AWD vehicle for nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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So a "i think it might be a grown up decision" thought came into my head. I'm currently a pre-nursing student working on my pre reqs. I'm at a community college right now working for my ADN. However, my school's program is very competitive (3.8 recommended, I have a 3.7 program GPA, 2.8 cumulative -- I failed algebra + trig). I'll probably be transferring to Molloy University in Long Island once I get 20-30 credits or so (if anyone has any knowledge on Molloy's program, and/or any info on community college to a 4 year university transfer student experiences/perspectives please enlighten me :] ).

My "I think it might be a grown up decision" thought is the following:

If I'm going to be a future Nurse / healthcare provider when I'm older, shouldn't I have an AWD vehicle as a daily driver? I mean I already work in a hospital, I know nurses at my job receive hell when a snow storm happens. THey're not allowed to call out, some have to sleep at hospital so they can come into work the next day. If they do call out they receive zero pay, administration is up their butts. Not fun.

My current car, a 2013 hyundai elantra is great on gas for college/work. I'm thinking of trading it in though at the expense for higher costs in gas, for a 2005-2010 jeep grandcherokee. That way by the time I graduate my "work vehicle" is almost paid off.

TL;DR

As a dedicated pre-nursing student, should I keep my gas efficient car and lose trade-in value over the years for when I eventually get my "work vehicle" which would be an AWD daily (jeep grandcherokee specifically).

Or trade in my gas efficient vehicle now, not lose as much trade in value, for my future "work-vehicle"

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The nurses at my job seem to all have some type of winter vehicle. Or their vehicle is made for all around weather (the smart ones at least). The ones that don't, are usually the ones I find complaining to me about how they'll make it to work during the upcoming snow storm. Or how the administration cracks down on nurses who call out sick when they find out a blizzard is happening. Just an observation I've made while working on my nursing degree. I'm not a nurse yet, so what would I know... learning from other nurses and what not.

Live and learn

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I live in Maine and get where you're coming from. Personally I would wait until you have a paying RN job to get that vehicle. I have a Jeep GC right now and I will be driving 60min one way (30 miles) to school and back and I'm thinking of getting a car that is Better in gas because I'm not making money right now.

In Maine it's pretty important to have a 4x4 in the winter, but if you don't have to have one, don't! At least not right away. They are gas hogs and let's be honest, how many times would you REALLY need to kick it into four wheel drive? I drive my toddler around all winter long and don't need too. Just drive slow, keep your distance and you'll be fine! Save that cash for something else :)

Invest in studded snows and you'll be fine! I drove 1.5 hours to work with my Corolla down back roads when I was teaching!

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Specializes in ICU.

My FWD Cherokee gets me to work in a foot of snow just fine, and much better gas mileage than a Grand Cherokee... plus do you really need that third row? If you're really looking for an AWD vehicle there are a lot better options than a 5-10 year old used car that gets like 12-15 MPG in the city.

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If you're really looking for an AWD vehicle there are a lot better options than a 5-10 year old used car that gets like 12-15 MPG in the city.

The way I figured it is this. My "work vehicle" is a well maintained AWD vehicle, driven to beat the hell out of it, cost cheap upfront (depreciation, versus buying new), and reliable.

I got this idea from a close friend.

His vehicles:

1998-2002 TOyota / lexus SUV (dont know the model, it's box in shape) that he drives every day, through the winter, doesn't care what happens to it, but is still on top of ALL maintenance and repairs like his other "toy" car...

A 2013 BMW M3 e92 limerock park edition. Needless to say, garaged and babied. Never sees snow, or rain. Only taken out for those 'type of day' days.

I asked him what would he do if his daily driver broke down and was unfixable. His reply "buy the same model, same year, over and over again. I love this car."

I asked him what would he do if his toyota/lexus broke down. His reply "I would trade this in, buy the same model over and over again." And he stuck to his words.. he first had the 1990s Lexus SUV, traded it in, and got the Toyota version.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Whatever you do stay away from the 2015 Honda CRV, just bought one, and realized about the vibration issues when it was too late! There is little hope that honda may have a fix soon, since the fix is in the testing phase... until them I drive my vibrator on wheels. If you google 2015 Honda CRV vibration issues you will see the hundreds of complaints and threats of class action lawsuit!

Stay away from subaru as well since they are already being sued for high oil consumption in many of their new models, including this years, to the tune of eating a quart of oil every 1200 miles!

They don't make cars like they use to. Just remember to live within your means and don't by a car that is way over you price range and budget. You won't mind the expensive car payments in the beginning, but after a while...

Good luck.

Annie

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Specializes in Oncology.

Isn't this whole discussion a bit premature? You have to get in to nursing school first, then graduate, then get a job. It seems to me you're several steps ahead of yourself. I would focus on school now and buying a car later.

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Whatever you do stay away from the 2015 Honda CRV, just bought one, and realized about the vibration issues when it was too late! There is little hope that honda may have a fix soon, since the fix is in the testing phase... until them I drive my vibrator on wheels. If you google 2015 Honda CRV vibration issues you will see the hundreds of complaints and threats of class action lawsuit!

Stay away from subaru as well since they are already being sued for high oil consumption in many of their new models, including this years, to the tune of eating a quart of oil every 1200 miles!

They don't make cars like they use to. Just remember to live within your means and don't by a car that is way over you price range and budget. You won't mind the expensive car payments in the beginning, but after a while...

Good luck.

Annie

Thank you for the heads up Annie! I'm sorry about your car problems. You're right, they don't make cars like they used to. Still figuring out how to go from metal to plastic haha. As for Subaru, they do make decent cars as honda does depending on the year and model. A nurse at my job has a 1998 subaru crosstrek or forester, and he's praying to god it will break so his wife would allow him to get a new car.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I agree about focusing on school and a car later. I have only just this last year bought my first SUV. I bought a ford escape. I have gotten to work just fine in all kinds of snowy weather without and SUV in the past and I live in MI. Focus on school right now.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I have a 2015 Mazda CX5 - sporty, fast, cross over, good gas mileage, AWD and handles the "snow belt" well. All for roughly 25k new stocked well ...ie navigation.

Seriously, check they out. People love them. My mom just bought one few months ago because she loved mine.

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Isn't this whole discussion a bit premature? You have to get in to nursing school first, then graduate, then get a job. It seems to me you're several steps ahead of yourself. I would focus on school now and buying a car later.

And to that I say you are right. School is the top priority. But it also does no harm in thinking about how I want my future played out. How else would I get through school if I didn't know what I wanted in the future? I would just be another "I'm in college but I have no idea what I want for my future" student. Ambitions baby, you got to have them.

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I have a 2015 Mazda CX5 - sporty, fast, cross over, good gas mileage, AWD and handles the "snow belt" well. All for roughly 25k new stocked well ...ie navigation.

Seriously, check they out. People love them. My mom just bought one few months ago because she loved mine.

Sounds efficient. Maybe by the time I'm done with school they'll fall within my budget for a work vehicle. I'll check it out when I cross that bridge

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