Too much snow! Getting to work late again.

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New winter storm coming your way!! Are you prepared? Is your workplace prepared? With all the snow lately what is your workplace doing for backup when an employee can't make it in? What can we do to prepare when there's too much snow? Share your thoughts, policies, etc ... anything that can help.

Specializes in Post Anesthesia.
Snow tires are illegal in my state I use to use them religiously until outlawed, 4wheel drive for me.[/quote'] "snow tires" or "studded snow tires" are illegal?. There is a big difference between the traction you get with official "Winter Tread" tires vs "All Season". The weather is starting to break in our area so I am going to try to make it the rest of the year on "All Seasons" but before next winter I'm going to buy a "beater" with 4wd and put some winter tread tires on.
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I do have a question though. When Atlanta was getting the ice storm we were put under a state of emergency. If you're under a state of emergency, your employer can NOT force you to go into work. I've seen stories on here where nurses were told to get to work and sent other people to pick them up or told them to go to work the night before and sleep there. Would that be allowed under a state of emergency? Just wondering from my counterparts up north or in hospital/LTC. Thanks!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I do have a question though. When Atlanta was getting the ice storm we were put under a state of emergency. If you're under a state of emergency, your employer can NOT force you to go into work. I've seen stories on here where nurses were told to get to work and sent other people to pick them up or told them to go to work the night before and sleep there. Would that be allowed under a state of emergency? Just wondering from my counterparts up north or in hospital/LTC. Thanks!

Nurse are considered essential personnel, in my experience; think about it-hospitals and pts in facilities and in the community still need essential care, so in essence we are "essential".

I have went to work under a state of emergency; no issues.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I've lived in New England all my life and it is "expected" than you come to work in bad weather. It's just part of life in this area. That being said, if anyone knows of any NP jobs in the Caribbean, please hook me up. I'm tired of winter.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I do have a question though. When Atlanta was getting the ice storm we were put under a state of emergency. If you're under a state of emergency, your employer can NOT force you to go into work. I've seen stories on here where nurses were told to get to work and sent other people to pick them up or told them to go to work the night before and sleep there. Would that be allowed under a state of emergency? Just wondering from my counterparts up north or in hospital/LTC. Thanks!

In my state, our employee ID has a message on the back that we are essential personnel and are required to be at work during a state of emergency. Even when the roads are "closed." I was once stopped on a "closed" Interstate by police in a Blazer or Bronco or other high clearance 4WD vehicle who couldn't believe that I'd made it so far in my little FWD. They "escorted" me the rest of the way to work, telling me that nurses were their new heroes.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
On one bad snow storm my street was not plowed until 2 days after the storm. I had to trek through waist deep snow to a cleared street to catch a taxi.[/quote']

How did you manage to avoid becoming hypothermic, between trudging through waist-deep snow then sitting in a cab with wet clothing?

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
In my state, our employee ID has a message on the back that we are essential personnel and are required to be at work during a state of emergency. Even when the roads are "closed." I was once stopped on a "closed" Interstate by police in a Blazer or Bronco or other high clearance 4WD vehicle who couldn't believe that I'd made it so far in my little FWD. They "escorted" me the rest of the way to work, telling me that nurses were their new heroes.

​I would have loved to have seen that. I was inspired as a child when my next-door neighbor, who was an ED nurse, was picked up to go to work on snow-mobile.

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I live in an area of the South that does see snow, so I am prepared with an AWD or 4WD vehicle. I also pack a few items in the car for safety. I have a very early shift and often I am out before the plows. I plan ahead and get up early. In all my years, I've only been late due to ice a few times, but never missed. What kills me is when people who live nearby can't make it in, but those of use who drive through two or three counties with lots of curvy rural roads, show up on time. If you're a nurse, you have to be prepared and frankly, that's the reason I drive a 4WD instead of a nifty little sports car. Last snow, we had to stay at the hospital or stay nearby. I honestly don't know if a disaster was called or not, because it was clear as mud. After checking with my manager before I left, I stayed in a nearby hotel because I don't think my back could stand a night on a stretcher after nearly 30 years of nursing. Our director threatened to put any one who didn't show up the next morning in final corrective action. Yes, really feeling the love there. After I'd arrived at the hotel and paid to park, we were notified the hospital would shuttle us to and from hotels. I got no reimbursement. However, lab and pharmacy personnel were reimbursed up to a certain amount if they stayed at a hotel. It's on a department by department basis and well, my department is notoriously cheap. THAT inequity is what really gripes me. Such things should be across the board for necessary personnel. However, we did get a discount as a hospital employee that allowed us to stay at a very nice hotel and we had a great meal and a very nice night. Nurses always make the most of a challenging situation. We arrived the next morning before our area opened to see our less well rested friends stirring about, heard tales of getting kicked out of their designated bays to make way for other department staff and less than smooth use of the food vouchers handed out. If you have nearby hotels, ask for a hospital discount.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
When there are 4 foot snow drifts and higher for over 20 miles of country roads from 30-55mph squals lasting for more than sixteen hours. I missed my shift. I felt horrible....because call outs bite! The night nurse has to stay till 11 to cover. But seriously I have an intelligent 4 wheel drive that always makes it. Our facilities have a few rooms with mattresses on the floors...grab your own linens and shower...and clean up after yourselves, you can stay over if needed so we have staffing.

My facility does this as well. I have a nice air mattress with blankets etc in my trunk for emergencies. Not perfect, but I won't die getting to work or going home if I can help it. Ice storm coming to central Indiana tonight ?

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