Winter and Home Health

[wanderingRN.]

I currently work in florida as a home health nurse and am curious what it is like doing home care in a place where it snows. I will be moving to Maryland in a few months and will be working in home care and was wondering how those of u that do home care in the north like it? What happens when it snows? When there is sleet and freezing rain? Those are some of my main concerns as I have never driven in snow before.... Anything else I should take into consideration? Curious to hear ure feedback. Thanks in advance!

[twokidsmom,rn]

I live in Chester County PA. I watch the weather very closely. If there is a forecast with snow in it I plan my week to see most of my pts the day before and after the pending snow day. If the snow is planned overnight I will go out later in the AM or early afternoon and see as many as possible. If it is going to be later in the day I get a very early start and see as many as I can before it gets bad. I also have a bag of cat litter in my car and a blanket and make sure I have water and a snack just in case I get stuck for awhile and of course I keep my AAA membership up to date. Winter is not fun for a Northeast Home Health nurse.

[cathrn64]

When the weather is bad, depending on your agency, you can triage your pts and only see the ones that really need to be seen. If the snow is predicted for morning, I will plan to see pt's later in the day. If it will snow later, I try to get done early. Keep gloves, and warm weather gear in the car. Make sure you have a snow scraper. I also carry slippers or thick socks. When I need to walk through snow I can take my shoes off in the house. (if possible a car with all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive is also VERY helpful)

[HannahLeah]

Hi wanderingRN, I would say it depends on the infrastructure in place to deal with snow removal. I live in the far north where we average 250 inches of snow a year- it snows nearly every day here. We are very dependent on our big snowplows and sand trucks and a 4 wheel drive Jeep or truck is a must. I haven't seen dry roads since November but, our infrastructure is designed to keep us all moving and it usually does.

But, Maryland will only get once-in-awhile snow and then it will melt and get back to dry roads so you will not have to deal with it daily. Like the posters above have said, it would be an event that you avoid driving in and schedule around. Different places have different rules for "snow days", ask about it and let your employer know you are inexperienced in snow. From my perspective you won't be alone- everyone down there is inexperienced in snow! Get yourself a good sturdy vehicle that you are confident in and could use when the weather is bad. Maryland is beautiful, I envy you!