So I've been a nurse for 4 years now. I live in the south where snow is not common. As of today every school system in the area is closed due to the snow. I have no kids, but this tells you how bad it is in the area. I live in the country and it's a 35 minute interstate drive to the hospital where I work. I am not sure if I should attempt to get to work or simply call out. I feel like I should at least try, but I've never had this problem before because I haven't been scheduled to work during a snow event before. I have very little experience driving in snow and the roads aren't plowed out here in the country.
So what would you do in this situation? Or what have you done in the past?
I am posting this because I really want opinions of nurses, not just my family/friends who advise me to stay home.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I never thought a thing about you saying sweetheart or honey, but then again I'm from TN and it's common here
In most of the places I've lived, calling you "Sweetheart" or "honey", unless you're close friends or family, will come across as condescending or patronizing. Here on the board, without any context, it sounds patronizing. So does "Be Blessed," and "May God's Love Shine Upon You' and any other blatently religious statement used as a rote ending to your post or addressed to someone who may or may not share your particular religious bent.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Wow.. LOL... I'm in VA, and while it wasn't meant to be derogatory (how on earth?!) it also wasn't meant to be endearing.Just like calling the OP Honey, I'm just used to it out here. But I guess ppl can take things the wrong way. It is what it is I guess.
Yeah, around here, if you call someone any of those syrupy, saccharine terms or endearment (or not), it would not go over well. It's not us taking things the wrong way. It's just not done in this area. You have to learn to adapt to the customs from one area to another,
Yeah, around here, if you call someone any of those syrupy, saccharine terms or endearment (or not), it would not go over well. It's not us taking things the wrong way. It's just not done in this area. You have to learn to adapt to the customs from one area to another,
Adapt to the customs of what area? We're online. Just like someone mentioned before, where they are from calling someone sweetheart is nothing. Just like where I am. Every place is different. Why is everyone stuck on that? The snow post just got hijacked by what people in certain areas interpret as derogatory, condescending, etc. Like I said before, if whoever I was talking to before has a total issue with it then we can PM each other but spending anymore time on this and taking away from the original thread is pointless. It should just be dropped and left alone. We should all be able to agree to disagree. I see everyone else's point and I understand but also know we're all in different areas of the country and even then that isn't even a factor.
"Sweetheart"? "Honey"? We're not 5 year olds. I can't speak for EVERYONE here, but you come off as VERY condescending when you address your peers as such. But maybe that's your intent....
Sweetheart I've read the responses. I get the notifications every time someone comments on this thread. And while there MAY be good discussion on this thread there is also alot of arguements going on. No one is poking a bear. I'm sure the OP has read enough in the first few pages on what she should try to do and that should be enough. Why read 17 pages of people taking personal attacks at each other (and yes it's been happening). So please, you can save it.
I actually like working when the weather is bad. It's amazing how slow the ER is when the weather is bad:roflmao: In reality...I drive a Corolla, on Thursday I could not get my car out of the snow. We got 14 inches in 12 hours. I paid my brother to dig it out while I was at work (our engineering department gives rides in bad weather) and it took him three hours and my car got stuck repeatedly. The Tahoe that picked me up got stranded in a ditch for three hours. I have had my car 11 years. I have driven it in some squirrelly conditions and I never would have made it to work if I had not been picked up. I plan on buying a 4 wheel drive vehicle this year, but old faithful would not have gotten me to work and I would not have been comfortable navigating 14 inches of snow in a rear wheel drive vehicle. Sue me.
Wow.. LOL... I'm in VA, and while it wasn't meant to be derogatory (how on earth?!) it also wasn't meant to be endearing.Just like calling the OP Honey, I'm just used to it out here. But I guess ppl can take things the wrong way. It is what it is I guess.
Just ignore them. They Southern-bash on here almost as bad as they fat-shame.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
It is not "southern bashing". I lived in the South a while and put up with it, cause it was the custom of so many there. I got sick of it, however, and never got used to it. I am originally from Chicago and we don't do that there.
Anyhow, if someone has a problem with being called "sweetheart" (and that post did come across as very condescending to me as well), well why not respect them and just not do it? That is not "bashing"; it's being polite to those who don't like such terms of endearment. Most southerners I interacted with when I was there, would die before being considered "rude", so there ya go. Just stop, please.
Now, can we go back to the original topic?
Just ignore them. They Southern-bash on here almost as bad as they fat-shame.
So, just yesterday I thought of this thread because I went grocery shopping, and the clerk called me "Hon". She said "Did we put this on your rewards card, hon?". I didn't take offense at all, because of the context.
Anyway, I've never had to call out because of the weather. I drive an AWD and when the weather report calls for snow, I have my snow tires put on. I just allow myself extra time to get there and take a few emergency supplies just in case, like extra water, a snack, and a down sleeping bag.
I work nights and have dealt with the consequences of snow storms that occur during the night. Last week only 3 nurses and aides combined that were scheduled to work showed up. I had to stay in the hospital for 36 hours straight with only a 5 hour nap during that to cover the nurses who called off. As a courtesy to management and coworkers, always at least try to make it. If you can't you can't, but I think a good attempt should happen.
No, there have been a lot of rude responses. Particular 'seasoned' nurses calling other nurses 'special snowflakes' just because they don't see eye to eye about whether one should risk their lives to come to work.
I will not be swayed by these martyr fools. If I anticipate a snow event coming, I will plan ahead like I usually do if I can see it on the radar. Leave before the storm and pack to stay if necessary until the roads are clear again. However, I WILL NEVER risk my life to come to work...or anywhere... in any weather event deemed dangerous by local authorities. So far I haven't been scheduled to work during a storm so the issue hasn't come up this year.
And I'm usually the first to work doubles because a nurse or 2 calls in sick so someone from the last shift doesn't have to stay. So, I don't feel bad one bit if I need to be "sick" in dangerous weather.
I don't drive, I'm a public transit girl. I have went to work in blizzards, hurricanes, nor'easters, and in sub-freezing temps, and ice
I found ways to get to and from work; I have also waited for public transit in freezing temps for hours, concerned with frost bite amongst being prepared; and I assure you, I have all my digits and extremities and have yet to be fit by a car, truck, bus or train.
I have thought and planned ahead because I live in the northeast; I now work closer to where I live so that I can make it to and from work. The last snowstorm we had last week, certain buses were cancelled, one I frequented, but took the subway to another stop and got on a connecting bus and had to walk home in "whiteout" conditions. The next day for work, some buses were still cancelled, so I got up early to walk further to a bus stop, took the subway and the bus to work and got to work super early.
Having a good plan does work-most of the time.
I also think having these annual posts are full of cheeky entertainment, however, it should at least find posters thinking about having contingency plans-just in case.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
In most of the places I've lived, calling you "Sweetheart" or "honey", unless you're close friends or family, will come across as condescending or patronizing. Here on the board, without any context, it sounds patronizing. So does "Be Blessed," and "May God's Love Shine Upon You' and any other blatently religious statement used as a rote ending to your post or addressed to someone who may or may not share your particular religious bent.