I live in an area with A LOT of snow, and as a nurse, do I need an SUV?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

As a little background for you:

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 OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I used to drive a FWD car. When it died, I bought an AWD SUV. Gas milage is still pretty good- about the same as the 10 year old car that it replaced- plus, unlike the car, it can get me out of my development in 10 inches of snow (cul de sac that is extremely low priority for plowing, and last winter we got some unexpected little snows that turned into big, deep snows). Granted, I don't always have the option of leaving early as the OR comes with call that requires a max 30 minute response time, which influenced my decision to get the SUV as it's also higher. Either way, it's not 100% about the vehicle; the skill of the driver is a big big part of it. I've always lived in areas with snow, so I'm used to driving in it and know that AWD isn't a guarantee (unlike some of those other drivers out there).

Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

My vote is the SUV, small to mid-size. Front wheel drive with a V6 is what I have and it's great. It's not the power/grip of a 4WD or AWD that I feel is important, it's the height advantage of the SUV. Being taller makes it much easier to see around snow banks and other vehicles. Also makes it easier for those other vehicles to see you.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I spent 9 years working at a ski area, usually having to make the drive before the plows have gone through and I've done it with a front wheel drive car, an all wheel drive car, and SUV's. By far the worst performers were SUV's. A high center of gravity is bad for driving on snow and ice, and heavier weight doesn't help either, the only advantage of an SUV was getting out of your parking spot after it got buried with a weeks worth of snow.

The biggest factor is tires. A front-wheel-drive car with studs all around does better than an SUV or even an AWD car with all-season tires. The optimal combo is a 'newer' AWD car or wagon (newer in that it has ABS) with snow/ice specific tires or studs.

Whenever I found myself in bad driving due to weather situations, I would finagle some kind of arrangement where I could stay near, or at, my destination, if I needed. I just felt safer doing this after I almost went off a cliff one time when going down an icy, snowy road. Probably scared myself half grey and it forced me to look into alternatives for my own peace of mind.

Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

As a woman driving a Toyota Tundra I recommend it!! The gas milage sucks, but when car owners may be stuck shoveling there car out from the plows I am putting my truck in 4x4 and driving through the huge snow bank and past them!!

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Thank you for your input everyone, and keep it coming!

.....

wondering what some hospital's policies are regarding "attendance points/infractions" during severely inclimate weather.

Think about it for a minute-it's a 24 hour a day 7 days a week job. Get a decent car,whatever YOU are comfortable driving and plan ahead because people depend upon you. If you are mandated you will be well paid. I have been paid to sleep over the night before an expected weather event. PAID TO SLEEP!!! And comped breakfast.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I have a 2014 Subaru Outback, live in central IL and travel 60-200miles/day thru the snow and ugh of winter - last winter we had 62 inches of snow and I live in the country.

I have 49,000 miles on it, get 30mph and I love it. Its my third Subaru

I swear by 4wd. I'm in PA. Needed it a lot last winter. Also you can use it as a tax write off as something needed for employment. Get an suv with 4wd. With the way people drive and the accidents I see and have been in myself. I would never buy a car again in my life. I just don't feel safe in them.

Specializes in ER.

Studded snow tires, and be prepared to spend 30 minutes at least shovelling yourself out.

My wife has a Kia sportage. Smaller suv, attractive and good on gas. Has four wheel drive. Does well in the snow for sure

What are you comfortable with? I live in Colorado and have always driven 4 wheel drive vehicles. Personally, I don't think I would feel safe in anything else...but that's just me! In places that get buried in snow, employers expect there to be problems now and then, but the nurse that shows up in a blizzard just plain looks good! :-) At our facility, when we are hired there is a form to fill out if you want to volunteer to pick up other essential employees in case of a storm, I'm sure that most hospitals have a pool of people with monster 4WDs to pick up nurses and other needed people in a snowstorm, so you could probably utilize that service if needed, but if you can afford a 4WD, and are more comfortable in one then go for it! It all depends on your personal comfort level!

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

If you know how to drive in the snow, you don't need an SUV or a 4WD. I get around just fine in my 8 year old Prius, even getting through spots where SUVs are getting stuck. It's all in knowing how to drive in the snow. If you DON'T know how to drive in the snow, it would be worth while to take some time and figure it out.

+ Add a Comment