The every year Snow thread

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I know every year someone posts a thread about the trials and tribulations of going to work in a snow storm. After 10 years in nursing I still dread the snow. Usually my hubby takes me to work and picks me up in snow storms. Now that we have a little one who is 1 year old those days are long gone. So now I have to decide on what I'm going to do this weekend when we are expected to get 8 to 10 inches Friday into Saturday. Do I book a hotel now close to work? Do I make arrangements the night before the storm to spend the night at work for my day shift the next day? Or do I just try my luck in the AM getting to work in one piece? Gah. My dream is to eventually convince hubby to move to an location where snow is rare or minimum. A girl can dream .

Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
your tips are fine, but even if I drive like a pro the problem is *other cars* sliding and slamming into me. Just because I know how to drive in snow doesn't mean everyone else on the road with me does.

You bring up the importance of driving defensively and leaving space so that others do not have the opportunity to hit you.

Some accidents are unavoidable, but most are avoidable. Not driving because you fear other people... well I felt that way every time I drove to a 330am shift and the roads were full of all the drunks driving home from the bars. But I went to work.

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Specializes in ICU.

And this my friend is why I live in FL 😉 No advice I can give you, but sending prayers to ya! Once a beach girl, always a beach girl!

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God speed to everyone living on the East Coast.

I am jealous that your hospital sets up cots for those that have to stay. I don't think my hospital would do that. I would just take a gurney in PACU and camp out there, but don't know what I'd do about a shower.

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Where do you live?!!!

Texas 😩

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Any colleagues with a couch or an extra room? Nuts to a hotel!

Learn how to drive in the snow:

1. Slow down and leave space between you and other cars.

2. Gentle steering and acceleration.

3. Brake BEFORE the curves, not in them.

4. Don't stop on the uphill.

5. Wheel placement! (Don't text or screw with the radio and let your wheels wander into the deep stuff.)

6. Front wheel drive sedans with 4 snow tires will out-drive the trucks and SUVs without snow tires every single storm!

7. Rear wheel drive? Sand bags in the back for traction!

8. GOT TIRE TREAD??? 2/32" is the bare legal minimum, but it is like having a bald tire in the snow. 4/32 is your bare minimum tread depth to survive snow driving.

9. Extra clothes (including glove, hat, and waterproof jacket), food, water, reflective vest, flashlight, tool kit, and even sleeping bag. You should have these anyway!

10. Go find an empty road or parking lot and PRACTICE!

It always shocks me when I meet people who have lived in snowy climates for years and still haven't learned how to drive in snow. Then again, a lot of people suck at driving in general... look at all the people cruising in the passing lane.

I know how to drive in the snow.I am especially good at driving home. I made it to the end of my street , after a cop pushed me out of a major road on the way. I am saying screw my job... I will stay safe.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Appropriate timing for this thread with the forecast for the east coast this weekend. I feel for those of you living there and sincerely hope it is nowhere near as bad as expected. I too live in a snow belt, but no significant snow in one storm..yet. I do live close enough to make it in usually and have never missed work for weather. Been late once, been stuck at work for the storms duration twice. Not bad in over 20 years there.

Used to be the local police would provide transport for essential staff, but that stopped years ago. Now we have a list of staff with big trucks that volunteer to pick up local staff so about the only people that miss for weather are a few that live out of town and mostly they manage to get there somehow.

We don't have real good accommodations to stay at work so that is the by far the least favorable outcome and there is not a single hotel close to work so that option is out. Besides which unless my employer would be willing to foot the bill [and they aren't] I wouldn't do that anyway.

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Snow tyres.

Canadian. Love to read this yearly panic thread. Bring back memories of an a nurse we hired from Texas. He panicked when he saw ice crystals in the air. He drove Dodge Ram. We were like snow tyres and a couple sacks of kitty litter in the cab for when it starts to snow. He thought we were a mean bunch

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Specializes in Hospice.
Snow tyres.

Canadian. Love to read this yearly panic thread. Bring back memories of an a nurse we hired from Texas. He panicked when he saw ice crystals in the air. He drove Dodge Ram. We were like snow tyres and a couple sacks of kitty litter in the cab for when it starts to snow. He thought we were a mean bunch

Just goes to show ya-not all Special Snowflakes have 2 X chromosomes...[emoji56][emoji300]️

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Just got the message from the powers that be to be prepared to be called in Sunday! They are providing meals, blankets, pillows and a place to sleep. Guess I'll be spending my weekend at work. [emoji13]

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who is considered essential personnel? our governor just issued a state of emergency, and my brother's employer is trying to tell the therapy staff they're "essential personnel" and required to be at work this weekend. is that actually true? how are physical therapists essential staff? no one is going to die if they don't get therapy in sub-acute rehab on the weekend.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Wow. This thread gives me major anxiety. Glad I'm a southern girl.

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Specializes in er,cvicu,icu.

Being a southern girl ain't gonna save you this weekend. I'm in SC and they are calling for 3-5 inches between tonight and the am. Yes it happens rarely but it still happens. Hope everyone is safe.

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