Rita's coming-my hospital won't close!!

bjpage08 · Sep 24, 2005

Need all of your input before possibly my last shift here today:
My hospital is about 4-5 blocks from the gulf and right in the path of Rita which is currently 170-175 mph winds.
They keep reporting on TV how the hospitals here are evacuating which they are, our last patient was air lifted out last night.
But...they are making us stay here and ride it out for the stragglers who didn't follow the mandatory evacuation.
We have absolutely no patients in this hospital but they refuse to close it and are keeping our ER open which consequently means that we need OR, ICU, etc. beds open as well.
The storm surge is expected to be quite high.
I'm thinking of leaving here today after my shift is over and evacuating and will probably get fired.
Am I crazy?
What would you all do if you were me?

I would leave. You will get another job. Your life is too valuable and I am sure your family thinks so too. Good Luck

grannynurse FNP student · Sep 24, 2005

UHHHHHH YAH, WHATEVER.
After reading this post and being from the generation in which you are speaking down upon, I will respectfully keep my comments of disagreement to myself.

Feel free to privately e-mail me. I find it interesting that the facility, In Galvestan, did not make anyone stay against their will. According to the physician, in charge, all 50 staff members and three three patients (who couldn't be moved) were volunteers. And I wonder who those firemen were, who responded to a fire in Galvestan last night, police officers dressed up to look like them, seeing the poster said all firemen had left the island. I am beginning to wonder just how accurate some of the things, posted, really are, which is one of the reasons I prefer to obtain my information from offical channels.

Have a nice day.

Grannynurse :balloons:

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Sep 24, 2005

I finally realize what is upsetting me most, everyone's attitude. You have hit the nail squarely on the head, it is everyone for themselves. And by the way, the Fire Department has not left Galvestan, at least not according to the mayor, who is remaining as well. I guess that is what is the difference between my generation and the current ones, most of us felt an obligation to our fellowman and a commitment to our profession. My take, on the current commitment and sense of obligation is only if it doesn't endanger me.
I really question the risk, having worked with the insurance industry. I'm sure risk management, of the facilities involved, was in on the decision as to who stays, who goes, the risk to the building, etc, etc, etc. No facility is going to risk the possibility of lawsuits, especially with the advance knowledge of the dangers. The facility is not mandating the entire staff stay, only essential personnel. The hospitals in my county mandated the same. Had the two not lost their roofs, they would have been open to receive me, immediately after EMS was allowed back on the roads. And for them, the North Port Fire Department and the staff of Venice Hospital, I am extremely grateful. I did not plan on having an asthma attack. I had taken my medications. I had used my rescue inhaler. I needed help. Thankfully, EMS and the ER was there for me and others. As it was, four days later I was taken to my ER, treated, stablized and transported to the Cardiac Unit of Sarasota Memorial. As, in New Orleans, despite the damage suffered by the staff, to their homes, they came into work.
Grannynurse

Grannynurse, the first rule in treating any emergency victim is to secure the scene. Does following that rule imply that our EMS people are not committed to their jobs?

I think not.

Today's young people don't lack commitment; they lack the ability to blindly sacrifice themselves to a causeless crusade.

And sticking around in an empty hospital in the middle of a hurricane is not anyone's idea of being noble--it's sheer insanity.

~ Angie O ~~ Also a granny ~~

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Sep 24, 2005

Need all of your input before possibly my last shift here today:
I'm thinking of leaving here today after my shift is over and evacuating and will probably get fired.
Am I crazy?
What would you all do if you were me?

I talked about this at work just yesterday with our CNO. She said that if you are on duty during the time of a catastrophic event your duty is to do what you can to save the patients. If there are no patients to save then your duty is to save yourself. If you are not on duty at the time of the event you have to obligation to the hospital only to yourself and your family and you cannot be fired for abandonment. I don't know if this is law or her opinions only. I do agree 100% and I would evacuate. I pray that you and your family are safe. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Be safe.

grannynurse FNP student · Sep 24, 2005

Grannynurse, the first rule in treating any emergency victim is to secure the scene. Does following that rule imply that our EMS people are not committed to their jobs?
I think not.
Today's young people don't lack commitment; they lack the ability to blindly sacrifice themselves to a causeless crusade.
And sticking around in an empty hospital in the middle of a hurricane is not anyone's idea of being noble--it's sheer insanity.
~ Angie O ~~ Also a granny ~~

It is my understanding, according to the physician in charge (and who remained) that the facility had three patients who could not be moved. Second, yes staff has a responsibility to secure one's self. They were apparently not asked to stay in their homes but to report to EOC Center or their facility, so that is a moot point. Despite the tragedies that hit New Orleans facilities, not one staff member lost their life or suffered a life threatening injury, unless you are aware of something.

