Sandy Storm whom do I serve?

[echoRNC711]

Sandy storm is en-route I feel it's strength echo in the wind that cautions me vigilance. My husband ,who is a Srgt.in the NYPD , has already been called in and is expected to be on duty for a minimum 48 hrs. I am here with my children and received "that" call, the one where I am sitting here wrestling with whom do I serve?

My area of work is an off site facility but as we are on disaster status I am expected to show up .The the hospital requires me to be in at 7am prepared to stay there through Tuesday am. The hospital has no concern for my children or situation that would mean in my case they would be left here alone. I ask myself questions like "Is it abandonment to not show up? Could I be fired ? Where do I stand legally if I choose my children's safety over patient's? As I sit here contemplating I am also thinking I know I can't be the only nurse making this decision tonight.

I consider, Have I not shown up before for emergencies through my 20 years of service. I have walked through snow to my thighs to receive a 25 pt load because only myself and one other nurse felt it our duty to show up.I have arrived in a blackout, on my night off ,in 2 different colored flip flops because it was all I could find scrambling in the dark.There I was left manning the ED cardiac unit alone with 2 active chest painers and no doctor in sight. I stood in the ED on 9/11 waiting for patients while my own husband was down there and I didn't know if he was safe.

I am aware as I'm writing this I am relieving my own conscience that the truth is I have already decided that this time I am not going to show up.

For weeks after hurricane Katrina I thought of the nurse's those who both stayed and those that didn't and how they each felt as the water gradually rose up. I couldn't in my own heart arrive at a decision would I have stayed with vented patients or raced home to my family instead.

So I am inviting a discussion that when faced with an emergency is the call to serve greater or to serve family first? Personally, I am not leaving my children,my mind is made up but the consequences of the decision I am yet to find out

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

If many facilities didn't spend much of the "non-emergency" time of their nursing staff treating them poorly and reminding them they are "just a nurse" and can be replaced like *that* because there is a long line of people just waiting for a job then things *might* be different.

.

Exactly. Don't disrespect us year round then cry when no one will sacrifice potential well being FOR A JOB.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

Do some of the posters understand that this almost never ever ever happens in NYC ? Massive shut downs, flooding down Lower mahnattan, etc. where op lives/works? Bellevue is being evacuated because they are without water, elevators not working, and unable to function in safe levels. . It is not like a snow storm. In many communities in NJ people were told by the governor, get out and if you stay we will not be able to help you for a night at least . Sure let me stay and keep my kids home, because the backup babysitter left town. What about the resposibility of some of these hospitals to have evacuated earlier?. What did the hospitals in NJ coast do? I will try to search it out, as I know that those beach communities have hospitals. I would worry about my children because I would never assume anyone would not leave them to save themselves if it came down to it. Houses are not lighting up on fire because of leaks and live wires, flooding etc. At the end of the day, despite what many say, it is a job.

Before the flames start, I have come in during a state of emergency on my off day/night because I could get there and do not have anyone to care for except for myself. It was awful, roads and highways closed. Thank goodness for my knee high water proof boots. FLooding and evacuations. Limited supplies. I would never critique someone else for chosing not to come in. I will however critique my facility for not offering some type of hazerd pay or incentive.

[echoRNC711, BSN]

Well a quick update, I'm still employed!

I discussed my ambivalence in coming in with my boss. She was incredibly supportive, She also told me that as we are on off site facility not only did the nursing office have no authority to call me in bit that we are not under the jurisdiction of the nursing dept. She advised me in the future to only take directives from her.

So suffice to say big relief!

Thank you all for your support and commentaries,

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Great boss.