Florida nurses and hurricane season

A question for nurses working in FL during hurricane season. Have you had any issues with working in the event of an impending hurricane? I am a resident and hurricane season has always been a nail-biting issue for me. I have several animals and have lucked out the past few in that I did not have to come in until after the storm passed. Is is out of line to have a clause in my contract that I would not be expected to report for duty until after the storm if one were to hit?

I just completed an assignment in SW Florida, so I won't be there for Hurricane season, but all of the other nurses said they are required to report to work 24 hrs before the storm is due to hit & have to stay there until the storm is passed. They can bring their family members with them, not sure about pets, though.

I don't know about hospital policies but I lived in Florida some years ago and anytime there was a hurricane evacuation; I'm sorry to say pets were not welcome:-(

Maybe things have changed:-/

Be safe:-)

Judi

I am currently working in SW Florida during hurricane season. I had to fill out a form stating who would be at the hospital in the event of a hurricane including pets. Pets must be in a cage of sorts. And yes, you must come in 24 hours prior to a hurricane and stay until it is over.:39:

I've traveled all over FL. It depends on the facility. I've only traveled at one that the travelers were not expected to show up during a Hurricane. That was in Melbourne. We weren't on their disaster list.

The other times I have been on contract we were expected to be in house, bring our own food, H2O, etc....family could stay at the hospital but facilites do NOT allow pets. None I have ever been in allow pets as they can't accomadate them and it's a health issue in a hospital.

It was a miserable time in the Daytona area a few yrs back when 2 hit back to back. The hospitals ran out of food, water, and were on generator power for days. The whole town was a mess! I try to take a contract somewhere else during Hurricane season.

Makes no difference to me what their policy is....If they say evacuate...I'm gone. Punish me...LOL I won't be like the Katrina victims. My family means more to me than any contract.

I guess the bottom line is to ask this question to the facility prior to signing a contract. My facility DOES let me bring in my cat and dog in a carrier, but I guess others don't. Good communication is always best.

texascowgirl wrote:I am currently working in SW Florida during hurricane season. I had to fill out a form stating who would be at the hospital in the event of a hurricane including pets. Pets must be in a cage of sorts. And yes, you must come in 24 hours prior to a hurricane and stay until it is over.:39:

AM INTERESTED IN TRAVELING W/ FASTAFF IN PLANTATION,FLORIDA @PLANTATION GENERAL. DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR HURRICANE SEASON AND MY ANIMALS? THANKS

You'll have to find out from the hospital ahead of time whether or not you will be required to be there in the event of a hurricane, and whether or not you will be able to bring your pet. If you have to be there, and can't bring your pet, you'll have to arrange for someone else to take your pet in the event of an evacuation. If you leave your pet at your apartment while you are at work during a hurricane, you are putting it's life at risk should there be flooding or other damage to your apartment.