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 ?
I live outside of Chicago, where we get almost every type of weather there is... regularly- blizzards, ice storms, deep freezes, severe storms w/ 70mph winds, heat waves, tornadoes, etc. And I have NEVER missed a day of work due to inclement weather. And I've never had a car with 4WD, or ABS. I personally have NO SYMPATHY WHATSOEVER for those who call in due to inclement weather- what can I say, our motto here tends to be that bad weather builds character, and I find I sound like my mother when I say "Deal with it," and "No Whining!" The facility I work for has about the same attitude, and I don't fault them for it. They recently instituted double disciplinary penalties for anyone who calls in sick due to inclement weather- and I don't blame them.
The thing is, inclement weather ALMOST NEVER happens without advanced warning. So it follows that the best thing you can do to deal with it is to plan in advance- DAYS in advance if needed. Watch the weather forecasts, stock up on gas & food, pack an "emergency bag with clothes, food, blankets, etc," charge your cell phone, make sure you have a good shovel & a bucket of salt, arrange for back-up childcare if you suspect a snow day tomorrow, etc. We have had times where we need to shovel the driveway every 2 hours to keep on top of it & make sure it is passable in the morning- we take turns- sleep for 4 hours, then shovel (w/ 2 people, it is shoveled every 2 hours, & you can get a full 8 hours sleep if you go to bed early and still get to work in the morning). Be prepared for the pile of snow that develops at the end of your driveway when the snow plows clear your street & leave the snow on your driveway- if you don't stay on top of this, you can get stuck in it.
If you live too far away or past an often-impassible stretch of road, plan accordingly- there are almost always coworkers who live near the hospital, so crash on their couch/ guestbed/ etc for the night, or in a hotel, or whatever it takes. Or ask a friend or family member who lives closer if you can crash w/ them, or even stay w/ someone who just as a 4WD SUV who would be willing to drive you to work in their heartier car. If you work night shift- FYI- most on call rooms in hospitals are only used at night, so you can usually reserve them during the day & get a good night sleep there. The other thing you can do is arrange to swap shifts with someone who lives close to the hospital IN ADVANCE- I am always willing to do this for my coworkers as long as they give me at least 12hrs notice (and as a bonus, I get a day off when the roads are actually passable, and can get stuff done then!).
When I'm driving, I play music & sing along to get my mind off it, or say to myself "slow and steady wins the race," and "no sudden movements." I make sure to leave plenty of room around me in all directions, and don't accelerate or brake suddenly. I can't tell you how many times I've driven to work going 10-15mph the entire way- it's just what you have to do. When I first start driving, I often find a nice wide empty street and go 5mph or so and then slam on the brakes to "test" the road- this tells me how careful I need to be, and if there is ice under the snow or not.
Oh, and for those of you who did not grow up around inclement weather, it is SO important to go do donuts & skids in an empty parking lot- you need to know how YOUR car handles in a skid, and how to control it- you WILL be a safer & more confident winter driver if you do this.
I even had one time where a tornado struck our street, plopping a 15-foot high pile of trees and power lines across our entire court, such that we couldn't get off the court for days. There's no planning for that one. I STILL made it to work though- walked a few blocks to a friend of a friend's house where things were passable, & they drove me.
The thing is, we live in communities and we work in communities. We can't handle crises (weather or otherwise) by ourselves, but if we plan ahead, ask for help when needed, and help one another out (instead of just focusing on ourselves), we all get through it just fine, and better for it.
I leave you with one question: What would happen if the snow plow drivers & salt truck drivers called and said "the roads are too bad, I can't get to work."
I learned to drive in snow by doing doughnuts in an empty parking lot. Thanks for suggesting that to others! Still, there isn't much you can do safely when it is ice.
When I lived in the Greater Seattle Area a while back, we had a massive ice storm that arrested the entire area. The hospital I worked for went on lock-down, and we were told to either room-in or stay within walking distance for 3 days until the storm passed. It was quite the experience to see all of my coworkers sleeping on the floor, in extra rooms, on recliner chairs.... especially how the community was so in need of our services (the community came to eat in our cafeteria because we had generator power but the rest of the area was without power for days)... plus, people wanted to use our outlets to charge their cell phones/laptops. I learned that day that healthcare isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle, and we were expected to be the ones to find a way through the storm and then do what it takes to be available for our patients. Pretty cool to be a part if it, actually. Another hospital I worked offered for me to room-in for a week in an empty room because I worked 12 hr night shifts for 6 days straight and my commute was 130 miles round-trip daily. I guess we all need to buy SUV's to make it to work! :-)
A guy I worked with just moved to that area of the Northwest, and (upon his arrival) they recently got the kind of snow storms that we usually only receive here in "the great northeast". I had to razz him about that, although it is warmer there than here in the NE.
Call in because of a snow storm? Not so much. The reasonable expectation is that extra time and due caution be allowed to get to and from work. Some of our staff will swap shifts or extend shifts to cover patient care (patient care... it's what we do), realizing that the patients need the best care possible. Food for staff is never a problem, as our cafeteria is open most hours (except for 7p-1a), and that is soon to improve (22-hour coverage).
