Commute to school?

tothepointeLVN, LVN · May 5, 2008

'm lucky my car does close to 40 miles to the gallon on freeway. Much of my commute will be bumper to bumper traffic which if you just chill and listen to the radio is not that bad. BUT put your air on recirculate don't have it come in from the outside as freeway fumes are horrible for you.

Marysjrfan · May 6, 2008

Wow, you guys are troopers. I feel very fortunate to live 1 mile from school. That's about 5 min. I would however make a 45 min drive if I had to. It would just be hard considering the gas $$$ but a second car would be a good option (with good gas miles of course)

Yeah, I live pretty close to my shool as wel (15 minutes if no trains). Befoe we moved hre, I ws divin 45 minutes in good weathr...and didn't regret it a bit. I would drive an hour or so one way in order to be at good school.

suanna · May 6, 2008

Commute to school may not be your only worry. You need to find out where clinicals are being held. 45min dosn't sound too bad to commute with planning but what if your clinical training is another 45min from the school further from your home. The programs in my area try to hold clinicals within a 1hr drive from campus but if it is in the opposite direction you are looking at almost 2hr commute. For a 7am clinical you will need to be up at 4:00-yuck.

Kimberley.RN · May 6, 2008

I'm in prereqs right now. But when I apply to programs, I'm going to apply to schools that are up to an hour away. Right now I commute 35 miles (50 mins in traffic) to work and have been doing that for 1-1/2 yrs so I'm used to it. I'm in Northern CA so if I get in a school that's even 1-1/2 hrs away I'll take it. The programs here are VERY impacted. I drive a Prius and get great gas mileage. Thank goodness! But gas prices are a huge concern to everyone, and prices just keep going up. Good luck with your decision.

jjjoy, LPN · May 6, 2008

In regard to the nearby diploma vs ADN, if the diploma program has a good reputation, I'd go with that one. You'd have much lower transportation costs and more time available (less time on the road). And many (not all) diploma programs do a great job preparing their graduates for the working world. Many new grads have a rough transition after graduation because there's a significant gap between what is expected from students and from new staff nurses. And while the cost of the diploma program is higher, it's not like some private or second degree programs that cost $30,000, $40,000, and just up and up from there! If the associated hospital of the diploma program hires it's students as assistants for a decent wage, then it would be a shoe in for me. For me. Not necessarily for you!

In regard to the initial commuting question... my first response was that a 45-minute commute is considered average where I live. But we don't have to deal with driving on icy or snowed over roads at 4am. Personally, I HATE long drives each day - especially if it involves sitting in traffic - and it would take a lot for me to choose a bad commute over another closer option. Again, that's me. I know lots of people who have daily commutes that would send me to the looney bin!

JerseyGir1 · May 6, 2008

I'm starting an accel. BSN program in a month. My commute is probably only about 15 miles, but would take 30 mins in light traffic, more in heavy traffic. I'm also considering taking the train which would be a 10-12 min drive to the station, and I honestly don't know how long the ride is from there. So, to the OP... I don't think your commute sounds too bad. You do what you gotta do, right? And if its an accel BSN.. you're only looking at a year or two I suppose? Good luck!!!