drive herself to work during BLIZZARD conditions. I don't want her out on the road risking her life just to get to work. Does anyone know if the Hospital is legally allowed to make my wife work or be fired under these conditions?
2006-12-20 11:20:30 · 10 answers · asked by mbillesbach80 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
As a nurse myself,I understand the situation well.It isn't the type of job that you can just say,I won't be there.Someone has to be there to take care of the patients.I have been in both situations.I have not been able to make it into work when we were having a blizzard,but I have also been at work when the weather hit and have had to stay because others couldn't get in,once I was there for over 48 hours until people could finally get in.It kinda goes with the job,if others can't get in,you know you have no choice but to stay.Legally I'm sure they could fire her,but will they actually?There is a nursing shortage,and some positions are hard to replace.I understand your concern and truthfully,if it was me and in a blizzard,I probably wouldn't chance it.My thoughts were,if the roads are that bad,what good will I do anyone if I'm stuck along the side of the road in a ditch,especially my children.The police in our area would pick up nurses and take them to work in these situations also,we also had maintenance men with 4x4's that would come out and pick some of us up.I always lived too far from work to benefit from these services,but maybe they offer something like that in your area.Even though as a nurse,our first concern should be taking care of our patients,you have to ask yourself if it worth risking your life for a job.Only she can answer that question.
2006-12-20 13:42:48 · answer #1 · answered by stellablue1959 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can convince the sick people to get well before the roads get bad then by all means let her stay home, but that is not the reality of this profession.
I have been a nurse in 4 states, and I have never called in or avoided work because of weather. I have been mandated to stay at the hospital (longest 3 days straight!) because so many nurses whimpered and whined that they couldn't make it in.
Buck up and deal - she's a nurse not an accountant. Welcome to the stress and strain of being an "angel of mercy" - if you practice in a snowy state buy a 4-wheel drive and hunker down for a slow crawl to work!
2006-12-20 22:59:23 · answer #2 · answered by Susie D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This may be my ignorance of winter weather, but how do you know it is a blizzard if you are out of town?
If there are blizzard conditions, and if your wife must come to work so that anyone hurt in the blizzard or prior to the blizzard has medical care, then she needs to ask for help. An ambulance might be able to pick her up on its rounds, or a policeman or sheriff or deputy might be able to give her a ride.
2006-12-20 19:35:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no "snow days" when it comes to being sick, requiring hospital care. As a nurse myself, living in a snow ridden state, driving a little 4 cylinder car, I know how difficult this scenario is. But, I realize that getting to work in difficult weather is part of the territory. I get up earlier on snow days, get my car warmed up, take the smartest route and extra time. I have AAA road service and always carry winter emergency supplies in my car. I think an effort to make it in to work is important to avoid mandating nurses who worked all night and subjecting patients to care from tired nurses. Most nurses won't mind either, if someone is occasionally a few minutes late due to bad weather.
2006-12-20 22:13:43 · answer #4 · answered by coffeesweetie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know if they legally can or not. But in my city they have what are called Level snow emergencies. Level 1 means the roads are slippery - be carefull. It goes up to like Level 4 which means NOBODY is allowed out driving on the roads for any reason (to go to work included) and if they catch you driving they can ticket you or maybe even impound your car. If you have something like that in your area-it might be a way out.
Being a nurse though-that is kinda like something she should have considered when taking the job. They are essential.
2006-12-20 19:28:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It wouldn't suprise me, since she is considered an essential employee....BUT if the hospital she works for is city or county owned, they will provide her with transportation if the roads are too bad for normal travel. They will be more than happy to have a snowplow or police/sheriff bring her in.
My mom worked a county nursing home and they used to send out deputies on snowmobiles to bring staff in
2006-12-20 19:32:19 · answer #6 · answered by Yote' 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anybody can do it. I have to go in to work tomorrow in about two feet of snow, and I have a sports car...not looking forward to the drive at 5 a.m., but my bosses told me that if we don't come in, then we don't get our holiday pay on Friday and Monday.
2006-12-20 19:23:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
She is being paid to be on call. If she can't be there, she needs to make arrangments for someone else to be there.
2006-12-20 19:23:04 · answer #8 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Legally they can't fire her for being sick so she should just call in sick. If she isn't leaving home then how will they know the difference?
2006-12-20 19:23:37 · answer #9 · answered by zara01 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
if she really fears for her life she should stay home and worry about the consequences later.nurses can find a new job easily and most with signing bonuses.
2006-12-20 19:24:01 · answer #10 · answered by sasuke 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