Commute

[nhnurse25]

Graduated in 2011 and after a year of applying to hospital jobs within two hours of my current residence I finally found a full time position. I have been there for three months, love the floor, the staff, and am starting to feel confidant. The only downside it the 75 mile commute with night shift. This week a hospital 8 miles from home called to schedule an interview. The position is 5 hours less per week but slightly more pay, same hours and same type of floor. I am torn, and not sure what to do. I would like to work closer to home especially working overnights but am not sure how this would look on a resume leaving after only three months. My manage is aware of the commute and I have thought about asking to continue working on a per diem basis. Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Tnyce]

I say go for the one closer to home, it's more money in the long run, less mileage and gas. I think your manager would understand. Stay per diem and if you realize you don't like the other job, you probably can switch back

[nhnurse25]

The decision is a hard one. I know that I would most likely get better experience at the hospital closer to home. The hopsital I am currently working at is a small 25 bed hospital. Most of the patients are there for an extended period of time and are stabilized by the time they come to our floor. There are definitely things to learn where I am now, and you can never predict how the day is going to go. I have a little bit of loyalty tugging at me right now, and feel bad switching jobs after a such a short time period because of the amount of time they have invested in orienting me as a new nurse.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I was in a similar situation as you. Not a lot of miles, but an hour long stop-n-go commute of a hundred stop lights. Took me about 6 months to get used to it. I just left the job for other reasons, and it was difficult to leave people I enjoyed working with. You can always go on the interview and see what happens.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Could you move closer to your current job? Or crash on a co-worker's couch in between two 12's? That would lessen the commute. I can't even imagine driving that distance after a night shift!