Dream Job

[MinoritySN]

My career goals are to ultimately work in CVICU. I applied for a position to CVICU without knowing how far the job was from where I lived. They finally called for an interview and come to find out the job is a 2 hour commute. I do not know if I should interview for this or even commit to this! Any advice?

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

A 2 hour commute sounds like a really really bad idea. I guess if it were me, if there are no other job prospects I'd do the interview and then figure something out if they offered the position. Depending on what the schedule looks like, would getting a motel room for in between shifts be an option? That might be a good solution if you're working 12 hour shifts a few days in a row. Or just relocate altogether? But to make that drive for every single shift would cut SO much into your off time--including sleep time--which is unhealthy at best, dangerous at worst.

[assidere]

I drive an hour each way, going from a small town and into the big city with a Level I trauma center to work in CICU. When you account for the commute, my "12-hour shifts" are actaully 14.5 hours each. Makes for a tough stretch doing three in a row...

I wouldn't recommend driving two hours each way unless you have no other prospects, but at least going to the interview couldn't hurt. You will get the experiece, and you may find you like the unit/hospital/city enough that you want to relocate...