Common sense dictates proper vehicle upkeep and maintenance; even with only two wheel drive (which is usually just one wheel at a time), a decent set of tires makes a huge difference. Driver skill (not generally what it used to be nor needs to be) is also a huge factor. During the past couple of decades, drivers have become less equipped (personally) to drive in adverse conditions. The news media hypes even a 4-6" snowfall prediction into a dire situation, and some people just freak out over that, even if we only receive less than two inches. On ice, the thickness of the ice does not matter (unless you are driving on a lake), but proper all-season tires with good tread are the best as they provide more effective surface contact between the tread surface and the icy road surface. In some ways, driver education is just not the same as it was years ago. During a real blizzard (more than a couple of feet of snow), some staff will stay in an empty room if available, but that is about the extent of it. The hospital has even arranged rides by some of our staff who have those eeeeeeeeeeeeevil 4x4's.
Where I work, and whenever it snows, the battle cry of "Jeep! Jeep!" can often be heard, the reason being that "snow is one of the reasons G-d invented Jeeps".
Actually "deer hits" are a bigger problem in this area than bad weather (don't ask! ); thank goodness moose are very rare around here. :icon_roll
You really have to just leave yourself extra time to get there. I live in an area where there is snow from October til May and everyone is expected to get in. We have a lot of dirt roads, etc. The maintainence guys go out and pick up staff. We even had the National Guard help us out during a blizzard. We will house people wherever we can.........even the cafeteria. The nurses who are on cannot work safely for an unlimited amount of time. It is important for patient safety (and their personal mental health) that they get relief.
I live 55 miles from where I work. We have had a major storm just about every week from the beginning of November to the end of December. I was late only once by 10 mins. You just leave earlier and drive carefully. The one storm, I did have to stay in town because the highway was closed. If it's bad, I pack a bag just in case I have to stay. For me, to call and say I'm not coming to work because of the weather is unacceptable.
My co-workers always tell me that my safety is the most important thing. "We'd rather have you alive and not at work than for you to be in the ditch."
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
I live outside of Chicago, where we get almost every type of weather there is... regularly- blizzards, ice storms, deep freezes, severe storms w/ 70mph winds, heat waves, tornadoes, etc. And I have NEVER missed a day of work due to inclement weather. And I've never had a car with 4WD, or ABS. I personally have NO SYMPATHY WHATSOEVER for those who call in due to inclement weather- what can I say, our motto here tends to be that bad weather builds character, and I find I sound like my mother when I say "Deal with it," and "No Whining!" The facility I work for has about the same attitude, and I don't fault them for it. They recently instituted double disciplinary penalties for anyone who calls in sick due to inclement weather- and I don't blame them.
The thing is, inclement weather ALMOST NEVER happens without advanced warning. So it follows that the best thing you can do to deal with it is to plan in advance- DAYS in advance if needed. Watch the weather forecasts, stock up on gas & food, pack an "emergency bag with clothes, food, blankets, etc," charge your cell phone, make sure you have a good shovel & a bucket of salt, arrange for back-up childcare if you suspect a snow day tomorrow, etc. We have had times where we need to shovel the driveway every 2 hours to keep on top of it & make sure it is passable in the morning- we take turns- sleep for 4 hours, then shovel (w/ 2 people, it is shoveled every 2 hours, & you can get a full 8 hours sleep if you go to bed early and still get to work in the morning). Be prepared for the pile of snow that develops at the end of your driveway when the snow plows clear your street & leave the snow on your driveway- if you don't stay on top of this, you can get stuck in it.
If you live too far away or past an often-impassible stretch of road, plan accordingly- there are almost always coworkers who live near the hospital, so crash on their couch/ guestbed/ etc for the night, or in a hotel, or whatever it takes. Or ask a friend or family member who lives closer if you can crash w/ them, or even stay w/ someone who just as a 4WD SUV who would be willing to drive you to work in their heartier car. If you work night shift- FYI- most on call rooms in hospitals are only used at night, so you can usually reserve them during the day & get a good night sleep there. The other thing you can do is arrange to swap shifts with someone who lives close to the hospital IN ADVANCE- I am always willing to do this for my coworkers as long as they give me at least 12hrs notice (and as a bonus, I get a day off when the roads are actually passable, and can get stuff done then!).
When I'm driving, I play music & sing along to get my mind off it, or say to myself "slow and steady wins the race," and "no sudden movements." I make sure to leave plenty of room around me in all directions, and don't accelerate or brake suddenly. I can't tell you how many times I've driven to work going 10-15mph the entire way- it's just what you have to do. When I first start driving, I often find a nice wide empty street and go 5mph or so and then slam on the brakes to "test" the road- this tells me how careful I need to be, and if there is ice under the snow or not.
Oh, and for those of you who did not grow up around inclement weather, it is SO important to go do donuts & skids in an empty parking lot- you need to know how YOUR car handles in a skid, and how to control it- you WILL be a safer & more confident winter driver if you do this.
I even had one time where a tornado struck our street, plopping a 15-foot high pile of trees and power lines across our entire court, such that we couldn't get off the court for days. There's no planning for that one. I STILL made it to work though- walked a few blocks to a friend of a friend's house where things were passable, & they drove me.