It is yours and others take that it is sheer insanity to remain behind. Even if it was empty, which it was not, once the hurricane has passed, there are still those who remained behind. Does one think that these people could not, would not need a hospital's ER? And forget about air lifting the injuried out, you have the 'cane' heading inland. You have already evacuated the air craft, which takes time to reposition. What do you suggest be done? Tell the fools, they are fools for the most part, who remained behind and may need medical help, sorry you will have to wait??? You remained at your own risk. That may be a satisfactory answer for some and that may be their sense of commitment, it is not mine. I would evacuate my family but would stay if asked.

There is a lot of talk, here in Charlotte County, about the impact of Karina and Rita, and one's responsibility towards one's job and community, especially in healthcare and law enforcement. Most of those who are talking about 'getting out od Dodge' are in the 20s and 30s. Those that are willing to stay, in their 40s and 50s. Fortunately, for my county, the police, fire and healthcare professionals did not cut and run. They recognized their comittment to their professions, the community and their fellowman. And fortunately for Galvestan, Houston and other parts, their healthcare professionals, fire and police also did not cut and run, did not put their personal safety before their professional obligations.

Grannynurse

daisybaby, LPN · Sep 24, 2005

Grannynurse, the first rule in treating any emergency victim is to secure the scene. Does following that rule imply that our EMS people are not committed to their jobs?
I think not.
Today's young people don't lack commitment; they lack the ability to blindly sacrifice themselves to a causeless crusade.
And sticking around in an empty hospital in the middle of a hurricane is not anyone's idea of being noble--it's sheer insanity.
~ Angie O ~~ Also a granny ~~

Right on, sister.

What good is it for nurses to put their lives in peril by staying at an unsecure hospital when there are NO patients? A nurse cannot provide care to those who come in after the storm has subsided if s/he has lost his or her life or health during the brunt of it.

grannynurse FNP student · Sep 24, 2005

Right on, sister.
What good is it for nurses to put their lives in peril by staying at an unsecure hospital when there are NO patients? A nurse cannot provide care to those who come in after the storm has subsided if s/he has lost his or her life or health during the brunt of it.

Why is everyone believing that a hospital would leave it's property and staff unsecured? There are several patients, still at the facility, despite what the nurse who orginally posted otherwise. And what facility would leave its valuable property unsecured. Does everyone think they just got out and left the doors unlocked?

Grannynurse

nolaRN · Sep 25, 2005

My commitment is to my family. I chose to stay only to keep my short term disability for my unpaid leave when I have my baby. I did not want to lose my job. In retrospect, I would never do that again. It gets to a point where you have to save yourself. I went through hell in that hospital. Noone was taking care of the staff! Also, I don't recall that the original poster stated exactly where she was located.

grannynurse FNP student · Sep 25, 2005

My commitment is to my family. I chose to stay only to keep my short term disability for my unpaid leave when I have my baby. I did not want to lose my job. In retrospect, I would never do that again. It gets to a point where you have to save yourself. I went through hell in that hospital. Noone was taking care of the staff! Also, I don't recall that the original poster stated exactly where she was located.

Then, I do not blame you for your lack of committment to your facility. I suffered thru a lack of support from my facility and it took six months for me to wise up, hand in my resignation and leave hospital nursing.

Grannynurse :balloons:

Darlene K. · Sep 25, 2005

Hey RN34Tx
I've been all over this line of reasoning since I live on the Gulf too. (TampaBay) My advice: RUN like H***.
I was talking about this at work last nite. "I'd be in Georgia", I said. (My youngest sister lives in Atlanta.) "Gosh", somebody said, "I'd get fired and how would I pay my rent?"
"Rent on WHAT?" I asked.
No reply.
Get out of there. The Hosp should be doing the same.
Look: A Cat 4 or 5 hurricane is equivalent to a HIROSHIMA BOMB. What would you do if you had 12hrs warning of an ATOM BOMB going off near your hospital. Let that give you a clue.
Papaw John

Hey Papaw John

What hospital do you work at? I'm at TGH, right on the water!

