Weather Policy

nynursey_ · Feb 14, 2014

Sorry-I just don't feel compassion or empathy for that same nurse who calls out each and every storm event while most of the rest of us make the effort to meet our obligations and end up working back to back doubles because of her and coworkers like her.I have NO compassion for those who just don't care. Our admin is rewarding the staff who made the effort,spent the night and worked OT by giving them an extra day off (a long weekend or a few days next week if they wish) A co-worker called out last week because she had no power. Really? I had everything ready,lanterns and flashlights,,uniform laid out, bag packed so I could take a hot shower at work.Buck up,buttercup.

Well, I'm sad for your lack of empathy and compassion for a nurse that has that situation happen. My entire house burned down last week and I had to use three of my personal days, which I'm sure turned my floor on its side for a minute. How did they respond? Phone calls and outpouring of love. No one demanded I "buck up, buttercup."

idialyze, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2014

I've spent many a night sleeping at a hospital, it's just what you do in times like this! Most of the time, the hospital was very accomidating, feeding us, finding empty rooms to sleep in, and paying at least on-call pay.

I think it has to do with the work ethic of us older nurses, and many young ones as well!

I have noticed that some of the younger nurses don't have this same ethic. I think it comes from parenting in this day and time. Nowadays it seems that kids are made to feel that they are special snowflakes, and if they don't want to do something, they don't

have to!

If they have a headache or case of the sniffles they just call in. They don't seem to have a feeling of loyalty to their patients or their fellow co-workers. It's all about ME!

nynursey_ · Feb 14, 2014

I've spent many a night sleeping at a hospital, it's just what you do in times like this! Most of the time, the hospital was very accomidating, feeding us, finding empty rooms to sleep in, and paying at least on-call pay.
I think it has to do with the work ethic of us older nurses, and many young ones as well!
I have noticed that some of the younger nurses don't have this same ethic. I think it comes from parenting in this day and time. Nowadays it seems that kids are made to feel that they are special snowflakes, and if they don't want to do something, they don't
have to!
If they have a headache or case of the sniffles they just call in. They don't seem to have a feeling of loyalty to their patients or their fellow co-workers. It's all about ME!

If the hospital is offering reasonable accommodations, I'm all for it. There are some hospitals that don't offer those accommodations, which is why I started this thread. Some don't have policies at all. I was curious to see how many out there do, and of the ones that do, what are the particular policies.

ktwlpn, LPN · Feb 14, 2014

not every single county plows accordingly. Not everyone's route to work is direct or safe..

Then those people need to make arrangements to enable them to access a safer, direct route to work.Car pool with co-workers if you are scared to drive alone. I have parked blocks away from my home due to the danger of flooding, I knew I could walk over higher ground in the fields and get to my car if the worst happened. At my facility if you don't work during a snow event/emergency you don't get paid. That seems to be the deciding factor for the staff. The ones who really depend upon the income make it in every time.

WE ARE DEPENDED UPON-WE ARE ESSENTIAL-every one of us is an important gear in the machine....-what don't you understand about that?

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 14, 2014

Except it isn't, because the snow/inclement weather caused the power to go out, and the roads to be unsafe. I'll say it before and I'll say it again--not every single county plows accordingly. Not everyone's route to work is direct or safe. I understand getting there, driving slow, taking your time, snow tires, safe car .. blah, blah, blah. But, again, if there is that one individual who DOES live that far from the hospital and the commute is going to be far too treacherous, then there shouldn't be the browbeating and the guilting/consequences that come along with a nurse throwing up her hands and saying, "You know what? I'm sorry. I'm going to have to take a personal day/come in late/find coverage because this is going to be too dangerous a trip given the snow circumstance." I'm not sure when it became customary to question everyone's intentions, but it's almost as if NM's don't trust the nurses to know their commute enough to know when it's going to be impassable. And that's really sad.

You know, you're right. Nearly 30 years of working in an area that gets snow...I've never considered any of these issues. We'll just have to come up with a way to make the staff that's already working learn how to suck it up and work 18, 20, even 24h with little let up.

