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

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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 ?

Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

I'm "management" and am expected to show up on time. Fortunately snow is not a big issue around here. BUT, I sure would like to sit home in my jammies drinking cocoa and watching cancellations on TV! (cause I love snow!) :snowflake:

Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

I have driven into work during blizzard warnings in the the past. I drive very carefully and pack emergency supplies in my car. I do not have four wheel drive and you would be amazed what a little four cylinder will get through. However, where I live has very few hills. Going down hill on ice, I would not do it. That is too dangerous in my book.

Specializes in LTC.
I'm "management" and am expected to show up on time. Fortunately snow is not a big issue around here. BUT, I sure would like to sit home in my jammies drinking cocoa and watching cancellations on TV! (cause I love snow!) :snowflake:

I've been home sittin in my jammies drinkin hot coco for the last two days now. Being snowed in is not fun. However, I'm glad to enjoy it while I can. When I start bootcamp, I mean my next semester of nursing school next week I'm going to wish I was home snowed in doing nothing. :redpinkhe:yawn:

Specializes in Psychiatric, Detox/Rehab, Geriatrics.
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 ?

I would say, try your best to get to work on time, but if you can't, then get there in the safest way possible, take your time. Personally, I would want my co-workers to be safe and not kill themselves trying to get to work. Also, as I used to work nights, I know that staying over a couple hours due to your relief nurse getting there late due to the snow is much better than having to work the whole shift, due to your co-worker getting in an accident and not being able to make it in at all. Safety first.

Specializes in med/surg, ICU.

I have lived in PA all my life so I am well aware of how the weather is here. Knowing this and being a nurse, I would never purchase a vehicle that is not 4WD or AWD. I just take it slow when there is snow and ice. At my institution you will not get paid if you call off due to snow.

Specializes in Certified Diabetes Educator.

If you are scheduled to work, you are expected to be there----period. So, when the weather report says that there is a good chance that ice or snow are coming and I have to work, I get a room at the hotel next to the hospital. I also keep a suitcase packed and in my car in case I end up having to stay. I live 32 miles one way from the hospital and the roads are hilly and curvy. Not condusive to ice and snow travel even with 4 wheel drive. Thank goodness ice and snow are not all the time.

I'm a night shift nurse and I often get stuck working when people can't make it in to work. I'd rather work a double than have somebody crash their car, although, unfortunately, the people who call in are not usually the ones who should. I have to laugh my butt off when somebody in town calls in three days in a row due to weather and another person drives in 40 miles every day.:yeah:I have been known to call people at home and tell them if they tried to drive in, I'd be personally waiting to kick their ***. I have a unique philosophy that some of my employers have not shared--I believe that a nurse's well-being is just as important as a hospital's money patients.

If its only a snow storm we are expected to show up on time. However around here bad weather in the winter = ICE. A totally different creature. You can not drive on ice. Period. Most cant even walk on it. A well know local sports broadcaster slipped on the ice a day or so ago and is now in the icu with a subdural hematoma. Fortunately my employer understands the danger icy roads are to the general public and the employees and tries to make appropriate arrangements BEFORE the storm hits.

Four wheel drive and leave early. I always have made it in to work on snow days ( and icing conditions).

Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

Once we were expecting inclement weather and my NM sought each of us out to tell us to leave early enough to be at work on time. I sweetly told him that I'd make sure to drive SAFELY as well. :selfbonk:

Just last week our area was snowed in and I heard that many stayed the night in vacant patient rooms because the hospital no longer pays for hotel accomodations.

If you are scheduled to work, you are expected to be there----period. So, when the weather report says that there is a good chance that ice or snow are coming and I have to work, I get a room at the hotel next to the hospital. I also keep a suitcase packed and in my car in case I end up having to stay. I live 32 miles one way from the hospital and the roads are hilly and curvy. Not condusive to ice and snow travel even with 4 wheel drive. Thank goodness ice and snow are not all the time.

Same here. Or with adequate time to drive over 30 miles snow-covered mountain roads. And an overnighter for the second-shifters who noticed an hour before 3 that, like, omigosh! I can't drive!

Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
Our hospital requires all nurses and "essential" employees to get to work on time. We are near mass transit and they open up rooms/beds for people to stay over if need be. They also offer free meals to employees if it's really bad.

If we had this kind of set up, then it would be reasonable to expect clinical personnel to work their designated shifts regardless of weather. There is NO PLACE to sleep. Our lounge is used as a storage area.

We had mad miserable weather beginning last night. I got my shift covered well in advance when I saw this coming by an angel whom I owe. Every winter I stress over whether my winter driving skills are going to conquer the challenge nature, hills and badly maintained roads present. I take it one day at a time, one storm at a time, absolutely hate to call off but will do so if need be. It awes me that many make it to work all things being equal and live to tell about it the next day and the next year, no matter what. They've got steel ones.

+ Add a Comment