Experiences with going to school with a commute

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So I figured out recently that I won't be eligible to apply to one of my primary choices for Fall 2012. It is about a 10 minute drive from my house so that is a shame. I will be able to apply to one of my other primary choices and a possible backup school for Fall 2012.

The 2 nursing schools I can and would be willing to apply to both have commutes, which are different but about the same time. It'd take me about an hour to commute to each school. I'd love to hear experiences from those who have gone to school with commutes.

School #1 has an excellent reputation for their school and nursing program. They are in an urban environment which interests me. There are public transportation options which would take me 90-120 minutes each way or driving which would take about 60-70. There may also be some clinicals that would require less commuting.

School #2 is a fairly new nursing program of a school with a good reputation. Nursing school is in a suburban environment. A toll road would be part of the commute. The nursing program seems to be doing well and the school seems to be committed to it. There are no public transportation options. The school costs less right now than school #2 but they've stated that their rates may be increasing. There may be public transportation options for clinicals. It'd take me about 60-70 minutes to get there even with toll road and commute to most clinicals probably wouldn't be pleasant.

I'm kind of torn about even applying to school #2, mostly because I much rather go to the school is 10 minutes (school #0) than go to school #2. Mostly because their nursing program is so new, I think I'd suffer a long commute for a school with a long established nursing program and good reputation than a school that with a new nursing program.

But overall, the commuting aspect is a bit scary to me. Please ease my mind.

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i lived literally across the street from my lvn school. i could see the college from my bedroom.

as for my completion lvn-bsn, i had a 70-mile drive 1 way. i had to drive at least once a week and twice or more for clinicals. can you afford the time and money to drive? gas and car related expensive add up fast.

is your school full time (3-5 days a week) or less? i can tell you its possible but your social/family life will suffer.

i will be finishing my travels to school next month and couldn't be happier that i will never need to drive that far for school again. if you decide to take public transit, you can use the travel time to study.

good luck applying!

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I am sorry but after having done the commute thing for several years, enduring the toll on my car and on me, I would have to say that I would wait for the school that is 10 minutes away. My opinion based on my experience.

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I have about an hour's commute each way to school. I took it because they accepted me... the school is a good school too. I would say the hardest part for me is getting up extra early for clinicals/classes. Tomorrow I will be getting up at 4:30 to report to my clinical site at 6:30 am ugh... but I am working on my degree, and that makes me happy and makes it worth it to me.

I also found a handful of people in my cohort that live near me and we carpool so that helps.

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Specializes in LDRP.

i live 45 mins from my school, but it ends up being close to an hour with traffic, and there is usually traffic unless im going to clinicals because not as many people are on the road at 530.. its really not so bad, and i have to do this 5 days a week. ive been doing it since january and i just keep telling myself "this is not forever!!" if your heart is in it and you think you have the determination, go for it.

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My commute is 1.5 hours. This has been one of the worst semesters for me because I have to commute 4 days instead of 2 days. The drive really isn't bad. You can use this time to listen to your recorded lectures.

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I travel 1 to 1.5 hours 4 days a week for classes it does get tiring and is expensive but the drive has gotten better I'm getting used to it as time goes on..I choose to make the drive based on simular apects of your school #1 it's a great school in an urban environment and so far there are no regrets of choosing to make the drive everyday!

Good luck! And just keep a positive outlook it's no that bad!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

My commute is 1.25 hour one way. I know many people listen to recorded lectures during the commute, but I don't. I listen to classical music---it helps me calm down after a stressful day. Once I get home, I study, but not on my commute----that's "me" time. :smokin:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

the sooner you start the sooner you'll be done.

i have a large number of classmates that commute 3-5 days week for class & work at the hospital and they live 60min + away. I think its awesome, especially in the winter.

You can do it! :)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

My user name is 'TheCommuter' for a reason. . .

I was living in California when I was attending a 12-month LVN program in '04 and '05. The commute was 95 miles one way (190 miles round trip) and took about 90 minutes each way on days with minimal traffic.

I was living in North Central Texas when I attended a 14-month RN completion program in central Oklahoma in '09 and '10. The commute was 225 miles one way (450 miles round trip) and consumed 3+ hours each way.

Of course, I have more stories of my various commutes, but the two aforementioned ones relate to commuting back and forth to school. Good luck to you.

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My user name is 'TheCommuter' for a reason. . .

I was living in California when I was attending a 12-month LVN program in '04 and '05. The commute was 95 miles one way (190 miles round trip) and took about 90 minutes each way on days with minimal traffic.

I was living in North Central Texas when I attended a 14-month RN completion program in central Oklahoma in '09 and '10. The commute was 225 miles one way (450 miles round trip) and consumed 3+ hours each way.

Of course, I have more stories of my various commutes, but the two aforementioned ones relate to commuting back and forth to school. Good luck to you.

That is amazing. When I lived in So Cal, I knew some people who lived in Vegas and rented a room locally during the week but commuted home on the weekends or some days.

I am definitely applying to school #1. The commute is scary but I calculated out the price of gas for a year and its not as bad as I thought. I can definitely fit it and more regular oil changes into the finances. And the program is less than 1.5 years so its not like it'll be forever.

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I am a 44yr old woman and I am currently taking prerequesite classes for an acclerated 18month ADN RN program. I kids are adults now, and the school that I attend is 1.5-2hrs commute. I dont work in the daytime because I go to class of course. But at night, I do have an elderly woman that I "sit with". This side job is my only income. So therefore, I have to drive back to be her @ 8pm. I stay with her

overnight, then leave from her house to drive to school. This is very easy money to make while going to school. The nursing program

will start in December. I am looking for some opinions on if I am making a

mistake, or does this sound doable. When I get to her house, there is nothing that I have to do for her. She is TOTALLY selfcare : ) So will I have alot of homework to do? Will I be able to do it all at her house, or will I be too tired

to do anything. I will shower here, eat dinner and whatever else I have to do.

But my main concern is the long commute. Do you think it will interfere with study time? Plz help! All opinions wanted! Thanks

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