Commuting an hour to work

I used to commute over an hour away. I was willing to do it for the invaluable experience that was afforded by working at that facility and I wasn't willing to relocate for a shorter commute. I worked 3 12-hour night shifts and commuted in/out for each shift. I did this for 2 years.

ETA, I just noticed you're from MA so I'll add some details. I used to live in Southern NH and commuted in/out of BWH during the Big Dig years. On a good day, it took me just over an hour. When the Sox were at Fenway, I gave myself 2 hours. I dreaded those shifts, but they were few enough that I could live with it.

I used to commute over an hour. I didn't mind for the first year, but I grew to hate it after that. I stayed for another year because I love a good rut and have trouble moving on ...but I hoped to be canceled every single day.

In the Seattle area, commutes over an hour are the norm, especially if you want to buy a house or live in a good school district on a healthcare salary. When I was working on Pill Hill in Seattle, my typical 27 mile commute from south Snohomish county took between 45 and 120 minutes depending on the traffic on I-5, and this was leaving at 0600 to 'beat the traffic'.

I've commuted over an hour for work simply because there are not a lot of opportunities in my town. At first it's ok, but after awhile it's draining. Especially if you had a bad or really long day at work.

An hour commute is nothing. If it's the cost of working in your ideal setting, go for it. Better than a shorter commute and another 8-12 hours in hell.

I've commuted 45min-1hr (depending on traffic) to work each way for over 10 years. I work 13-14 hour shifts. I don't really mind the commute at all, I listen to audio books. The only time it's bad is if I'm really really tired.

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Tomorrow I start a new job (medic) that is 74 miles one way. Its all highway driving on the PA turnpike but I can be there in a little over an hour. The working conditions are 1000% better, trucks are a lot better and everything works in them and the equipment is top notch. I look forward to it. Plus, the way i look at it, is the commute home gives me time to unwind and reflect from the days events. It helps that i only have to do 3 shifts a week also.

I have varying commute times depending on the location I'm working, but almost all of them are at least an hour away, a couple locations being more than double that time. If my schedule has me working back to back in locations a couple hours away, I will usually stay the night in a hotel so that I can save the drive time. I have done the math and it works out to my best to do so in those situations. I have found hotels for very inexpensive prices by planning ahead. This doesn't happen every week. It is just an occasional thing, but it works out ok.

As to my general feeling about long commutes, I have a love-hate relationship with them. I do listen to audiobooks, catch up on the news, give myself pep talks and have discussions with friends (hands-free!) during my commutes. I don't usually mind the drive that much. But after several months, it does start to get tiring. I limit the days I work because I really am exhausted (I work no more than 3 days per week). After a hard day, it's not particularly appealing to have a long drive home. And there is the mileage on the car which gets extreme. Right now, I'm staying at my job because it's a good fit for me. But I don't know how much longer I will do this. When I'm not working, I hate driving. I always say when I move on to a new job, it needs to be next door.

I know some nurses who live on the Cape and commute to Boston. I know of two nurses who would stay at a hotel when they worked weekends/2-3 days in a row so they didn't have to go back and forth every day.

If you take a 36 hr position, there's no guarantee that your days will be back to back. When I worked in the hospital, the only times I could guarantee my shifts would be back to back were on weekends. And then if you're overstaffed/under census on weekends, you could end up getting canceled.

As for me, I've never lived more than 6 miles from my primary job. In the snow/bad traffic my commute can still be over an hour though. That's something to consider in MA. In winter, a 1 hr regular commute could easily become 4+ hours if it's snowing.

I commuted while I was in nursing school for 2 years. It was a 71 mile drive one way, and I did this several times a week. It took longer than an hour but was a very straight drive. It wears on you, and this wasn't even for work. I know several people who do it at my job but I would caution against it. I am rarely out of report at 7:45 AM, it's usually closer to 8. To have an hour drive on top of that would be exhausting, especially if you have to be back the next night/day. You CAN do it, and many people do, but it is a drain on you, your vehicle, your resources. Also keep in mind about staff meetings, etc. An hour is a long way to go for a meeting. It is also rough when you have to stay for a meeting after 12 hours of work, then have an hour drive home. Everyone has to do what is best for them. Best of luck to you.