The thing is, we live in communities and we work in communities. We can't handle crises (weather or otherwise) by ourselves, but if we plan ahead, ask for help when needed, and help one another out (instead of just focusing on ourselves), we all get through it just fine, and better for it.
I leave you with one question: What would happen if the snow plow drivers & salt truck drivers called and said "the roads are too bad, I can't get to work."
I still don't understand how anyone drives on ice. Double disciplinary action? What the he** is that? Didn't anyone study physics? Ice isn't safe for anything except penguins. You're not suggesting to drive on ice are you?
Not that I don't appreciate all the suggestions. They are good ones and well thought out.
Driving on ice in the winter is just a fact of winter driving where I am. You CAN get there and I agree that there is really no excuse for not making it in to work if you take it slow, leave early and invest in snow tires.
I wish my facility would crack down on 'weather days'. I live in the UP of Michigan where we routinely get 300+ inches of snow per winter. I would be ashamed to use the weather as an excuse...it's all in your planning. Unfortunately a few of the nurses take advantage every time a storm comes around even though one of them has a daughter that lives 3 blocks from the facility...in a three bedroom house-alone. But I digress...weather is an issue for everyone. To show up-on time, no whining-goes hand in hand with a good work ethic and personal responsibility.
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.
4x4's.
); thank goodness moose are very rare around here. :icon_roll
I guess you don't have this issue. But you have hurricanes to find a way to work in!
sunflrz321
64 Posts
I live outside of Chicago, where we get almost every type of weather there is... regularly- blizzards, ice storms, deep freezes, severe storms w/ 70mph winds, heat waves, tornadoes, etc. And I have NEVER missed a day of work due to inclement weather. And I've never had a car with 4WD, or ABS. I personally have NO SYMPATHY WHATSOEVER for those who call in due to inclement weather- what can I say, our motto here tends to be that bad weather builds character, and I find I sound like my mother when I say "Deal with it," and "No Whining!" The facility I work for has about the same attitude, and I don't fault them for it. They recently instituted double disciplinary penalties for anyone who calls in sick due to inclement weather- and I don't blame them.
The thing is, inclement weather ALMOST NEVER happens without advanced warning. So it follows that the best thing you can do to deal with it is to plan in advance- DAYS in advance if needed. Watch the weather forecasts, stock up on gas & food, pack an "emergency bag with clothes, food, blankets, etc," charge your cell phone, make sure you have a good shovel & a bucket of salt, arrange for back-up childcare if you suspect a snow day tomorrow, etc. We have had times where we need to shovel the driveway every 2 hours to keep on top of it & make sure it is passable in the morning- we take turns- sleep for 4 hours, then shovel (w/ 2 people, it is shoveled every 2 hours, & you can get a full 8 hours sleep if you go to bed early and still get to work in the morning). Be prepared for the pile of snow that develops at the end of your driveway when the snow plows clear your street & leave the snow on your driveway- if you don't stay on top of this, you can get stuck in it.
If you live too far away or past an often-impassible stretch of road, plan accordingly- there are almost always coworkers who live near the hospital, so crash on their couch/ guestbed/ etc for the night, or in a hotel, or whatever it takes. Or ask a friend or family member who lives closer if you can crash w/ them, or even stay w/ someone who just as a 4WD SUV who would be willing to drive you to work in their heartier car. If you work night shift- FYI- most on call rooms in hospitals are only used at night, so you can usually reserve them during the day & get a good night sleep there. The other thing you can do is arrange to swap shifts with someone who lives close to the hospital IN ADVANCE- I am always willing to do this for my coworkers as long as they give me at least 12hrs notice (and as a bonus, I get a day off when the roads are actually passable, and can get stuff done then!).
When I'm driving, I play music & sing along to get my mind off it, or say to myself "slow and steady wins the race," and "no sudden movements." I make sure to leave plenty of room around me in all directions, and don't accelerate or brake suddenly. I can't tell you how many times I've driven to work going 10-15mph the entire way- it's just what you have to do. When I first start driving, I often find a nice wide empty street and go 5mph or so and then slam on the brakes to "test" the road- this tells me how careful I need to be, and if there is ice under the snow or not.
Oh, and for those of you who did not grow up around inclement weather, it is SO important to go do donuts & skids in an empty parking lot- you need to know how YOUR car handles in a skid, and how to control it- you WILL be a safer & more confident winter driver if you do this.
I even had one time where a tornado struck our street, plopping a 15-foot high pile of trees and power lines across our entire court, such that we couldn't get off the court for days. There's no planning for that one. I STILL made it to work though- walked a few blocks to a friend of a friend's house where things were passable, & they drove me.
The thing is, we live in communities and we work in communities. We can't handle crises (weather or otherwise) by ourselves, but if we plan ahead, ask for help when needed, and help one another out (instead of just focusing on ourselves), we all get through it just fine, and better for it.
I leave you with one question: What would happen if the snow plow drivers & salt truck drivers called and said "the roads are too bad, I can't get to work."