Anyone commute to school?

[moonischasingme1]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice.

Hopefully, this fall, I will be entering the nursing program at my main campus University, which is about 30 miles away (I live in St. Pete, Florida and this is in Tampa, in case anyone knows the area).

Now, I had planned on moving out of my home and living in either a dorm or apartment (more likely) with a roommate. But the thought of living so far away from home--I JUST DON'T WANT TO!!

I was thinking of maybe getting an apartment in my area, close to the hospitals downtown for clinicals and then commuting for classes.

So my question, who does it? Is it a pain in the ass? Are you broke from gas?

I feel like even though I would be closer to school if I moved that I would be lonely and not be able to focus because I won't have my family or my boyfriend or my cat or anyone! I feel like I would just be happier living in the area at least so I would have the option of driving to see them, you know?

I mean, it's not really THAT far away, but if I have to do it everyday, then it could get crazy I think. However, I could pick my clinicals in this area, so that is a plus because I am sure you spend a lot of time in the hospital as you do in the classroom.

Any advice for this confused 21 year old?

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

If you don't want to move then don't do it. I drive at least a 1/2 hour each day to and from school and I am used to it. I guess it would depend on the traffic in your area and how long it actually takes you to get to school in the mornings.

You can always change your mind next semester if you end up not liking the drive. And I have a Chevy Silverado that only gets 17 miles a gallon so yes gas can be expensive but if I moved closer to campus the cost of living up there is even more so I'm actually saving money.

Good luck.

Oh also, the roomate thing can be good or bad. As a nursing student your going to be BUSY and have lots of studying to do....if you can find another NS roomate, that would be good because you both are going through the same thing. If it's a non-NS that *could* create some issues if they do a lot of partying, etc I have a young NS friend who is having problems with that actually so I wanted to mention it.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

My round trip is 140 miles a day.

[I KRISCOCHO I]

i am about 25 miles away from school and was about 50 or so from clinical. it was a pain sometimes, but thank goodness it wasn't during rush hour traffic. plus, i have a lot of patience so if you think you can't handle it, i say, move out. you really don't want or need that added stress.