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.
DFW here as well. IMO, the ONLY legit excuse to call off of work on a snow day is if you are in a ditch and can't get a tow out of it in time to make it to work. At LEAST try. Don't just call out. We had several people sleep over at the hospital last week and last night. I live close enough that I was able to make it home for 3 days on sleet, snow and ice. The drive to work wasn't that bad since I work night shift and the roads had thawed/hadn't frozen again yet in the evening. I heard that the nurses who slept over were treated terribly and didn't get much sleep. I'd rather take an hour to get home 5 miles away and sleep in my own bed than sleep on a hard pallet in the floor and get woken up at 0400 or 1600.
I DO see how children could make the situation more difficult. I have a child, but my husband's job is such that he can stay home and watch her if needed. We don't have family close enough to watch her. I don't know WHAT I would do if I were a single mom on a snow day with no child care. I guess the kid has to come first, work second. Either that or they could make it an impromptu "take your kids to work" day :)
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Seriously? I should not wait until the weather hits to ask these questions? Do you really believe that how I will get to work hasn't crossed my mind until now? I am not going into work an entire 24 hours early so that I will not miss my shift. Sorry I'm not that dedicated. I might show up 12 hours early but no sooner. My life does not revolve around the hospital. I also will not be paying a non-reimbursed hotel bill. I already know how my hospital handles these situations. Since I haven't been in this situation before I was just asking for helpful opinions. I didn't post this question to be criticized.
You did post on an internet forum, knowing that there would be people with very strong opinions; especially those of us who DO plan ahead, make the effort to get to work and have been burned by coworkers who are too special to make the effort themselves. Being criticized is a part of being on the internet; and AN is softer than most internet forums. The moderators tend to remove death threats and the like.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I applaud many of you. Very dedicated nurses here . However, I am not going out of my way to rent a motel/hotel room, sleep at a stranger's house, or drive through a blizzard with zero visibility. What? Now, I WILL stay over if I am asked to and I WILL leave an hour or so early to make it in; however, I WILL NOT go to work 24 hours in advance for my shift. Sorry, but no.
If this is your attitude, I hope you live somewhere that weather emergencies are rare and/or that you're not at the bedside.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
For every person that "can't make it in to work" - a nightshifter (or dayshifter, depending on when the storm hits) has to stay over and work past their hours. If you are scheduled to work, WORK! No ifs, ands, or buts.
Unfortunately, it's another reflection of the "It's all about me" mentality.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Seriously? I should not wait until the weather hits to ask these questions? Do you really believe that how I will get to work hasn't crossed my mind until now? I am not going into work an entire 24 hours early so that I will not miss my shift. Sorry I'm not that dedicated. I might show up 12 hours early but no sooner. My life does not revolve around the hospital. I also will not be paying a non-reimbursed hotel bill. I already know how my hospital handles these situations. Since I haven't been in this situation before I was just asking for helpful opinions. I didn't post this question to be criticized.
Do you think the staff who get stuck working late because others don't make the extra effort to show up on time have lives that revolve around work?
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
It's not just those without children who have had to put up with it. I have children and I have never, ever called in beause of weather. I make sure to plan ahead and I get in, come hell or high water. I've ended up working hour past my shift or working short because I was able to get in and others just didn't even try to.
I, too, am tired of that 'I have kids' excuse.
What's funny is shortly after I poster that, someone else came along with the familiar refrain of "But the children! My children!" LOL.
I should have stayed at home when I had my two cats. They needed me and depended on me. /sarc
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
You did post on an internet forum, knowing that there would be people with very strong opinions; especially those of us who DO plan ahead, make the effort to get to work and have been burned by coworkers who are too special to make the effort themselves. Being criticized is a part of being on the internet; and AN is softer than most internet forums. The moderators tend to remove death threats and the like.
Nothing like having to put up with "special snowflakes" during a snowstorm.
I have no problem being labeled a "special snowflake" by people I don't know and will never meet on an internet forum. I was under the impression that adults could disagree without name calling but guess not. If it makes you feel like a bigger person to make jokes and call names, then right on I say! Yes, I absolutely look out for number one and will continue to do so because I am not a martyr and do not profess to be one. You do you and let me worry about what I am doing over here. Oh and should your cats require TLC then by all means stay home with them.
Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.
It's not just those without children who have had to put up with it. I have children and I have never, ever called in beause of weather. I make sure to plan ahead and I get in, come hell or high water. I've ended up working hour past my shift or working short because I was able to get in and others just didn't even try to.
I, too, am tired of that 'I have kids' excuse.
It is not just inclement weather that folks use the "I have kids" excuse, what about them needing ALL Holidays and Weekends off. Really?
I have kids and I manage to work my share of weekends, holidays and always came in when I was scheduled to work, despite road conditions.
For those who use the above excuse, let me give you a tip....your family and friends are just as important to you as mine are to me.
Nursing is a team sport....it takes a village to care for all of those patients.....we need to be good team players.
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. However, I am not going out of my way to rent a motel/hotel room, sleep at a stranger's house, or drive through a blizzard with zero visibility. What? Now, I WILL stay over if I am asked to and I WILL leave an hour or so early to make it in; however, I WILL NOT go to work 24 hours in advance for my shift. Sorry, but no.
ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN
363 Posts
DFW here as well. IMO, the ONLY legit excuse to call off of work on a snow day is if you are in a ditch and can't get a tow out of it in time to make it to work. At LEAST try. Don't just call out. We had several people sleep over at the hospital last week and last night. I live close enough that I was able to make it home for 3 days on sleet, snow and ice. The drive to work wasn't that bad since I work night shift and the roads had thawed/hadn't frozen again yet in the evening. I heard that the nurses who slept over were treated terribly and didn't get much sleep. I'd rather take an hour to get home 5 miles away and sleep in my own bed than sleep on a hard pallet in the floor and get woken up at 0400 or 1600.