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 ?
All in town employees are expected to be there; they are more flexible with employees who live in rural areas, which seems fair to me.
I'm in the midwest, and the only time I called in for weather was during an ice storm when a tree fell on my car. They told me if they were short, they would send the police or fire/medical for me. I told them not to bother, fire and medical were at my house because the tree also took down a bunch of live wires. After the repair guys from the electric company took care of business, the fire truck drove me to work.
And that's the plan. If we can't get out but live in town, the police or fire and medical will come and get us.
It's a hospital. It can't run without staff. We're essential employees, like the police and fire/medical. My vehicle is appropriate for my geographical area, it's in good condition, I have experience driving in snow and ice, and like I said, I've only called in once, but still managed to get there. If your area routinely gets large amounts of snow, you (and your facility) should have a plan in the event of terrible weather. You should make every reasonable attempt to get there, and the facility should make every reasonable attempt to call off employees who live farther away, and/or offer reasonable lodging for those who can stay (or who can't leave!).
My vehicle is appropriate for my geographical area, it's in good condition, I have experience driving in snow and ice, and like I said, I've only called in once, but still managed to get there. If your area routinely gets large amounts of snow, you (and your facility) should have a plan in the event of terrible weather. You should make every reasonable attempt to get there, and the facility should make every reasonable attempt to call off employees who live farther away, and/or offer reasonable lodging for those who can stay (or who can't leave!).
1. My area which hardly ever gets snow or ice nor is it prepared to deal with snow or ice (see previous post)
2. My car also is appropriate for my geograhical area which hardly ever gets snow or ice.
3. I suck at driving in snow or ice (see #1)
As you can see I'm a menace on the road in snow or ice and should be REQUIRED to stay home
I didn't read through all the posts, but I know getting to work in my area has been hell this week. I'm from Louisiana and this is my first winter in Kentucky, so I had the learn to adapt quickly. It usually takes me about 25 mins to get to work and with the ice on the roads it's taken me anywhere from 45mins to an hour to get there. They excused people being late the 1st day but after that we were all expected to adapt. My poor pregnant fiancee moved up here from Louisiana Monday and she hasn't even attempted to leave the house. She told me today if I were anyone else she'd have hightailed it back to Louisiana already.
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
I didn't read through all the posts, but I know getting to work in my area has been hell this week. I'm from Louisiana and this is my first winter in Kentucky, so I had the learn to adapt quickly. It usually takes me about 25 mins to get to work and with the ice on the roads it's taken me anywhere from 45mins to an hour to get there. They excused people being late the 1st day but after that we were all expected to adapt. My poor pregnant fiancee moved up here from Louisiana Monday and she hasn't even attempted to leave the house. She told me today if I were anyone else she'd have hightailed it back to Louisiana already.
Not to worry- this current weather situation is totally not normal for KY. It's been a weird year for us, weather-wise. First, Hurricane Ike made it all the way up here, then this ice storm. I have heard that there is a chance we'll be getting a blizzard next week, too.
I plan on going in to work in the morning, but I live in the metro area.
Yea I've been assured by all my friends up here this isn't normal. I'm not worried about myself, I'm gonna be a nervous wreck next week when my girl starts working up here, she's got to commute over Louisville from Lexington. That's when getting to work in the weather will bother me. But the storms and cold sure don't sit well with my Louisiana blood either. Luckily driving in mud kinda helps you prepare for ice.
Here, that means we send everyone home early and cancel school. Fire up the fireplaces and woodstoves and go ice fishing. There? I think it's different.
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Goodness, BBFRN, you guys are getting a BLIZZARD?
Here, that means we send everyone home early and cancel school. Fire up the fireplaces and woodstoves and go ice fishing. There? I think it's different.
We've already been doing that all week. Snow & ice everywhere. Power & water are out all over the state.
It's been crazy down here. FEMA & the Red Cross are here.
Luckily, a lot of people here have generators. We lose power a LOT. And we're small enough that the Red Cross isn't much needed. We take each other in. Hey, it's a village.
I live up on a steep hill. If its terrible in the morning, I'm not going to risk my life or limb to get there! I call in plenty of time and tell them I will be in ASAP!
Hmmm, I wonder how well you will sleep that day in your future....
YOU are the NM. Your staff *knows* this about you. Your nurses do arrive....one at a time, in pieces and dead. The nurses who didn't want to stay any longer come back.....in pieces and dead. How would you live with yourself then?
OR that day your arrogance gets you in that accident with your child(ren) dead in the back seat!
There *ARE* times where it is absolutely TOO dangerous. I remember that 5' deep snow on my driveway and the radio announcements that ANYONE on the road would be ARRESTED.
Physicians routinely do 24+hr shifts in a hospital. There are times when the BEST decision to make is to keep the nurses on shift THERE safe and caring for patients and tell the other nurses to stay a home where they will live to care for patients another day!
Sorry to offend. Not a nurse manager, never intend to be a nurse manager. Just a staff RN. By all means if you wish take a day PTO, call off that's fine. If you are not comfortable driving to work, stay home. I just see many individuals who call off then get upset because they obtain reminders for doing so. Once again it's all about choices. I have stayed over many times for coworkers who need to arrive late for numerous reasons, not just weather. Not a problem. But to expect me to work a 24 hour shift in an Intensive Care environment taking care of critically ill patients is dangerous. As healthcare workers in a hospital we are essential personell, that's my point.
I also think there is a big difference between people who don't plan for a few inches of snow and people who honestly can't safely make it (how often does 5' happen?) Obviously none of us want our co-workers dead (in pieces? dramatic?)
In most snow cases, you can get there safely with planning. Certainly extreme weather can create exceptions.
queenjean
951 Posts
All in town employees are expected to be there; they are more flexible with employees who live in rural areas, which seems fair to me.
I'm in the midwest, and the only time I called in for weather was during an ice storm when a tree fell on my car. They told me if they were short, they would send the police or fire/medical for me. I told them not to bother, fire and medical were at my house because the tree also took down a bunch of live wires. After the repair guys from the electric company took care of business, the fire truck drove me to work.
And that's the plan. If we can't get out but live in town, the police or fire and medical will come and get us.
It's a hospital. It can't run without staff. We're essential employees, like the police and fire/medical. My vehicle is appropriate for my geographical area, it's in good condition, I have experience driving in snow and ice, and like I said, I've only called in once, but still managed to get there. If your area routinely gets large amounts of snow, you (and your facility) should have a plan in the event of terrible weather. You should make every reasonable attempt to get there, and the facility should make every reasonable attempt to call off employees who live farther away, and/or offer reasonable lodging for those who can stay (or who can't leave!).