Snow- at what point do you call out?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

You are reading page 10 of Snow- at what point do you call out?

Specializes in Rural, Midwifery, CCU, Ortho, Telemedicin.

If the roads are plowed - you go to work. If, physically, you are unable to drive your vehicle, then call in. Since you are on orientation I hope that the snow will be documented. If you don't show they call in someone else. I once, from >120 miles away over icy and snowy road following the snow plow thru >20 feet of snow in one week went to work to replace a "fellow" nurse who called in because she couldn't drive in 2 INCHES of snow. When I found out and when administration found out - nobody was happy.

pattyweb

70 Posts

Specializes in Medical/Oncology, Family Practice.

I live 35 minutes from the hospital I work at. About 1/2 mile gravel, 4 mi county roads, 12 miles 2 lane highway, the rest 4 lanes. There have been days where I wouldn't have made it to work, but I look at the forecast and plan ahead. If it calls for more than 3 inches of snow, or there is freezing rain or ice in the mix, I stay in town at my parents (5 min away from the hospital). Our hospital also has about 10-15 rooms for people who live out of town and need an emergency place to stay d/t weather. I have also gone home after work in the morning, grabbed my stuff, and turned around and gone back to town to sleep because the forecast for that day was bad but we didn't know it until the middle of the night before. I have gone into town early in the morning to sleep there because there was bad weather forecasted and I was supposed to work at 7pm. In the winter, I have an extra uniform in the car, keep a days supply of all my allergy/asthma meds in my purse, and have a travel bag packed and ready to go if needed. I have never called off for weather, and have worked an overnight and been in charge when 3/4 of our day shift called in by 6am. The people who came in at 7am said the roads from all directions weren't bad because the temp was going up and ice was melting, people were just too scared to leave their driveway. Those people all were called back and told to get there as soon as they could, but be safe.

If all else fails, our night supervisor lives 2 miles from me and goes in at 11pm. So I guess if I can't make it by 7, she and I can ride in together (or one of our husbands can take the truck to take us in with 4 wheel drive!)

chevyv, BSN, RN

1,679 Posts

Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I live 45 minutes from my job and also am casual. Although I have never called in due to weather, I would if I felt it necessary. I drive rural roads and would be spending long nights in a ditch. That doesn't appeal to me in the least. My employer could give a rats butt about the employees and if it wasn't for my wonderful residents, I wouldn't give a rats butt either! Seeing as I do love my residents, I take every measure to be there. I bring an overnight bag just in case.

I have to take care of myself. My job is not my first priority. My family is. My employer won't raise my children if something happens to me on my way in or out. They might get a card or plant, but thats it. My family is first, period.

nurseinlimbo

262 Posts

I admire the ones who say they would move into town to make it to work but that is just not realistic for everyone. What about single mothers with children? What about those who share a vehicle with a spouse who works somewhere else? What about farm animals who have to be looked after in between shifts? What about those who work multiple jobs in different towns and sometimes have shifts booked at both in one day or one week? How do we decide which job we camp out at? As much as my manager might like it, I don't live just to work for them, there are many other responsibilities that I have to think of as well.

OldnurseRN

165 Posts

Specializes in ED, Med-Surg, Psych, Oncology, Hospice.

I have never called in due to weather in any of the facilities I've worked. I am close enough to walk to work, if necessary, now. What bothers me is our hospital's policy is that unless the roads are "officially" closed staff is required to be there. HR actually requires a WRITTEN paper from the Dept of Trans documenting that road is closed. A phone call won't work, a fax won't work, the employee has to go themselves to their county seat and get the paper. Guess that says what isn't being said about how management regards their staff.

cbreuklander

20 Posts

Hard to get to the county seat to get that piece of paper when the roads are closed!

Management should take a hard look at how much they value the lives of their staff. It's harder to get to work post accident, no matter how serious.

SamyRN

35 Posts

After reading the replies here, I felt the need to clarify my earlier post (#70) especially now since no one wants to work with me...:sniff: (I just don't understand :confused:! I would think everyone would want to work with me; I will BE THERE to relieve you for my shift, come hell or high water, or 2 feet of snow!!!:nurse:)

My clarification: I mentioned that the nurses in my past who said they couldn't make it in on night shift because of snow were sent rides in 4 wheel drive trucks. The drivers said they made it easily to the nurses homes, over well-plowed roads that they said even a two wheel drive car would have had no trouble on. No hills, no drifts, no problems. They made it to the nurses homes easily, and the nurses refused the rides, saying they weren't going to "put their lives on the line". The roads were CLEAR! These were the same nurses who called in regularly for BS reasons, especially on the weekends when there was a good band playing downtown... None of the three I'm speaking of work here any longer.

