Hurricane Irma: Are per diem nurses USUALLY required to work during a hurricane/disaster?

[justSara]

Hey guys!

I'm not a nurse, but I am part of the nursing staff as a PCA. I have only been working in a hospital for a year, so I'm not sure what is usual or custom.

As the title suggests, I am located in South Florida and hurricane Irma may clobber us this weekend. If it is still a category 4 or 5 hurricane by Friday morning I have decided to evacuate my loved ones out of state. However, the hospital I work for is telling ALL per diem workers that we are REQUIRED to come to the hospital to work during the hurricane lock down.

So my question is, is that usual for a hospital? To require the PER DIEM employees to come in? There was a hurricane list made up in advance saying which full time workers would have to come in and who would be part of the "after" team, but I was never aware that per diem workers needed to as well.

I just wanted to know if my director/superiors are pulling one over on me by telling my it's required when it actually may not be what usually happens. My hospital has been known to lie to employees when it suits them.

Sorry for the long post, thank you for any answers in advance.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Also, if it were up to me, in advance notice of a hurricane, I would notify employees we need every single one to help out if we could not evacuate all patients before the disaster strikes. The waiting/anticipation must strike fear in every heart in its path.

I would, if I could, provide shelter and sustenance for family members where needed and possible. But, I could not, in good conscience, just let the PRN employees off the hook and work my "regulars" to death because the PRN employees don't have benefitted positions. That is what differentials are for, to cover the fact they don't have other benefits, not to just ignore the nursing resource they are, needed in such dire conditions.

Again, this is not a run of the mill shortage but a catastrophic disaster, one we know in advance is coming. Not everyone has notice at all, particularly in earthquake/tsunami zones. But we still can't just hide our heads and ignore the risks. We need to plan ahead for the possibility these things could happen and do our best to protect our loved ones and care for those who need us.

But again, that's just me. It must be my military thinking. I am not insensitive to the horror of a coming hurricane; the angst and terror must be abject. My husband was trapped in South Carolina some years back during a hurricane and he was terrified. So, I have great empathy for our colleagues and loved ones in the path of this monster hurricane. God be with you all. Let us know how you are; we do care.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Volunteer vs Compulsory

Think about it... all the emergency agency nurse contracts pull way more $$$ over PD or FT even with OT.

If I work for your hospital 1-2 days a month can you declare I owe you all my time when SHTF or you'll "fire" me? Put that in the policy manual... go ahead... do it. It's legal. And people will sign up for that, many without reading. And many will quit when those chips get called in.

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Yes, actually during a true disaster, I think policies should exist in advance that outline the necessity for all staff to work 24/7. Including Per diem employees. During a time like this, everyone is needed. Regulars won't be able to cover it all; they don't deserve to be worked to death while their per diem employees take off to safer grounds. Yes, nurses from all over would likely fly in to help. It's not about money for them, I tell you, for the majority it's the desire to help others in dire straits. But since some people went there: WHY should any place pay big bucks for travelers when they have a pool of employees to draw from first? Besides, most hospitals pay people round the clock whether working or not. Everyone pretty much stands to make a lot of money, not just travelers.

[NursingInChaos]

ugh, my hospital is talking about a list of employees for A team (comes in and rides out the storm) and B team (comes in when its over to releive A team) but HAS NOT published a freaking list. I am not scheduled to work until next thursday and want to leave town but need to know if I end up on the list even though I am not scheduled.... they should have had this list posted days ago!!

[JKL33]

Also, if it were up to me, in advance notice of a hurricane, I would notify employees we need every single one to help out if we could not evacuate all patients before the disaster strikes. The waiting/anticipation must strike fear in every heart in its path.

I agree with you, with the exception that if that is an expectation it should be an explicit part of a PD agreement. That way PDs know up front exactly what is expected of them and can make their employment decisions accordingly, and also so that if a facility plans to include PDs in their disaster plan, they can reasonably rely on the PDs to keep the commitment.

As for me, none of my agreements included these commitments, but I know others do. I ask to be included anyway because I do want to help.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I agree with you, with the exception that if that is an expectation it should be an explicit part of a PD agreement. That way PDs know up front exactly what is expected of them and can make their employment decisions accordingly, and also so that if a facility plans to include PDs in their disaster plan, they can reasonably rely on the PDs to keep the commitment.

As for me, none of my agreements included these commitments, but I know others do. I ask to be included anyway because I do want to help.

And I admire you for that. Too bad so many others are just in a hurry to leave their team-mates in the lurch because of their status.

[Libby1987]

What is the danger to health care workers' lives within the confines of a US hospital in a category 5 hurricane?

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

So just to be clear, you all who think PD morally must dedicate themselves to their hospital in a disaster are willing to give them a break of they are obligated to another full time nursing job... But not if they have a non nursing job? Explain why in detail? Do you think the HR policy covers that? What if they have 2 PD Jobs?

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

Let's see live another day to apply for another job or die trying to get to work..idk., seems like an easy choice (keep safe and live).

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Volunteer vs Compulsory

Volunteer vs Compulsory

Calling vs Job?

Volunteer vs Compulsory

Volunteer vs Compulsory

Think about it... all the emergency agency nurse contracts pull way more $$$ over PD or FT even with OT.

I've seen plenty of nurses sign up to go to Houston to help out for NO pay other than the ride on the private plane chartered to take them there. They were told they'd be sleeping on cots, eating in the cafeteria and helping out wherever needed. And the plane was full, so another was chartered.

If other nurses are willing to fly in for no pay and help out, why do some believe they should be exempt from helping out their own community?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Let's see live another day to apply for another job or die trying to get to work..idk., seems like an easy choice (keep safe and live).

Unfortunately, this idea is all too common these days.

You're supposed to be already AT work before it gets too ugly out there to travel safely.

[Sour Lemon]

I've seen plenty of nurses sign up to go to Houston to help out for NO pay other than the ride on the private plane chartered to take them there. They were told they'd be sleeping on cots, eating in the cafeteria and helping out wherever needed. And the plane was full, so another was chartered.

If other nurses are willing to fly in for no pay and help out, why do some believe they should be exempt from helping out their own community?

I wasn't a nurse during Katrina, but I did volunteer at a huge intake shelter in Texas "guarding", and distributing medical supplies to various make-shift medical "offices" (in the same complex). I did it because I wanted to.

Employment obligations are an entirely different issue and may vary based on where one works and the type of employee one is. Wants, feelings and beliefs only matter in those situations when it comes to one's own decisions.

People who are not obligated to work and choose not to may contribute to their communities in other very important ways ...or maybe they just key cars on their days off. We don't really know that they're "bad" people who "don't care" based on a single decision.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I worked at a residential school a couple of winters ago in my area when we had record-breaking snowfall. I still remember the upper management making announcements about who would be "frozen" i.e. not be allowed to leave pending the first storm.

Then the managers left the campus and stayed home for a few days until roads were clear. Meanwhile, staff staying were working insane hours and not getting real breaks. Management was a real "profile in courage"...