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 ?

Lucky you. We have a snowstorm going on now over the pass w/zero visability. Took my boss 3 hours to get there where it would only be a 45 minute drive. Now its my turn. yuck. Fortunately I have SUV and 4 wheel drive WHICH I drive very carefully and slow and yes I too hate those drivers that zoom past you saying hey I got a 4 wheel drive mentality and can go thru anything. Makes it harder for those of us that try to get somewhere safely.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

I'm really concerned!!

I'm going to Orlando this weekend....what are the chances of getting snowed in?!? ;)

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.
I'm really concerned!!

I'm going to Orlando this weekend....what are the chances of getting snowed in?!? ;)

Truern, TRULY ROTTEN!:D:lol2:

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

All wheel drive. Drive slow. Leave very early. Don't freak out when people in SUVs pass you going 80mph. All wheel drive. All wheel drive.

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I have had to use a sheriff before but the only time I didn't make it to work was once ...I made it to the hospital and fell in the parking lot and broke my leg

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Specializes in Long term care, med surg, pediatrics, OB.

I would have to agree with all the other recent posts...In Wisconsin we DON'T get snowed in. There isn't such a thing. I worked at a hospital last winter that was an hour away...there were some really "exciting" trips there in the ice and snow let me tell you. Your patients are still there when you make it in. A call to your charge telling him/her you will be late (if that's the case) and leaving with plenty of wiggle time if things get sticky.

I do have a four wheel drive but that doesn't matter much when there is ice and you don't slow down. Obviously your employer doesn't want you to put yourself in danger but weather shouldn't really count as a valid excuse. Unless you're swept up in a Tornado....or have ice storms in normally warm climates...

I also have to comment on finding humor in watching those crazy drivers fly by at Mach 80.....only to see them in the ditch miles up the road...just because you have four wheel drive doesn't make you god!

:bowingpur

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Specializes in OB.
I'm really concerned!!

I'm going to Orlando this weekend....what are the chances of getting snowed in?!? ;)

Hey I managed to get snowed in in Phoenix one time, so I guess anything is possible!

The mountains passes north of Phoenix between there and my work in northeastern AZ were closed by snow, so I actually had to call in to the hospital and and tell them I was snowed in in Phoenix. Luckily, since the roads there were solid ice, they said "Don't even try - we want live nurses when this is over" and since all of the staff lived on the compound of the hospital there was no shortage.

Actually, I seem to be a "weird weather" magnet - I also managed to be on a flight that was fogbound in Albuquerque.

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I have only missed one day because of weather. About 10 years ago I was sipping on a glass of wine watching the snow fall thankful that I was off the next four days. We got about 10 inches of snow and then the temperatures plummeted to near zero.

I lived in an apartment at the time and the management was pretty good about getting the lot plowed. Well, by the end of day four our complex was still not plowed. Also, day four was the last day the hospital was offering to go out and pick up staff. I was so embarrassed to call in FIVE days after the snowstorm but I was about six blocks inside the complex and the parking lot was littered with cars of neighbors who tried to get out and were stuck. The lot got plowed about 11AM on day 5 and I got my car shoveled out from the snow plow job about three hours later.

Oh, a couple of actual driving tips my stepfather gave me when I learned how to drive...Take your foot off of the accelerator or brake as you go over a bridge, railroad crossing or icy patch on the road. Also, on turns or curves don't accelerate until you are coming out of the curve. And of course leave los of room between you and the next guy.

Now, I drive a 4WD vehicle. I take it slow and watch the weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Except for the above mentioned day, I have not missed any shifts of work due to weather and have only been a few minutes late a couple of times. Don't get me wrong. I hate driving in bad weather, but if I called in every time the roads were slippery or predicted to be slippery I would be out of PTO by the beginning of March.

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Over here in the uk we had some bad snow a week and a half ago.I pulled on my wellies and i walked the mile to work in over 4inches of snow! Why? because my mentor was going to do my assessment and all our HCA/CSW (support workers) were all on a training day so despite not being counted in the numbers i knew that i would be needed and i was.That day we had 24 patients with 3 nurses and myself plus one bank HCA.

A lot of staff could have made in later during the day when the roads were cleared but they chose not to. My shift which was supposed to be 7-3 turned into a 7-7.

A lot of people used the snow as an excuse not to come in

Another local hospital has said that all those who took the day off work would not get paid for it and that it counted as holiday

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Specializes in Orthopaedics, Nursing Education.

If the majority of staff who live out of town cannot make it due to inclement weather it's usually an excused absence, that being said, most of us who live out of town leave earlier, take our time & try to make it in. I do have to navigate a few treacherous hills on the way to work (one just to get out of my town) and have found if it's very icy I will wait till later in the morning after the sand/salt trucks have been out. I realize there are others who are at work "waiting" for me to come in, but I know how I would feel if I were the night nurse waiting for my coworker to come in and found out later they were killed trying to get to work in bad weather, and yes that has happened.

I think it's a matter of common sense, going slow and being careful. Also, plan ahead. If you know a bad storm is blowing in and you have to work, make arrangements to get to your work location ahead of time so you can be on time.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

This thread is old and done to death but since it's winter again, just HAD to resurrect it :)

This is my 5th winter in the North and I've manned up to the situation. I have my 4 brand new Blizzaks, moved off of the hill from hell, and have an outpatient M-F days only job. I fell much better prepared this year.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

I hate, hate, hate driving in the snow, but I have never missed a work day because of it. I'm not a experienced driver at all and snow just makes it more difficult, but I do drive very slowly, and let all of the other very mad drivers in back of me drive around. I know if I try to keep up with everyone else I would probably end up killing myself or someone else. But every winter I have been bearing with the snow and other drivers to make it to work for my coworkers and patients.

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