Nurses in the path of Hurricane Irene

Published

This hurricane sounds like it has the potential to be a major event in large, heavily populated cities. If you work at a hospital or nursing facility in the path of this storm, what precautions are being taken prior to landfall? Will you be required to stay at the hospital? What are they telling you about calling in sick or calling in unable to get there? If you are staying at the hospital, what arrangements are you making for children/family?

I have gone to work a snowstorm having not slept between shifts because I had stayed at a hotel and not slept a wink (not by choice). I went back and worked my shift even though I was so tired I was almost sick. I have worked a different snowstorm having left my family on my husband's birthday to stay at a hotel on my own dime the night before the storm came, and came back the next day to cover a coworker who couldn't leave her subdivision. I have driven to work in a tornado storm when I was 33 weeks pregnant. But I am not driving to work in the middle of a hurricane. The hospital will not be raising my motherless children should something happen to me on the commute. If it gets ugly around here (it might or might not), and my family can't stay AT the hospital with me, I am not coming in. Sorry. I'm a nurse and I've pulled my weight, but I am not a martyr.

Good for you! seriously

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.
Our facility is trying to make us all pack to stay. They have given no directions for our children. I certainly will not be leaving 4 kids at home to "tough it out" based on a hospital plan.:twocents:

May I assume that your kids will be without you while you work your scheduled shift? They will be in the care of someone else, who very likely will not leave your kids to "tough it out" if you get mandated?

Signed, a mom who has been mandated during storms (and 9/11) and my child was just fine until I got home, because my family/caregivers understood that I couldn't just up and leave the hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Emergency Department.

i work nights at one of the nslij hospitals on long island. we have been inundated with patients from staten island university hospital and coney island hospital, which have both been evacuated to my knowledge. i am off tomorrow, but will be back sunday night come hell or high water. my boyfriend's house is a few blocks from the hospital i work at, so i may just stay there through til sunday evening and head here from there if it looks really bad (since my apartment is about 20 minutes from the hospital.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i work nights at one of the nslij hospitals on long island. we have been inundated with patients from staten island university hospital and coney island hospital, which have both been evacuated to my knowledge. i am off tomorrow, but will be back sunday night come hell or high water. my boyfriend's house is a few blocks from the hospital i work at, so i may just stay there through til sunday evening and head here from there if it looks really bad (since my apartment is about 20 minutes from the hospital.)

I watched a news story on the evacuation of the Staten Island University Hospital last night. It looked like quite an undertaking from a logistics point of view. If it's any comfort, the administrators said they would bring the patients back as soon as humanly possible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

My facility was evacuated to other facilities in the area today(well..yesterday). Was a long long day.

My advice is a having a good evacuation plan makes things go a lot smoother. Stay calm and collected and remember its all hands on deck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Ok say I just called out. I rather be safe than sorry. I too have drove in snow storms and stayed overnight at work. I won't drive in hurricane nor would I take the risks of having to spend the night at a clients house because of any driving restrictions that may take place. :uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

Well, I've done all I can to prepare for the storm. Everything that can be blown around is now in the garage. My generator is charged, gassed (I'll pick up another 10 gallons on my way to work) and hooked up to the electrical system (just have to flip switches to activate), storm windows down & locked, Have my Maddie's tranqs so she doesn't drop dead of fear (poor sweety was a 6 mth puppy when she went threw Katrina, still panics during storms), plenty of food and water for me and dogs. Now just hoping and praying that all the preparation will be for nothing. I am scheduled to work 3-11 this weekend, should be ok to get in (I hope), my big fear is downed trees blocking me in (mile+ dirt road thru the woods is my only way in or out). I worry about my apple & pear orchard, it's a bumper crop this year and I don't know how much I'll lose. Good Luck to everyone and God Bless!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Update: Alternate care facility set up. We don't have any pts yet. The National Guard and other emergency management teams have done a GREAT job. There are about 8,000 people currently in shelters, but there hasn't been a great deal of damage here in NC...THANK YOU GOD!!! We still have a few hours to go yet, but I continue to hope that we dodged a lethal bullet. We are awaiting communication from our eastern hospitals regarding pt surge and formal tx of pts should they need it. Only one hospital here is on generator power.

To my northern friends: be safe and continue to monitor your areas. Let's all hope that Irene continues to weaken. Hopefully at this time tomorrow, we will all be breathing easier and having a glass of wine!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
Well, I've done all I can to prepare for the storm. Everything that can be blown around is now in the garage. My generator is charged, gassed (I'll pick up another 10 gallons on my way to work) and hooked up to the electrical system (just have to flip switches to activate), storm windows down & locked, Have my Maddie's tranqs so she doesn't drop dead of fear (poor sweety was a 6 mth puppy when she went threw Katrina, still panics during storms), plenty of food and water for me and dogs. Now just hoping and praying that all the preparation will be for nothing. I am scheduled to work 3-11 this weekend, should be ok to get in (I hope), my big fear is downed trees blocking me in (mile+ dirt road thru the woods is my only way in or out). I worry about my apple & pear orchard, it's a bumper crop this year and I don't know how much I'll lose. Good Luck to everyone and God Bless!

You did well in your prep! The winds have been the worst thing here with wind gusts in excess of 50mph-but no trees on the roads as of yet. I am sending you prayers, Gentle.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

We're just getting rain and wind so far...power flickered once, hospital's not on generator power yet. I saw that there are nurses who are going to have to stay with critical ICU patients to ill to be evacuated at a hospital in NYC that's going to flood. Prayer for you guys, stay safe!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics and geriatrics.

virginia beach here. i worked this morning (0630 to 1500) i am on call this weekend. luckily my facility had enough nurses volunteer to stay over in the event of call outs. i very nicely explained that i would not risk my life driving in a hurricane. i have children and a husband who depend on me. my facility didnt evacuate. i work in ltc. nurse managers are in the building as is the ceo and cfo. as i working this morning, i heard a tornado roar overhead. the roads are flooded and i had to take several detours to get home. everyone please stay safe!!!!! irene hasnt even made it to virginia yet.

nicenurse lpn

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

It interests me when people say, "I have children and a husband..." As if the life of a single, childless nurse is of lesser value.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion