I'm finishing up my first year of nursing school, and this summer we have to complete internships working as nursing assistants. I got a job on a med/surg floor at a hospital. I've been scheduled for 12 hr shifts 3x (consecutive)/wk. I've done three 12 hr shifts in a row before, but I lived closer to the hospital and usually took the bus to/from work or had to drive for maybe 10-15 mins max. This summer however, I'm commuting, and it may take as long as 35-45 mins to get to/from work.
My question is: how do you manage the commute after 12 hr shifts? I'm getting kind of anxious about it and wanted some tips from other long-distance commuters in similar situations.
In line with cereal...I once got through a rough long-distance (10-hour) drive with sunflower seeds in the shell. I had two cup holders with paper cups, one for sunflower seeds, one for shells (garbage). Take one seed, suck off salt, crack shell, remove shell with fingers to garbage cup. Take your time. I wasn't particularly tired on that drive, but kept getting drowsy (No, not carbon monoxide - kids were plenty rowdy).
Anyway, you'll leave at 6:15, get home at 2000 or 2015. That's not bad - I've done that for years. Just don't plan on doing anything besides working & sleeping. Prepare some meals (or buy Lean Cuisines) and do your laundry BEFORE the stretch of days.
After my shift, I usually take a cup of coffee from the many brewers we have in the dept. I usually turn on Pandora and just think about the day and enjoy the drive. It isn't that bad, you'll get used to it. I drive to school 45 to 1 hour everyday depending on traffic.
I remember having to do 3x 12hr clinical 40 miles from home took 45mins to get there and 2 hrs to get home in traffic. You get used to it. I listen to NPR usually
good music, radio, pod casts ect. I commute an hour and it doenst really bother me. It makes the lifestyle I want possible as well as a place that I enjoy working at.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
hi fellow nursing people!!!
i'm finishing up my first year of nursing school, and this summer we have to complete internships working as nursing assistants. i got a job on a med/surg floor at a hospital. i've been scheduled for 12 hr shifts 3x (consecutive)/wk. i've done three 12 hr shifts in a row before, but i lived closer to the hospital and usually took the bus to/from work or had to drive for maybe 10-15 mins max. this summer however, i'm commuting, and it may take as long as 35-45 mins to get to/from work.
my question is: how do you manage the commute after 12 hr shifts? i'm getting kind of anxious about it and wanted some tips from other long-distance commuters in similar situations.
thank you so much!!!
35-45 minutes is not a "long distance commute." are you driving? taking public transportation?
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
I am 60 years old.. I can still pull that shift/commute off.
I am 100% sure YOU can!
Seems daunting, but keep your eye on the prize! You'll be home soon.. and you will have those wonderful days off!
I found audio books on my CD player on interesting topics .. or a book I could get into.. kept me alert.
I also could come home.. take a quick shower and fall into bed. If you don't have kids.. husband or pets.. it could work!
Good luck.. keep us posted!