What do you do on the drive to work?

Nurses General Nursing

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So I drive 200 miles to work one way. For me that's 3.5 hours that I feel I should be productive with.

My solution: learning Spanish with CD's that I put in my car.

However there's only so much Spanish I can try and learn at one point before I need a break. :p

Anyone have any suggestions?

For those that drive a distance, what do you do during your drive?

Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I used to sing to all the golden oldies(60's and 70's) or listen to audio books

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

My drive to work is a nice way to start the day, it's relaxing, and gives me a good half hour to listen/sing to music before the day gets busy! Same thing on the way home, reflect on my day and how much I've learned and what I need to work on (new nurse lol). And, obviously, pay attention to the road. You have a long drive! I hope you don't work 12 hour shifts....there is no way I could stay awake that long on the drive home! Will you be able to relocate closer to work at some point?

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Specializes in Pediatric Burn Care.

I just started my job & it is about a 60-90 minute drive. So far, I start off listening to the radio to the people talking bout funny stuff & listening for any traffic concerns... AND one of the stations plays "the morning song" it is really upbeat and wakes me up - so when it comes on I start singing and dancing :dncgbby:

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
I found myself in my first hailstorm ever last week and I turned off my CD so that I could pay attention and focus.

Do I get brownie points for that? :)

Yes, you get brownie points for that.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I listen to books on CD. I got into the habit when I was commuting an hour each way to nursing school. I've only got a half hour drive to work now, but still love my books.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, PACU,SICU.

I am learning spanish also! But its slow going....and I listen to Klove and NPR

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Specializes in Geriatric.

I drive 25-30 minutes one way to work...

am shift: drinking coffee & eating my bagel or pbj while listening to my favorite FM station..

pm shift: wondering why that darn car is tailgaiting me since i might be so slow looking at the beautiful vineyards here in Napa, California.:yeah:

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

If I'm in a good mood I'll play some loud music, usually Heavy Metal to get me in the mood to work all night. If I don't feel good or I have PMS I'll play New Age music and I have a plug-in essential oil burner that goes into the lighter outlet and I'll sprinkle some Rosemary and Lavender oils on to it to calm me down and make me feel peaceful before I face the rigors of work.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Nursing.

I try to build my vocabulary. I bought this vocabulary learning program on CD called "Verbal Advantage" and it's absolutely wonderful/fascinating. Kinds pricey, but worth it every penny. If you have aspirations of going into nursing management or just to sound smart at cocktail parties, improving your vocabulary is a very constructive way to utilize your dead time driving. I used to listen to music 100% of the time while driving, but now I feel like I'm unproductive if I don't have my vocab CDs playing in the background. Of coorifice, I take breaks from listening to it, and when I do that I usually turn on the SiriusXM and listen to Howard Stern, Doctor Radio, ESPN Radio or Blue Collar Comedy.

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Specializes in FNP.

I listen to the BBC World News, or NPR Morning Edition.

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Specializes in Geriatric.
If I'm in a good mood I'll play some loud music, usually Heavy Metal to get me in the mood to work all night. If I don't feel good or I have PMS I'll play New Age music and I have a plug-in essential oil burner that goes into the lighter outlet and I'll sprinkle some Rosemary and Lavender oils on to it to calm me down and make me feel peaceful before I face the rigors of work.

How does the plug-in essential works in the car? i haven't tried it plugging it in the lighter outlet..

i wonder...can't go outside now it's 10 pm here.

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Specializes in Cardiac, PCU, Surg/Onc, LTC, Peds.

I once saw a man reading a book while driving on a fairly busy stretch of freeway. Unbelievable what idiots do. Another time, I've witnessed a lady eating a bowl of cereal on her drive in to work. I think I'll just stick with listening to music.

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