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.
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.
but would you "risk your life" to get home from work?
If I'm at work, I stay at work. Usually during very bad weather, present staff must work 20 hours straight and take 4 hours of rest and so on and so forth. One thing I noticed about my job in particular is that the SAME people always called out during inclement weather while the SAME people stayed and worked. I was one of those people who always worked and I was one of the people who complained to management about the individuals who never worked during inclement weather. And guess what? Nothing changed. The same people still call out whenever there's inclement weather to this very day. And now I call out too because I didn't see anything about being a designated weather nurse in my employee contract. And no I don't care about staffing issues or anyone staying because no one cared when I was there for long hours, it is what it is.
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.
Umm, how is it that the ones who called people 'special snowflakes' "just because they don't see eye to eye about whether one should risk their lives to come to work." you find as rude yet you turn around and say you won't be 'swayed by these martyr fools' that YOU don't see eye to eye with about going in during bad weather?
I too live in the south (right next door). I have lived here for over 2 years now, but I came from another state where although snow was not always common (high desert of California) I was used to driving in it. I learned many thing tricks such as following in the tracks of big rigs, but here with Black Ice being the bigger issue I have found that making arrangements has been the better idea. At both of the hospitals I have worked at they make extra rooms available for staff to staff if necessary to be able to report for scheduled shifts. The last storm that blew through about 2 weeks ago, I stayed at my hospital. I work nights, but because the major part of the storm was to start at about the time I would be driving in to work, I stayed the day. Fortunately, we have an entire unit we do not use right now, so it was quiet and clean. I was able to get sleep uninterrupted and had the availability of a restroom and shower. That night they had to open up the unit for the rest of the nurses that had to do the same as I did. Many hospitals take a very dim view of nurses who choose to stay home for "Snow Days", so why have a nurse manager be angry at you for not showing for a shift. I'm not saying we didn't have that issue, but why be one of those that does. Unfortunately, like postal carriers we work rain, sleet or snow. How we get their is up to us. Oh, and before I forget, the snow storm of 2 years ago (which I think was worse) the National Guard would get you to the hospital, you just had to figure out how to get home. Hope it helps.
When I became a nurse, 4 1/2 years ago, I had a 2wd truck. My first nursing job out of school was about 20 miles from my home. The majority of that was interstate, but there were less than 3 miles from my driveway to the interstate that are country roads. These roads are not treated by the county or the town I live in and when it snowed, I didn't usually get to go anywhere. I understand that the interstates are usually clear in snow storms, but it's the side roads (my less than 3 miles) that are not treated or plowed that are usually the problem.
That winter we had a few snows and I had my husband take me to work and bring me home, luckily one snow day was spent in a hotel that my employer put us up in. After that winter, we acquired a few 4wd vehicles and were able to get out. Now I work at a facility that has a "snow shuttle" (the company rents two 4wd vehicles and goes and gets workers scheduled for work). I still live in the same house I did when I got my nursing license in 2010, and I have two 4wd vehicles in my driveway, one F150 and one geo tracker. I have told my employer that if I call and say I cannot get out of my driveway to get to work, they are not going to be getting in to my driveway to pick me up. All I can say is you are needed at work in the snow storms, because those that are there when it starts are the ones that get to work when you can't make it. Just take it slow and steady, and don't make any sudden movements with the steering wheel or the brakes. Attempt to make it in, and if you can't then you should call off.
I agree with the person who said teamwork is key. I'm in the South also, and last time there was inclement weather expected, the person I was relieving texted me to ask if I'd come in 10p-10a so she could leave a bit later the next morning. Our charge nurse approved, I got to sleep a little longer before my shift, and we were both safe to drive to/fro in the morning. Problem solved.
I can't get behind a Northern nurse calling a Southern nurse a special snowflake as in general their weather experiences and driving skills and preparation are different, but I do think you can if your own coworkers are refusing to deal with the same weather, which also makes me believe that it isn't all that life threatening. And I do think people who live in the harsh conditions know the dofference and wouldn't want anyone to actually risk their life.
I also think, like I said in my first post 30 pages ago, that an inexperienced driver needs to do everything they can to obtain a safe ride to work. *I* may not drive in the snow but if it's doable I'm going to find someone to get me to work.
And it doesn't matter what I think about my employer, my employer has nothing to do with it. Or my coworkers except in a positive loyalty sense. It's all about work ethic and responsibility. A not so great employer or coworkers doesn't take away from my work ethic anymore than they can take away from my integrity.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
but would you "risk your life" to get home from work?