I am a new grad RN that has accepted a position in a large hospital that is MOSTLY highway driving, about a 30 minute drive in good traffic. HOWEVER, I live in Northeast Ohio where we often get a lot of snowfall, and sometimes suddenly.
Throughout nursing school, I had a medium sized SUV with all wheel drive and good tires. Well, that SUV is over 200,000 miles and starting to become unreliable. I'm in the market for a new vehicle and I am considering purchasing a medium sized car with front wheel drive.
Only problem is, I just had a paralzying visualization of getting stuck in the driveway or in the middle of my road that is often unplowed early in the morning when I may need to be leaving for work. (I will be working day/night rotation). Of course, especially as a new grad and new hire, the last thing I want to do is start off my employment being stuck in the snow because I decided to buy a car and not an SUV. I understand that everyone finds themselves having car problems here and there; however, being a nurse, it just seems so much more important to be able to get to work on time.
My question is, does anyone have any advice for me that may have found themselves in a similar situation?
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I've lived in Minnesota, and in Colorado, and I've NEVER used the 4WD feature on any of my vehicles that have had it.
Get a reliable car with AWD (I second the suggestion of Subaru). AWD is all you need unless you're off-roading in the mountains. (and I've even done that in my Subaru with little difficulty)
I have found over the years of driving in snow (and if there is a blizzard it is a mortal lock that I am working) that 4WD pales in comparison to good snow tires. Rugged snow tires make all the difference in the world.
An all-wheel drive Volvo, put into lower gears prn, will get you through anything the NE has to throw at you. Never used snow tires, just my regular tires, changed regularly to keep them good. :)
I am familiar with the snowbelt near Lake Erie. I remember my car being buried overnight and people actually walking down the street level with the roofs of the cars. I am no car expert. In that region, which has the fastest, heaviest, deepest snowfall that I have ever seen, I would buy a big pick um truck with AWD and 4WD. Sounds like fun. Pack up bag with a change of clothes and other things you will need. Bring food to share, stuff for sandwiches or a crockpot of chili. In blizzards and hurricanes we plan on having lots of groceries in case we really get stuck.
Being stuck at the hospital isn't all bad, and if you are mandated to stay for 48 hrs you will be paid time and a half per the Fair labor standards act for the whole time that you are there. Bring food, have fun with it.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
More than FWD or 4WD, you need driving skills in inclement weather. Those features are great, but of no good if you are not good at driving in snow or ice. Too many people get over-confident and drive their FWD or 4WD right into a ditch. They will slide and crash as sure as RWD will.
GAAK!! I am in awe - dealing with (um, what is it called. . ) 'winter' it is simply beyond my comprehension. Of course, we get torrential rainfall on a fairly frequent basis, but I wouldn't know how to deal with the driving complexities you have. Changing tires based on seasons? Car buried in snow? Yikes!
I only hope your patients appreciate the effort it takes to even get to work under those conditions
GAAK!! I am in awe - dealing with (um, what is it called. . ) 'winter' it is simply beyond my comprehension. Of course, we get torrential rainfall on a fairly frequent basis, but I wouldn't know how to deal with the driving complexities you have. Changing tires based on seasons? Car buried in snow? Yikes!
I only hope your patients appreciate the effort it takes to even get to work under those conditions
And let's not forget those of our co-workers who live minutes away but fail to get to work on time.....or at all.....when snowflakes bang together, while some others of us travel quite a distance and STILL get to our jobs! :)
I'm also from NE Ohio, worked at the Clinic and was 45 minutes away on the highway. I had both an AWD and a FWD vehicle, but not an SUV or truck, never got stuck. Winter weather tires helped.
Keep a change of clothes in the car, and the regular winter supplies, shovel, blanket, sand or kitty litter, water and snacks. Always park headed toward the street, so once you start moving forward you don't have to stop.
Leave early, allow yourself double time, it's the fools which cause the backups.
If I remember correctly when a "snow" day was declared staff wasn't penalized for being late
Specializes in Nsg. Ed, Infusion, Pediatrics, LTC.
I live in NY where the weather can be unpredictable. It's not unusual to have a mild day followed by a foot or two of snow. Like you, my evening job is a half hour away- mostly highway driving. I honestly love having my SUV, as it handles so much better in poor weather vs. a sedan. Whatever you choose- I agree with the previous poster regarding snow tires and driving slowly. Good luck!
ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN
913 Posts
I live in SE MI and after last winter I ditched the PT Cruiser for a Patriot, it's not 4WD but it's higher up and heavier!