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.
i goo if i physically can get through. of course i am up north, and the plows come by and bury the end of your driveway in 3 feet of snow.i have gotten stuck in the driveway before because of this. This year, I even had plow companies refuse to do my driveway ("im not ruining my equipment on your driveway:wideyed:) anyhow, played it by ear. was fortunate to have 4wd
also to the comment about people with 4wd , I am usually being passed too- i dont care i still go slow- having 4wd doesnt keep you from slipping on black ice, or make you stop any better after going 55 mph in ice/slush /snow. I still swear at them too lol
Yes, now New York and New Jersey should be prepared for hurricanes. And Baltimore and Dover and Washington DC as well. Weather patterns are changing with global warming.
No, it is not that easy driving through uneven, hilly terrain. I know this. I've lived in the mountains, in the foothills and in southwestern Wisconsin where it's hilly. I have to say, I still made it to work, as did most of my colleagues. This business about "explaining to that nurse's loved ones why she died because you wanted their butts at work" doesn't fly. People who take jobs in hospitals need to show up at work even in bad weather in hilly terrain. If you can't or won't drive in snow, take a job close enough to work that you can walk, rent a hotel room, stay with a friend or arrive early. It really is that simple. No excuses.
Now the storm surge unexpectedly flooding your down, I get that. That's different. Unless you happen to have a boat you can use to get to work . . . . A tornado levels a tree across both of your cars in your driveway and the phone lines are out so you can't call your buddy to come pick you up . . . happened to a good friend of mine. A forest fire surrounded your home and you can't get out . . . . happened to another friend of mine. She was working nights and slept through the evacuation. Fortunately, she survived the experience. But just plain deciding that the weather is bad so you don't have to try to come to work -- no excuse. None.
You're killing me, Ruby!! Where in SW WI? And I'll back you up on hilly!! No glacier flattening the earth here
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I thought that it was bizarre enough when we had an earthquake in Maryland.
I really wasn't prepared for that.
I experienced that -- sort of. Was in the air having just experienced a more abrupt than usual take-off. Guess I'm lucky the timing was right. I didn't know about the quake until I got to Chicago, and every TV in the terminal was tuned to the "Washington DC earthquake." I'm prepared for snow, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, but it seems like the ground OUGHT to hold still!
No job is worth killing yourself over. They will just replace you anyway.
I think that is a slight exaggeration. If I stayed home with every heavy snowfall in Northeast Ohio, I would not have a job for long. You plan ahead, leave early, and take your time. I have been a nurse for 28 years in this part of Ohio and have never missed a day due to snow.
I think that is a slight exaggeration. If I stayed home with every heavy snowfall in Northeast Ohio, I would not have a job for long. You plan ahead, leave early, and take your time. I have been a nurse for 28 years in this part of Ohio and have never missed a day due to snow.
I've had some terrifying times driving to and from work on the interstates. Some of the people out there have no regard for anyone. One person I talked with stayed in a hotel near our work place to avoid dangerous driving weather.
martymoose, BSN, RN
1,946 Posts
i goo if i physically can get through. of course i am up north, and the plows come by and bury the end of your driveway in 3 feet of snow.i have gotten stuck in the driveway before because of this. This year, I even had plow companies refuse to do my driveway ("im not ruining my equipment on your driveway:wideyed:) anyhow, played it by ear. was fortunate to have 4wd
also to the comment about people with 4wd , I am usually being passed too- i dont care i still go slow- having 4wd doesnt keep you from slipping on black ice, or make you stop any better after going 55 mph in ice/slush /snow. I still swear at them too lol