rather stay and be safe and allow someone else to be safe for not having to come in- and work while I was there since I'm there anyway.

However- no- being in health care doesn't mean to put everyone else first- that is the recipe for burn out. Just like in an airplane- one has to put their own mask on first, so they *can* take care of others.... It doesn't do anyone any good if we burn out or run out of gas- we have to keep our own tanks filled up to be effective caregivers for anyone else. MHO.

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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.

... If it were that bad that they were closing roads, chances are the cops would be told to stay the heck off of the roads too unless absolutely necessary... Are there nursing positions where it's THAT vital that you get to work that the cops would come escort you in a snow emergency where the roads were closed? Would they also be taking whomever you were relieving *home*? What about the actual accidents and other things they'd need to be doing? They have alot better things to do with their time than playing taxi driver... And- have you ever seen how cops drive? There's no way I'd entrust my life to them in that situation LOL! ;)

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Specializes in CVICU.
... I trust MY driving in the snow- I don't trust the other idiots out there. ;) The rest is just blind luck. Not much else you can do. LOL

AMEN to that! I don't know how many times I'm going along at a reasonable speed (the roads are slick after all), and some jack @ss in an SUV runs right by me, nearly running me off the road. I always get a kick out of this when, a little down the road, I see them stuck in the ditch.

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AMEN to that! I don't know how many times I'm going along at a reasonable speed (the roads are slick after all), and some jack @ss in an SUV runs right by me, nearly running me off the road. I always get a kick out of this when, a little down the road, I see them stuck in the ditch.

OH yeah! ;) Or pulled over by a disgruntled looking cop :lol2::yeah:

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

Woo hoo!! 73 glorious degrees here yesterday and this week is supposed to be nearly as glorious!! No worries about snow storms :D

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