austin heart, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2005

Feel free to privately e-mail me. I find it interesting that the facility, In Galvestan, did not make anyone stay against their will. According to the physician, in charge, all 50 staff members and three three patients (who couldn't be moved) were volunteers. And I wonder who those firemen were, who responded to a fire in Galvestan last night, police officers dressed up to look like them, seeing the poster said all firemen had left the island. I am beginning to wonder just how accurate some of the things, posted, really are, which is one of the reasons I prefer to obtain my information from offical channels.
Have a nice day.
Grannynurse :balloons:

I do not feel the need to privately e-mail you as I really do not think that either one of us is going to budge on our opinions. I do believe after reading all the posts in this thread that you are in the minority with your opinion even if the OP's information is incorrect. I guess that I, along with all of the other "current ones" (I am assuming you mean nurses of this generation, I am 32) will just have to agree to disagree with you as I really doubt that you will be able to change our minds no matter who your "sources" are. It is not that I have a lack of commitment, I would probably die trying to save my patients from harm but once all the patients have been packed up and taken to safety I feel that my commitment has been fulfilled. No, I do not feel a since of obligation to the people that do not have the since to heed warning and seek safety. I feel that they are taking THEIR lives, not mine, into THEIR own hands with their actions. After my patients are safely out of harms way my commitment lies with my husband and 7 month old son. If someone like you wants to volunteer to stay behind I think that it is noble and a great thing but I don't figure that I would be much good to the people that really need me (my husband and son) if I am injured or killed attempting to help someone that doesn't have enough since to poor water out of a boot because they are to stubborn to listen to officials telling them to evacuate and seek shelter.

I also went back and read all the posts made by the OP. He never stated what city he lived in nor what hospital he worked at. You asked him if he was in Galveston and he never answered your question that I can find. He simply states that "My hospital is about 4-5 blocks from the gulf and right in the path of Rita" which could be any number of places. I belive that you are taking liberties in assuming that he is in Galveston and that you know what hospital he is in as you are speaking of what the officials in his area are saying.

I hope that you too have a nice day.

grannynurse FNP student · Sep 25, 2005

I do not feel the need to privately e-mail you as I really do not think that either one of us is going to budge on our opinions. I do believe after reading all the posts in this thread that you are in the minority with your opinion even if the OP's information is incorrect. I guess that I, along with all of the other "current ones" (I am assuming you mean nurses of this generation, I am 32) will just have to agree to disagree with you as I really doubt that you will be able to change our minds no matter who your "sources" are. It is not that I have a lack of commitment, I would probably die trying to save my patients from harm but once all the patients have been packed up and taken to safety I feel that my commitment has been fulfilled. No, I do not feel a since of obligation to the people that do not have the sense to heed warning and seek safety. I feel that they are taking THEIR lives, not mine, into THEIR own hands with their actions. After my patients are safely out of harms way my commitment lies with my husband and 7 month old son. If someone like you wants to volunteer to stay behind I think that it is noble and a great thing but I don't figure that I would be much good to the people that really need me (my husband and son) if I am injured or killed attempting to help someone that doesn't have enough since to poor water out of a boot because they are to stubborn to listen to officials telling them to evacuate and seek shelter.
I also went back and read all the posts made by the OP. He never stated what city he lived in nor what hospital he worked at. You asked him if he was in Galveston and he never answered your question that I can find. He simply states that "My hospital is about 4-5 blocks from the gulf and right in the path of Rita" which could be any number of places. I belive that you are taking liberties in assuming that he is in Galveston and that you know what hospital he is in as you are speaking of what the officials in his area are saying.
I hope that you too have a nice day.

My conclusion was based on several bits of information. One, Galvestan was where Rita was projected to hit. Two, no other city or town, which did not evacuate, was located that close to the Gulf of Mexico, not even here in Florida. Three, he never answered any of my questions.

I was an assistant administrator, in a 450 bed teaching hospital in NYC. And covered a 1500 bed county hospital, across the street from my own, on my on-call hours. So, I do have experience in the running of a large facility. As a matter, we experience a total city wide melt down, our facility was short staffed, without power and full of patients, unlike the several patients in Galvestan.

And there is a difference between your generation and mine, a sense of duty and commitment. It might interest you to know that my daughter fully supports your point of view. Love her dearly but I disagree with her on this and strongly.

Grannynurse :balloons: