Your employer's policy re: *snow and ice*?

Nurses General Nursing

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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! :o

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!" :uhoh3: 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?

Sounds like you got it made in the shade.:)

I work PRN so i watch the weather and only work when the weather is good:)
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no i do'nt have it made in the shade i have three boy's a husband and i take care of my mother i did have to work a double once i was so mad it was change over and i was anew nurse now i did have help but i never will do that again still to this day i do'nt like to work the last day of the mounth i like the money of working full time i hope by the time my son who is 15 years old is done with his home schooling i will have my RN

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It would "seem" that you had it made in the shade. I have 3 boys also (and a husband) but they are all grown!:)

no i do'nt have it made in the shade i have three boy's a husband and i take care of my mother i did have to work a double once i was so mad it was change over and i was anew nurse now i did have help but i never will do that again still to this day i do'nt like to work the last day of the mounth i like the money of working full time i hope by the time my son who is 15 years old is done with his home schooling i will have my RN
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my sons are 20 years old 17 years old and 15 years old i have a good husband i have to work around his work hours what do you think of the stay at home program for RN? i do'nt want to get into a program and make a big mistake

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I dont know what to say about this one.... I mean, I,am in no way interested in risking my life to get to work... but, on the other hand, I do understand that we have a responsibility, and we work in a 24 hour business, and you have to actually get another NURSE to take our place, you cant just call on anybody, or, close the hospital, like you can a potato chip factory.... but there must be some solution??? I mean, its not like if we call out, then they cancel our "workplace" until the weather clears, they have to find another person to replace us.......Anybody have any ideas?

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You bring up a valid point. Who will take our places if we all call in during bad weather?

Well for one, at every place I've worked, administration/management walks around with their badges showing numerous titles after their name, one of which is always "RN" and they seem pretty quick to tell you that they are still nurses even though they've moved into management.

I seldom see any of them when bad weather strikes even though they are all still supposedly RN's, why can't they chip in and help in times of crisis?

When I lived up north where it snows, I'd see them leave early all the time to beat snowstorms and such, not even knowing if the night shift would be covered. The second a storm was announced on the news, they were running out the door.

Someone else pointed out that we are all justifying our not coming to work when the weather is bad but would still drive in it if we were already at work trying to get home.

Well, look at our examples that have been set for us by our superiors.

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To tell you the truth I don't know a whole lot about it. But like you I like to consider my options from afar and very carefully. I don't intend to be just another statistic of this huge system. Timid, maybe but you know what they say : "It doesn't matter how slow you go as long as you get there.":chuckle

my sons are 20 years old 17 years old and 15 years old i have a good husband i have to work around his work hours what do you think of the stay at home program for RN? i do'nt want to get into a program and make a big mistake
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Specializes in Geriatric/ Home Care.

In our facility, I just happen to live the farthest away. I have missed 1 day in 3 years d/t weather. I do understand that some people are terrified of driving in ice and snow. I think the real problem is when I drive 35 miles in it and the person living 3 blocks away calls in :o. Yes that really happened. In our facility, even those of us who are in management are expected to show up. We do have many great employees who are willing to cover for people who dont arrive. Our maintenance team also have 4 wheel drives and will pick you up and take you home.

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This thread brings back a lot of memories. Many of us (going to the same work place) would get stuck on the same stretch of road fortunately about 1 and a half miles from our work. One car would get stuck and the rest of us would be helplessly behind it and no place to turn around. Backing up was impossible. Not even one lane. The temperature usually was around 32 and we knew we weren't going to freeze to death, but it still wasn't pleasant. There were times (when they could) our employers would come and bail us out (by sending maintenance personel with snow removal equipment) and let us warm up and sip hot cocoa before putting us to work. We would have a skeleton crew but we would be running...:)

In our facility, I just happen to live the farthest away. I have missed 1 day in 3 years d/t weather. I do understand that some people are terrified of driving in ice and snow. I think the real problem is when I drive 35 miles in it and the person living 3 blocks away calls in :o. Yes that really happened. In our facility, even those of us who are in management are expected to show up. We do have many great employees who are willing to cover for people who dont arrive. Our maintenance team also have 4 wheel drives and will pick you up and take you home.
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But just watch when the state comes in. We have RNs pass trays help with meds ect . Why can't they help all the time?

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Specializes in ICU, CCU,Wound Care,LTC, Hospice, MDS.

I drive 35 miles to work, either Interstate or Highway which will close in really bad weather. So I keep my "Snow Bag" packed year round. It has makeup, shampoo, hair dryer, curling iron, deodorant, change of underwear, slippers & nightgown- everything I need. I grab it whenever the weather report is threatening and I'm scheduled for more than one day. If it is a certainty, I throw in an extra uniform. I haven't needed it yet. If I'm only working one day and will be off , I don't take it. I just drive very slowly. If I'm going to be snowed in, I'm getting home for my day(s) off!

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