Hi, I would really appreciate hearing from lots of people about what you do when you have to work but the roads are covered in snow and ice. I get many sarcastic or unrealistic responses from people I've asked. I should explain that snow and ice are still somewhat new to me, AND I have driven in a HORRIBLE ice storm and am still somewhat traumatized!
Once when I wasn't scheduled to work, the roads were treacherous and I was SO grateful to be off! When I asked my coworkers about it the next day, they said "they weren't that bad, I just drove slowly!" I'm happy for them, but I have slipped all over roads, even when I went slowly, and even slid through stop signs.....and it is SCARY!
I asked a paramedic what they do when there is an emergency out on rural roads that haven't been salted, and she said there's not much they can do, and maybe it's just that person's time to die......gee, what a great answer! (NOT!) :angryfire
I applied for a new job and asked the manager about snow and ice, and she said: "I *ALWAYS* make it into work, NO MATTER how bad the roads are, and I live a lot further than you!" The thing is, I am dedicated to my job, but I am *NOT* willing to slip and slide on icy roads and risk my life......
So please tell me......what is your employer's view on this, and what do YOU do when the roads are just terrible?
I really do agree no one should risk their life to get to work. But, playing the devil's advocate here....we each risk our life every time we ride a bicycle, drive a car, ride in a boat, take a bath, etc. I think management expects everyone to use good judgement and attempt to keep up your end of the work contract. Non clinical staff have called in to say they weren't going to be in because of the weather. I did drive 45+ miles in the same weather and did just fine. She stayed home and "slept in". It's that kind of attitude that makes it difficult for the rest of us. "Those of us who can endure must endure for those who won't".
Specializes in Prof. Development, New Grad. Residency.
I live in Canada, it is like that here form December till march.
I should move
I agree with "elkpark". If you live in Canada, and you are still new to driving under these conditions, I would suggest 1) make sure your tires are in good condition, and they are the right type of tire for the location. Should you have chains? Talk to the locals , get your car checked out for winter. 2) Maybe a different car is appropriate, but this is cheaper. 3) Have someone teach you how to drive in the conditions in this area. If you plan to stay there, you need to be more comfortable with it.
4) I live in the Chicago area, and although I am not in a rural area, we all manage to get to work, unless it is a sudden, heavy snow. some of my employers have sent Security to pick up staff. One of my V-Ps of Nursing actually went out herself to pick up staff. I also know that in some locations, they use snowmobiles. Good luck, you need to be safe.:)
I live in Northern Ontario Canada where winter is November to April, lots of snow, ice, wind etc. My employer certainly expects us to do our best to get to work, but at the same time does not give us a lot of grief when weather really puts us at serious risk.
But they don't feel the same way about staff who consistently don't get to work due to weather when other staff make it from further distances.
I agree with other answers - good tires, good car maintenance, always have extra warm clothes, candles/matches etc. in your vehicle; have a cell phone with you and take an overnight bag of stuff "just in case".
Sometimes I leave in a wicked storm, and 10 mins later the weather is much improved.
Don't take foolish chances, but the more you drive in all weather conditions, the more confident you will be; and your patients and co-workers will appreciate the efforts you make to get to work. The ultimate decision is yours to make.
I live in rural Northern Michigan 50 miles from my hospital at the bottom of 1/4 hill. We start our shifts at 0700. I call them at 0400 and tell them I'll be in if I can make it to the top of the hill which is never plowed by that time in the morning. Then I snowblow my driveway, and head out. If I get stuck I call them and tell them I won't be in. ...
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Wow, this thread reminds me why I love living in the desert! (Phoenix)
I live in the Texas Pnahandle and my employer expects me to show up regardless of the weather. When the Highway Patrol closes the interstate ( which is the only road that I can take to get to work (30 miles) my employer still expects me to come in even though driving on the closed road is considered a crime.
I live in the Texas Pnahandle and my employer expects me to show up regardless of the weather. When the Highway Patrol closes the interstate ( which is the only road that I can take to get to work (30 miles) my employer still expects me to come in even though driving on the closed road is considered a crime.
So. You're supposed to risk life and limb AND break the law to get to work. That is ridiculous. Did your employer stop to think about the lawsuit your family might consider for loss of life, wages, pain and suffering if you died as the result of this ill-considered edict? I'm no lawyer, but I think your employer should consult one in the matter of demanding an employee take such risks to get to work. Personally, I drive in winter conditions. But I would NEVER drive on a road that the highway patrol has closed. They do that for a reason. If my employer had a problem w/that, they could speak to MY lawyer (as if I have one, I might hire one, though, in a case like this):uhoh21:
Hey, if a mailman can be dedicated to make it through "rain, sleet, snow and ice"-- so can a nurse.
Now a blizzard is something else entirely....
Where I just moved away from in CT, the mail didn't come on snowy days. And I lived in an ordinary suburb, not out in the sticks. But they never showed up until the day after the storm.
And as for blizzards, I recall one blizzard where the nurses who chose not to come to work were summoned into their manager's office and called on the carpet. IMNSHO, it all goes back to that stuff they trained us in nursing school about our needs always having to be subjugated to everyone else's...
I live in northwestern Wisconsin where winter driving is a fact of life. All the advise in this thread about being prepared is great. I've lived here for years and never thought of following the city bus or truck routes - great idea! As for company policies - most employers expect you to get to work if you can, but don't expect heroics to get in. If you live several miles away from work or in an area that isn't plowed in a timely manner I doubt if your boss will be upset as long as the weather is truly bad and not a normal winter day for your climate.
My employer has to have the strangest bad weather policy I've ever seen though. The "inclement weather policy" states that all employees living in town are expected to be on call. Doesn't say if they are paying me on call wages! There is also a list of employees with 4 wheel drive willing to pick up or take home employees as well. On the rare occasions it gets truly bad, like blizzard bad, the local police will transport essential personnel by snowmobile.
This reminds me of the time a CNA asked if they could go home because it was starting to snow. Duh, who was going to take care ofthe residents if they went home when it started to snow???We live in a rural area and everyone seems willing to do what they can to help in bad weather. If your at work you stay and just wait till replacements come in.I've never heard any grumbling about it.This is at a LTC setting.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
nurses are expected to be at work just like the mail man in inclement weather---something those considering this career should think about.
i stand by my statement that if you're going to choose to live in the snowbelt and work in a hospital, you need to make sure you can get to work when the roads are covered with ice and snow. that's not a blizzard. that's just winter. your co-workers can only cover so much for your fear of winter driving.
courses are available to teach how to drive in snow and unusual conditions from auto clubs like aaa: driving programs also having yearly auto club plan (about $75/yr) helps as you receive driving tips in mail, priority emergency roadside service, travel info, etc. [/url]
The thing is, I am dedicated to my job, but I am *NOT* willing to slip and slide on icy roads and risk my life......
StreetRN
20 Posts
I really do agree no one should risk their life to get to work. But, playing the devil's advocate here....we each risk our life every time we ride a bicycle, drive a car, ride in a boat, take a bath, etc. I think management expects everyone to use good judgement and attempt to keep up your end of the work contract. Non clinical staff have called in to say they weren't going to be in because of the weather. I did drive 45+ miles in the same weather and did just fine. She stayed home and "slept in". It's that kind of attitude that makes it difficult for the rest of us. "Those of us who can endure must endure for those who won't".