Commute for Job I would love, or less travel to Job I don't like

Nurses Career Support

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Just want some input. Would you rather commute a little over an hour (50 miles) to a job that is in the specialty that you want to make a career out of or stay at a job where the commute is short (15 minutes or about 10 miles) but you don't like the job?

I was offered an L&D position, which I will love. I haven't been able to transfer at my current place of work. I have over a years experience med-surg, and I have definitely had my fill of it. I have learned a lot and I am thankful of it, but I am not happy for multiple reasons. I just worry about the effect of the commute on my relationship.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Do you have the option of moving closer? I commute 33miles a day, 3 days a week and sometimes in bad weather I wish I lived closer. But if you absolutely hate your current job and think this is a good move then do it.

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If on call, I could stay with my best friend or my parents. They each live about 25 miles away. I appreciate all the feedback! I think the happiness level would improve a lot. I do not like med surg and I have roughed it out past my year. I come home crying a lot just because it is not what I want. I knew during rotations I was meant to do ob or peds. I think this is the answer to prayers.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

I had a job in a high-profile, famous name hospital only 2 miles from home. I live in a city infamous for its traffic. Everyone thought it was a dream job - prestigious facility so close to home. It wasn't. It was so miserable. I hated every second of it and came home crying at least twice a week. Horrible bosses, horrible patients, old equipment, ancient EMR system, understaffing and high volume. We got written up for punching in 5 mins. late. I was constantly depressed and stressed and it had an huge impact on my health, relationships and home life. I just didn't want to let everyone down by quitting such a high paying, glamorous-seeming gig. So stupid.

After a year I said toodle-loo. I wanted to get my foot in the door of case management. I took the first CM job offer I got, with a small but well-regarded HMO that I'd once been a patient with and had good experiences in the past. The site at which I was hired is 42 miles away. I drive 5 freeways to get there and back. I do go "against traffic" so it takes me only 40 -50 mins (in this town that's pretty good) but I don't regret it one bit. I'm in a low-stress, quiet cubicle environment, sitting at a desk in business casual clothes, calling patients and doctors all day and coordinating care. I'm salaried so no clock punching, I can take 30 or 60 min lunches if I want. Great bosses & co workers. M-F, 9-5. I actually enjoy the time alone on the drive, superwomen like us rarely get true time alone. I can listen to whatever I want, make phone calls on my Bluetooth, or sometimes just cruise silently and have a good think.

And when environmentalists become sanctimonious jerks they defeat their cause. Bullying and condescending and guilting people about their carbon footprint isn't gonna save Mother Earth, and obscures your argument with so much unpleasantness and cruelty that you will lose by default. In fact, that nauseating post made me want to go buy the biggest gas hog SUV, park it next to the poster's bedroom window and idle all night while dancing around spraying aerosol cans and littering styrofoam cups everywhere. Bicycle away from here, please, and spare us your ignorance & judgment, because it isn't just about YOU, you know.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

why not just move closer to the job you love??

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Some things to consider:

1. 50 miles one way=100 miles per trip times 12 trips= minimum 1200 job-related miles on your car each month. Annual

total miles=14,400 and this does not include additional driving on your off days.

2. Oil changes every 3 thousand miles (generous amount but likely necessary due to high useage)= 5/yr with just job mileage

3. New tires every 2.5 years assuming 40K mileage tires= $300/yr tire useage

4. Fuel costs (Based on $3.80/gallon as an average of recent price locally): assuming a car that gets 30mpg=$152/month but

likely more given gas spikes.

5. General wear and tear on vehicle will make your car old before it's time.

6. Time costs: Leave at 5:45 to make sure you are there on time. Your commute is not an excuse to be late.

Leave work at 7:45 or later because you have to do your charting.

Get home at 9:00ish

Total time away from home: 15+hours

7. Night shift issues: Driving long distance when tired significantly increases the chance you will be involved in an MVC.

8. Scheduling: You are new. You will have minimal say in your schedule. The manager staffs to meet the unit's needs, not yours.

You will either be scheduled with your days lumped together where you will have minimal sleep time. Or you

will be schedule with one day off in between not allowing you to have a life. Or if they get really evil they will

do one on-one off-one on to really mess with your head.

My commute when I did it was almost twice yours so you adjust your perception of what I'm saying accordingly just make sure you are thinking about all aspects of having this long a commute. It can affect you financially and physically. No job is worth that. Personally, I would move to the town where the job is and enjoy the win-win situation.

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Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

I totally understand the desire to be happy in your job. I worked a miserable job for almost 7 years that was a 6 minute car ride from my home. I personally wouldn't like the feeling of being 50 miles from my home, that's just too far IMO. And I'm stilll undecided if there really is such a thing as a dream job.

You may find L&D isn't what you want, but you have to try it before you can make that determination. Commuting gets old really fast, but so does sticking around a job you can't stand. Good luck.

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I commute 50 mins for work and it doesn't bother me, I've done it for 7 years. I work night shift and work 12s. I worked 14s in the past and dreaded the drive home then, if I got sleepy I would roll down my window and blast my radio. I have lived 5 mins from a job that I hated and I would much rather commute for a job I like. I enjoy my drive to work too, it's like my private time, lol.

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Specializes in Psych & Gero psych.

I have a job that's 1hour away, 2 1/2 commute. I got a cheapo place with a roommate. I stay there two days an week and spend the rest of my time at home. The cost of gas is about the same as what I pay in rent. And I can get a bit more sleep. I don't really mind the drive but when the weather is bad, it good to be close. I would take your dream job. Perhaps in time you would move closer or want to move closer, or after a year or so get a job closer to you.

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I just left a job in a specialty I love for a shorter commute and really, really regret my decision. The new commute is wonderful and I run in to my medic husband at work all the time now, but I really miss my old job. We have a long term plan to move in few years and it's going to be a priority to move somewhere I can work in the specialty I love without too much of a commute.

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Has none of you considered your carbon footprint and the environmental impact of all of these miles you are driving? I find that irresponsible. I live 1.5 miles from my office, bike to work most days, walk some and only drive in the very severe weather conditions or under exigent circumstances. I have probably driven my car or motorcycle to work on fewer than 20 days in the past 2 years. I would never consider driving 50 miles if I had any other options. It isn't all about you, you know. It is called being a good steward to the earth and the community.

Don't hold back, tell us how you REALLY feel.

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Do you have the option of moving closer? I commute 33miles a day, 3 days a week and sometimes in bad weather I wish I lived closer. But if you absolutely hate your current job and think this is a good move then do it.
Please disregard. I didn't mean to reply to you.
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Has none of you considered your carbon footprint and the environmental impact of all of these miles you are driving? I find that irresponsible. I live 1.5 miles from my office, bike to work most days, walk some and only drive in the very severe weather conditions or under exigent circumstances. I have probably driven my car or motorcycle to work on fewer than 20 days in the past 2 years. I would never consider driving 50 miles if I had any other options. It isn't all about you, you know. It is called being a good steward to the earth and the community.
That's your opinion. The OP posted here to get Everybody's opinion, not just one person's. No need to be so harsh simply because everybody doesn't think or feel the way you do. Lighten up...
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