I don't know if I should call out or not r/t snow storm

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I live in New Jersey, and there is an anticipated snowstorm, the snow will be 8-12inch in the night. my shift is 3-11pm. There will be nothing at 3pm, but when I leave work at 11pm, I will be stuck in the snowstorm. I am live 40mins away from my work place. I personally feel bad to call out, but my family is worry about me driving home in the snowstorm, especially, I never drove in any heavy snow or snowstorm before. I need some suggestions.

Specializes in Cardiac.
On 12/19/2020 at 9:46 AM, Kooky Korky said:

One CNA took me seriously and came in.  When she left work that night she had an accident.  I felt rotten about it.  Not that it was my fault.  She ultimately had made the decision to work.  I felt badly about the bills she would be incurring after the accident, though, and all the other stuff that goes with an accident.

She left of her own free will going home in bad weather. I would feel sorry for her, but not bad (guilty). 

If it is clear going in, GO IN. If you have to stay due to weather, then stay. Interesting how people will brave bad weather to get home that they won’t even attempt to get to work! I live  in the country in the north—plenty of snow most years—and work in a small city (population of about 100,000). 30-35 min commute in good weather. Take it slow and easy in the snow extra scarf, mittens, hat, snow pants and boots in the car in case you have to walk..... 

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Specializes in Peds ED.

Most places I’ve worked will give out pretty strict discipline for calling out due to an anticipated weather event. Plan ahead and make contingency plans. Go in early or plan to sleep over.

Or get a good all weather vehicle. 

In the end you do need to consider your safety but when you can plan ahead to avoid driving in unsafe conditions you should.

 

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
On 12/24/2020 at 11:35 AM, subee said:

With a commute like that, a 4 wheel drive is a must for your safety and sanity. I remember driving beaters in a snow belt with hills with a short commute and it was hell.  Keep a shovel in the backseat in Winter.  Weather was never an excuses unless it was officially declared a disaster area....even when our hospital lost power for a few days (generator only).

 

I keep a first aide kit in the car. In the Winter, I keep warm clothes & extra hats/gloves/socks in the car, along with road salt, pea gravel, and a spade. A snow shovel doesn't easily get under the car to remove the hard-packed snow, especially if you slide off the road. (I've only slid off once in 40 years, and I was only going 15 miles/hour. I dug myself out and got to work on time!)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
On 12/23/2020 at 12:07 AM, Kooky Korky said:

People often say here that we knew what we were getting into before we went into Nursing.  I can honestly say that I did not. 

And I think there are likely others who also didn't realize that they would have to work various hours around the clock, holidays, weekends, etc. 

Did not realize they'd be expected to risk life and limb and cars in severe weather, leave family at home while they weathered hurricanes, or deal with deadly viruses on the front lines while their managerial and admin staff got a potentially lifesaving vax while hunkered down bravely in their offices.

I guess part of my attitude comes from being military and having no excuse not to make it in. I realize nursing is not the military but I entered it knowing that a hospital is a 24/7/365 business and not showing up is a huge imposition on my coworkers. One year, it was so bad here management had us picked up by police/ambulances/others who had 4WD capability and  had made it to work themselves. I live in the coastal Pac NW and it does not snow often here, but when it does, I simply have my husband take me in as he grew up in the Minneapolis area and is quite adept at driving in snow and ice.

Knock on wood, I have not missed a shift simply due to bad weather.  I have not called out in advance of predicted bad weather, either.  One great thing about going to work in such weather, is traffic is extremely light.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Well, OP what did you do?  Inquiring minds want to know.

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Didn't expect those many comments. But thanks for all suggestions. I went to work that day, and back home as well. The snow was not as bad as I thoughts, most roads are cleaned when I leave work. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

OP - TY for the comeback. You did the professional thing when you made the effort to make it in. 

Over the years, there were only a couple times I couldn't make it in - but I always did try.

I'm sure your previous shift co-workers were esp appreciative of your effort.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
On 12/27/2020 at 7:09 AM, SoNan said:

Didn't expect those many comments. But thanks for all suggestions. I went to work that day, and back home as well. The snow was not as bad as I thoughts, most roads are cleaned when I leave work. 

GOOD WORK; you showed you are willing to be a team player.

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On 12/26/2020 at 8:31 PM, SmilingBluEyes said:

I guess part of my attitude comes from being military and having no excuse not to make it in. I realize nursing is not the military but I entered it knowing that a hospital is a 24/7/365 business and not showing up is a huge imposition on my coworkers. One year, it was so bad here management had us picked up by police/ambulances/others who had 4WD capability and  had made it to work themselves. I live in the coastal Pac NW and it does not snow often here, but when it does, I simply have my husband take me in as he grew up in the Minneapolis area and is quite adept at driving in snow and ice.

Knock on wood, I have not missed a shift simply due to bad weather.  I have not called out in advance of predicted bad weather, either.  One great thing about going to work in such weather, is traffic is extremely light.

One year, our hospital had the Police and Security picking us up and taking us home, too.  Or we could stay at the hospital  for a couple of days, if we preferred.  They fed us, gave us the RR to sleep in (only emergency operations were done for a few days, so RR was pretty quiet).  We played cards, read, watched TV, napped, and worked.  It was actually kind of congenial and those of us who stayed formed strong bonds.

 

 

 

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