I am not one of those "martyr" nurses, but this profession does sometimes require we go above and beyond. Maybe you wouldn't come in ahead of a storm so your unit is staffed...that's your call. Just don't expect your co-workers to agree with your choice.

FWIW, hotel accommodations can be used as an itemized deduction on taxes.

Maybe when you're working 20-30 years you'll understand the frustration of being the one to cover, over and over, because other staff don't put forth their best effort to get to work.

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 14, 2014

Then those people need to make arrangements to enable them to access a safer, direct route to work.Car pool with co-workers if you are scared to drive alone. I have parked blocks away from my home due to the danger of flooding, I knew I could walk over higher ground in the fields and get to my car if the worst happened. At my facility if you don't work during a snow event/emergency you don't get paid. That seems to be the deciding factor for the staff. The ones who really depend upon the income make it in every time.
WE ARE DEPENDED UPON-WE ARE ESSENTIAL-every one of us is an important gear in the machine....-what don't you understand about that?

Why is this so hard to comprehend?

nynursey_ · Feb 14, 2014

You know you're right. Nearly 30 years of working in an area that gets snow...I've never considered any of these issues. We'll just have to come up with a way to make the staff that's already working learn how to suck it up and work 18, 20, even 24h with little let up. I am not one of those "martyr" nurses, but this profession does sometimes require we go above and beyond. Maybe you wouldn't come in ahead of a storm so your unit is staffed...that's your call. Just don't expect your co-workers to agree with your choice. FWIW, hotel accommodations can be used as an itemized deduction on taxes. Maybe when you're working 20-30 years you'll understand the frustration of being the one to cover, over and over, because other staff don't put forth their best effort to get to work. [/quote']
That's great that they're deductible, but that'd require you to have the money up front for them. And some people just don't.
I do cover. I cover a lot. And the reason I do so is because 9/10, it comes back to me. I do it because when I need it, I know the favor would be returned. And I'm not bitter when I do do it because it has to be done.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2014

I think I was a little surprised when I read that staff would call out becauase of not having power at home....probably because when this has happened to me, I'm MORE likely to WANT to go to work at that point, since I can take a hot shower and do my makeup and hair with lighting! I don't think I can remember anyone calling out because he/she didn't have power....why would you want to STAY there?

Recently had a power outage. I packed up my stuff (by the light of a flashlight) and headed in early. No sense in sitting in the dark....?

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 14, 2014

That's great that they're deductible, but that'd require you to have the money up front for them. And some people just don't.
I do cover. I cover a lot. And the reason I do so is because 9/10, it comes back to me. I do it because when I need it, I know the favor would be returned. And I'm not bitter when I do do it because it has to be done.

I never said I was bitter, but you don't have the years in, covering as many of the rest of us do.

In other developments:

nynursey_ · Feb 14, 2014

I think I was a little surprised when I read that staff would call out becauase of not having power at home....probably because when this has happened to me, I'm MORE likely to WANT to go to work at that point, since I can take a hot shower and do my makeup and hair with lighting! I don't think I can remember anyone calling out because he/she didn't have power....why would you want to STAY there?
Recently had a power outage. I packed up my stuff (by the light of a flashlight) and headed in early. No sense in sitting in the dark....?

I mean, I wouldn't call out simply because I didn't have power … I'd just make sure I could take a shower at the hospital in order to be hygienic. This nurse didn't just not have power in her house … but given the middle of winter dilemma, I mean, that's a significant impact.

krisiepoo · Feb 14, 2014

It was meant to be a joke. No snark intended. Other than a giggle, yes, I have nothing to contribute to this subject.

I found it hilarious and I'm supremely jealous!

nynursey_ · Feb 14, 2014

I never said I was bitter, but you don't have the years in, covering as many of the rest of us do.

In other developments:

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I didn't say you were bitter either. I'm sorry if you gleaned that from my statement. I meant that I wouldn't feel any type of way about having to cover. 10, 20, or 30 years in, I s'pose I can't predict how I'll feel, but in all honesty, I don't see it changing. I don't mind. I tend to be pretty sympathetic to the issues of other people. I would want the same in return.

And I LOVE that photo. I hung it up at work the other day. Bahaha.