Weather

Fiona59 · Dec 22, 2012

What's a "tow band"?

echoRNC711, BSN · Dec 22, 2012

Examine your heart not your defenses because that's where the truth is for you.

Keep your focus on the correctness of your actions not your bosses response.

Forgive yourself if you feel it wasn't the best choice and just learn from it. _____ a mistake just means your still teachable

If you feel your actions were correct there Is nothing to feel bad about. ______guilt is always a complete waste of energy,let it go

The root of both scenarios: amount to "forgive yourself. " (no worries,really ... move on )

BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

What's a "tow band"?

A "Tow Band" is when weather conditions are such that non-essential travel should be haulted, and wrecker trucks are unofficially asked not to go out in the conditions. I'm sure they vary place to place, but in Fairbanks, AK they meant drive out at your own peril.

Usually this band didn't pertain to essential personnel such as firefighters, police, utility workers, ambulances, healthcare personnel, locksmiths, military vehicles, and relief vehicles(all from my AK Fairbanks Paperwork.) Nurses scheduled to work were exempt from tow bands, as we are holidays, breaks, and safe working conditions-(joke).

It's kind of like here on the Gulf, don't call 911 during a Hurricane unless you just want the company, their not coming out:)

vintage_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

I read the first post like 4 times and still don't understand it...well, I get the jist of it, but man that is one run on sentence.

I would have went in, especially if I had already agreed to be there. I also live in Canada, and although a rather temperate part (we don't get a lot of snow usually)...we've had some pretty rough conditions.

Daisy_08, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

If roads were closed and you physically could not make it, fine. But it seems like you had a choice. Being a training day you could have called and asked if you can reschedule, I'd they say no, then you try and go in.

You may have cost your employer time and money. If you are already in the dog house by needing extra help in the first place this would not help

cardiacrocks, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

I live in an area in upstate NY where we receive a lot of snow as well. I drive 45 minutes one way to work, I own an SUV with snow tires, or I wouldn't be able to get out of my driveway. I hate snow. However, my nurse manager sees it like this, you (meaning me) chose to live there and work here, I expect people to come to work when scheduled, bottom line. I agree with the poster, I am not risking my life for anyone, however, I would at least try to make it to work, I'd leave really early and try my best to get there. As the OP stated, this is a 24/7 facility, patients still need care no matter what it is doing outside.

BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

Let me break the ice(pun) with a funny story about a dumb Norwegian-Mississippian(me) who should have known better.

One morning in Fairbanks, AK it was -36 degrees(coldest I had seen growing up in MS was 7 degrees)! People left hunted game on their roofs- it was that cold! I grabbed a huge metal tub full of lukewarm water to thaw windshield, and it stuck to my hand, ran water for 5-8 minutes to make it turn loose. Then, the water had of course frozen solid on my truck, and after 6 trips, it was drivable. Then I got in, and you guessed it, dead.

The nurses educated me, and one of their hubbies helped me install heater pads, and I got the garage working. I would get up 2 hours early to shovel enough snow to open the garage door after some storms. I worked one month- and back home to MS.

I worried while I was at work at night when it grew colder that if the electricity went out or gas cut out she would freeze to death before waking! I was obsessive about the boiler and wood heater.

The 16 hours of darkness suck too, we both got soooo messed up!! And, I have Arthritis at 30 from all the times I busted my tail on the ice. I did love ice-hut fishing though!

I salute you Northerners!!! Enough Northern Exposure for me:)

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

Would you have made it into work if it had been a regular shift?Sorry, I don't agree with not making it in to work because of the weather. I live in northern Canada and have never missed a shift due to weather. I drive a 4 wheel drive with four snow tyres and carry my block heater cord with me. I've made it to and from work in blizzards.

For real. I'm 3 hours north of you. If everyone used weather as an excuse, all the hospitals would be closed from mid November to April every year. Some people live an hour drive away too, and they make it in....unless there's a MAJOR storm.

wooh, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

If you have to, you show up the day before. I live an hour from work. I've slept there. I've shown up the day before. I've taken 4 hours to get there. You take a 24/7/365 job, you have to figure out how to get there when you're scheduled.

BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

Y'all are what I call "Real" women "Down South." Nothing cuter and TOUGHER! Than a woman and her 4x4!!! We worried about a nurse being late after we called and her husband said, "She left an hour ago, I'm on my way-something's wrong!"

I started her way, he started mine- we found her(her HORSE was spooked by a firecracker)!!! That is dedication!! The horse was found grazing later that day on a LLama farm, calm as an ocean sunrise.

She got 8 stitches, and finished her shift against my and her husbands advice- she is the reason I don't call in due to weather- she was 63 at the time!!!!:)

I will never argue again men are tougher than women!!(Actually I wouldn't have after witnessing my first birth- we men are whussies!!!!). You didn't hear that from Boston!!!!!!:)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

Okay I understand work is work and normally I would of stayed in town. This shift I said I would come in for was to do some bs training when I have done two other days and have other days set up. I guess I am up set about the fact my boss gave me the 3rd degree threw text. She will never answer her phone text is the only water can get a hold of her.

Just to bring a little levity....your auto correct had fun " the 3rd degree threw text" and "text is the only water can get a hold of her"...LOL

Well...when there are bad weather conditions and "Tow Bans" or "roads closed" to essential personnel only.....nurses are "essential personnel". Your work badge is actually your "pass" to make you authorized personnel. You now have a job that makes you essential personnel. Those road advisories are to tryb to keep the other isdiots off the road.

Now...there will always be those that will not go into work due to weather. Their choice I guess. Just remember that in the future that if you don't go in....someone else does not go home. As a nurse and manager.....I always knew who would come into work and who would not. Ironically it was the ones who lived the closet who "couldn't make it".

If you are driving slow you wouldn't fatally get thrown into a ditch and die in the crash....if you are going 20 miles per hour. Learn how to drive in snow....get snow tires and a 4 wheel drive/all wheel drive. Invest in tire chains. They are easy to out on and will save your life. Leave for work early....arrive late...go slow....they will be happy that you showed. Even if tire chains are illegal in your state get them. The times I have used them I would gladly pay the ticket if the trooper even saw me or would even stop me if they did.

IN your car have a sleeping bag/blanket, ganola bars, gallon of water, flares, fix a flat, windshield deicer, scraper/brush, cell phone charger ( and I carry an extra charged battery with me) Never let your car get below a half a tank of gas in the winter, a shovel, rock salt or equilivant, good winter coat, gloves and a hat..........some areas of the country a block heater....and Yes, I carry all that with me in the winter. Even if there is a tow ban....you get stuck the police will find some one to tow you out.

My most harrowing adventure to work was in the Northest/New England. They were predicting a HUGE Nor'Easter.....they were right. I lweft my house at 4am for my 8am start time and arrived at 9:30am when the commute usually took me 40-50 minutes. The conditions deteriorated quickly and the snow was at the bottom of my car windows before I realized it and thought ....maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I had a jug full of coffee a full tank of gas....and some good CD's.

There were no cars...now plows, no police. I drove down the middle of the road because at least then I wasn't going off the road. I had my tire chains on and I thought if they want to stop me I'll give them a cash prize right them and there! Tire chains are illegal where I live.

I got there...late....but safe. My co-worker was never so glad to see me...

You probably should have gone in especially as a new employee. Now your boss is wondering just how reliable you will be for her unit. But we all make choices....if your choice was right for you then so be it....don't feel guilty.

I wish you the best....Happy holidays!

Fiona59 · Dec 22, 2012

Let me break the ice(pun) with a funny story about a dumb Norwegian-Mississippian(me) who should have known better.
One morning in Fairbanks, AK it was -36 degrees(coldest I had seen growing up in MS was 7 degrees)! People left hunted game on their roofs- it was that cold! I grabbed a huge metal tub full of lukewarm water to thaw windshield, and it stuck to my hand, ran water for 5-8 minutes to make it turn loose. Then, the water had of course frozen solid on my truck, and after 6 trips, it was drivable. Then I got in, and you guessed it, dead.
I salute you Northerners!!! Enough Northern Exposure for me:)

You mean most people don't treat their back yard as a spare freezer??? My turkey and ice cream are out on the patio table, and frozen rock solid.

My favourite story is about the Australian who thought Canadians were so energy efficient that we all had electric cars. Broke his heart when he found out the plugs at the front are for the block heater cords.