WNC/TN border counties.....THE GORGE-HELP

[Southernurse]

Holy smokes! I was in one of the big wrecks on 40 in the Gorge on Tuesday night! I was not allowed to leave early like I wanted to to avoid all the snow and ice, and was nearly sandwiched between one tractor trailer and the trailer of a jackknifed truck sliding up behind me! We were trapped for 4 hours, and it was COLD! Shouldn't the agency have let me leave at an earlier time to allow for safe travel? I finally was rescued and was brought back to a hotel where I slept for 4 hours and went back to work. If it wasn't for my client, I would have been stranded on 40 with no way to get out. All the agency said was to keep them posted. Gee, thanks. I feel so taken advantage of. All the agency wants is to cover their hours, apparently at any cost. What do y'all think?

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Yes, the agency only wants to see the hours covered. That should be no surprise to any nurse. Sometimes we have to just say "this situation is too dangerous and either you relieve me or I go and face the abandonment charges". I have seen this issue so many times. Only you can make the judgement. I think I would have just gotten a room and waited until the conditions were better to go home.

[Southernurse]

yeah, i would have been stranded but the hotel was close to my client's house. i was threatened with being fired if i would not drive in the snow and ice. my truck is rear-wheel drive and useless in the elements. i guess i should not be surprised, but at what cost do we work?