I like what another poster said regarding waiting for the roads to be cleared. That is exactly what I was referring to when I said I've never missed, but have been late on occasion because of the snow/ice. I live back a rural secondary road that doesn't get much attention any time much less in the winter snow. County roads staff eventually get to our road, and even though I have to drive up an incline to get to the main roads, it isn't an issue unless there is plain, slick, evil ice. Even then the road crews spread cinders eventually and I can navigate with a front wheel drive minivan; no 4 wheel drive.

I understand fear of driving in bad weather; however is that an excuse to not go to work, especially in a job as important as taking care of sick people? In a job for instance, in a restaurant where customers aren't going to be coming in anyway because of the weather, my line of thought would be significantly different.

I am not saying people should "put their life on the line" to get to work. I have lived in this rural area my entire life. I've learned to drive on snow and ice. I never feel I'm "putting my life on the line" even in treacherous conditions, because I drive according to the weather conditions. As many mentioned in this thread, I leave early, take my time, plan ahead, and use common sense and sensible caution. I don't take stupid chances. Although we seldom have more than 1 foot of snow, we have been hit hard with ice storms. EVERYONE has different situations in that regards too (types of treacherous driving conditions.)

I'm realizing that my facility is above average in caring for their employees. They do offer lodging and food so that staff can be here for their shifts. Yes, it may mean leaving their family. Who wouldn't want to get an unexpected, exciting "snow day" at home with their family? Unfortunately, there are many times when working in healthcare pushes me (responsibility-wise) to do things I don't want to do. However, I knew that going in to it.

I understand, too, the special situation of a single parent with no one at home to watch their kids. I guess I've always tried to approach these issues with problem solving attitude instead of a "can't do" attitude. Where do the kids go when they are sick and home from school? Perhaps there isn't always a good answer, but if it were me, I wouldn't give up easily.

So, long story short, we all have specific, special circumstances with our jobs and lives. I cringe when I read the posts that nurses don't feel they get any appreciation for making it to work in bad weather, or that they don't even get food when they stay over to be certain they are there for their shifts. However, do any of us do anything we do to get kudos from administration? (It would be nice, but ... really?!:icon_roll )

Call me co-dependant if you wish. I consider myself consciencious and responsible.... (it sounds much better anyway...!)

Specializes in Women's Health.

try to make it in; your colleagues will be glad to go home...... we only get to call in dead!!! LOL

nurseinlimbo

262 Posts

when the road is closed, the road is closed. When visibility is nil there's no way I'm going out on the road. Have slept at work rather than drive home as well. Wherever I am stranded I will wait it out.

Specializes in LTC, Acute care.

I read some of the posts from a year ago and I was just smiling. I refuse to put myself in danger just so I can get to work, new grad or not but if they send someone to pick me, I'll pack a change of clothes and go merrily with them. My thing is I chose to put my life as a priority in cases like this because as we all know, a dead/injured nurse is no use to her patients.

Where I live schools and businesses were closed today because of snow and the weather forecasters are predicting treacherous conditions on the highway tomorrow. I haven't always been this way and have never called in for weather but a week ago on my way to work, despite all my precautions, the car in front of me slid and came rushing toward me while at the same time another driver rear-ended my car. I still made it to work. On time. Thankfully I was unhurt(the other drivers too) but after my legs stopped shaking from the shock of the accident, I made a decision never to put work ahead of my safety. Almost becoming a car-sandwich will make ya rethink your priorities!:nurse:

Specializes in NICU.

I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Lake Superior side)--we regularly get dumped on. I suspect that the local hospital won't be very tolerant of call-offs d/t snow (I'm a student, and thus follow my campus's policy). This thread is making me very curious as to what my hospital's emergency policies are.

Specializes in NICU.

Ok, this has some profanity in it, so avoid watching if that bothers you.

But this sums up my feelings on Michigan winters (I was raised in North Carolina).

+ Add a Comment