How Far Would You Commute for Part-time?

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  1. How Far Would You Commute for Part-time?

    • Not very far, LOCAL ONLY!
    • Less than 40 miles
    • 50-60 miles
    • 60-70 miles
    • More than 70 miles

119 members have participated

In this economy, with no other prospects how far would you commute for a part-time position that may turn to full-time in a few months?

Specializes in FNP, ONP.

15 minutes, max

lily1289

26 Posts

I live in NYC so a 15 mile can turn into a 2 hour drive if you hit rush hour traffic. So for me, it's not really how far it is but how much traffic i'm going to encounter when i drive to get to a job. If traffic is not a problem then i don't mind travelling up to 50 miles for a job even if it's only part time.

Specializes in PACU.

It'd partially depend upon the shift length. If it were 12 hour or greater shifts, I'd be inclined to drive a bit further as your travel investment (in terms of both money and time) per hours worked is less. If it were 8 hour shifts like 45 minutes max, unless it were a job that I was really interested in (e.g. a desirable specialty or type of unit not available closer).

As mentioned above, distance is a less useful measure for comparison due to variation in traffic patterns and road conditions. I am surprised by the poster who said 15 minutes max. While I just bought a house 6-7 minutes from work, I used to commute about 30-40 minutes each way. Are you at a point in your life where if you did take the job and it became full time you would be able to move closer later on? That might make a little temporary sacrifice more worthwhile.

Specializes in FNP, ONP.

No way would I spend that much time commuting. Life is too short. My drive is less than 5 minutes, and in good weather (9 months out of the year) I usually walk or ride my bike the less than 2 miles. My personal max is a 15 minute drive, but I probably wouldn't take any job I couldn't bike to in less than 30.

Despareux

938 Posts

I'd drive 50-60 miles. Mine and my husband's commutes have usually been long, so it's something were used to.

MrChicagoRN, RN

2,597 Posts

Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
In this economy, with no other prospects how far would you commute for a part-time position that may turn to full-time in a few months?

The same distance that I would travel for a full time position.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

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

The important wording in the original post is "with no other prospects," which leads me to believe that someone might be unemployed.

If I had been unemployed with no other prospects in the foreseeable future, and I desperately needed income, I would drive in excess of 70 miles to ensure that I had at least a part-time paycheck and some experience.

Specializes in FNP, ONP.

Not I. I'd just move.

joanna73, BSN, RN

4,767 Posts

Specializes in geriatrics.

I'm with Blue Devil. I've done the commuting thing and it sucks. An hour to and from is 2 hours added onto my work day. If I needed the job, I'd move. After having lived 5 minutes from school and work, there's no turning back for me. Quality of life is a huge factor.

I drive 45 min-1 hour each way to my part time job. I wish the commute was shorter, but I am liking the job and it is worth the drive. I do wish my job was in my hometown! A 15 minute commute would be sweet. But I'm also not going to put in 8 hrs of work in a setting I don't enjoy just for the sake of a short commute.Not all specialties/shifts/employers are going to be available in the hometown. ;-)

Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

As far as I needed to to have an income.

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