I posted something similar on my state board but thought I may get more experiences here. Does anyone commute an hour away from home for work because they prefer the better work environment?
Do you drive home every day or stay in that area? For example, I am thinking of a 36 hr three 12 hr, days position. It would be ideal to stay in the area but I don't know how to work that out or if financially it would be beneficial.
Any experiences with commuting this far are appreciated.
I did an hour and 20 minute commute for almost 1.5 years. I would not do it again. When it snowed, I would end up being out for ungodly amount of time (giving myself extra time to drive, covering the next shift because they would inevitably call in). I also felt sometimes unsafe driving because I worked nights and would be up over 24 hours at a time if my shifts were not back to back. There were several stops alongside the highway I had used for napping. What's more, I had accumulated 50k+ miles on my car. I had to take the job as it was my only hospital offer after graduation but I would never do it again.
I drove an hour one way for the past 8 years, because I liked where I worked. I worked at the local hospital for a couple years, prior to me going to the one I commuted to, but left because of personal reasons. I stopped working full-time there in January and just do a couple days a month now. Due to my current job kinda falling into my lap, and was too good to turn down. However, it is still a 45 minute commute one way. During the 13 years of my nursing, I have commuted the vast majority of it. So it's no big deal to me.
If you are going to do it, make your time productive:
Listen to medical podcasts and continuing education during your commute
Have a good bluetooth setup and make some phone calls
Of course if it is 1 hour of stop and go, you'll have to concentrate on that. If it is mostly smooth highway you are better off.
Also, don't make the mistake of buying another vehicle that is more efficient. Do ALL the cost/benefit math and you'll find it isn't worth it even if you are only getting 18mpg now.
I currently commute anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours (depending on the day and traffic) to where I work. I do it because it's a fantastic work environment and the time I lose in traffic is made up in spades by the awesome experiences I have had here (and look forward to continue having as I will beginning my RN residency in September).
Everyone thinks I'm crazy but when they really think about it, it truly isn't so (it's LA, so even if I was closer, I'd still be looking at an hour drive). I consider it this way: I get up between 4 and 5 (depending on the day) to make it to work by 7A and get home usually about 9:05PM regardless of the day. The extra hour or two I could get by working at a place closer to home (and, really, where I'm at my drive is at least 45 minutes to any other hospital that comes even remotely close to what I'm doing -- peds hemeonc) would only amount to an extra 3-6 hours a week in my life (I do drive back and forth everyday; there is a very narrow range of circumstances that would cause me to feel the need to stay closer to the hospital). That is small potatoes compared to the 36-42+ hours of experience I get being here. The cost of my experience is minimal compared to what I am gaining.
So, sorry but an hour is nothing, especially if it's an awesome place filled with awesome coworkers and patients and families. You'll be surprised at how easy you will find yourself to acclimating to the drive. I love driving though so....
If you are going to do it, make your time productive:
Listen to medical podcasts and continuing education during your commute
Have a good bluetooth setup and make some phone calls
Of course if it is 1 hour of stop and go, you'll have to concentrate on that. If it is mostly smooth highway you are better off.
Also, don't make the mistake of buying another vehicle that is more efficient. Do ALL the cost/benefit math and you'll find it isn't worth it even if you are only getting 18mpg now.
This times a million. I plan on getting the car I want (I haven't had a new vehicle in close to 11 years) that will make the drive even more worth it. I wanted a hybrid something or other to get that green sticker to be in the HOV lane in CA but it's not worth it. I want something to treat myself after the long years of struggle and sacrifice to get to where I am now.
I work two 12 hour shifts a week an hour away from my home. The ICU that I previously worked in was only 20 minutes away. The director was so-so, the hospital wasn't that great, and while I loved the nurses I worked with there was a lot of drama. The ICU that I work at now has a very involved teaching environment with a lot of room for growth. The drive home after a long day sucks, but I would not trade the experience I'm having at that hospital for anything. Sometimes the commute is worth it.
I commute an hour for a great work team and because most of our new grad spots go to people who have been PCAs. The foot in the door is worth it to me. Plus I can't beat the the scheduling flexibility available for students
I used to commute an hour and a half each way a few years ago. Via the train that is. What I decided to do was learn Spanish and refresh my sign language skills on the commute. If I was going to be on the train for three hours might as well work on self improvement. I also listened to alot of podcasts. I started listening to plenty of medical podcasts which made my commute go by fast and was educational and enjoyable. When I was at an interview a few weeks ago, and the ADON asked if I spoke any languages, I answered in Spanish as well as sign language. I thank my long commute for that! My new job is now an hour via public trans (if I had a car it would be 30 min) but looking forward to even more self improvement for this commute! I am in a masters program so I will more than likely just read the 2-3 chapters I am assigned each week, and do my studying on my commute. So just like a few other posters mentioned above - if it is a long commute, do not dread, just make it productive!
One of my jobs did have 1 hr commute each way. I wasn't happy about it but the pay was great and the coworkers were great to work with. However, I did have a place to stay should the weather be unfriendly. So my suggestion is, make sure that you have a place to stay if weather becomes a factor. Or, make arrangements with a coworker to 'rent' a bed for those 'back to back days'. Driving 1 hr after a particularly difficult shift is not only exhaustioning but not safe.
My current commute is about an hour each way (that's with no traffic, mind you). I am willing to deal with the commute for now because I am in an awesome residency, but I am looking for a place closer to work because I can't stand the feeling of almost falling asleep while driving. Some people really enjoy their long commutes, but it's just not something that works for me.
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cleback
1,381 Posts
I did an hour and 20 minute commute for almost 1.5 years. I would not do it again. When it snowed, I would end up being out for ungodly amount of time (giving myself extra time to drive, covering the next shift because they would inevitably call in). I also felt sometimes unsafe driving because I worked nights and would be up over 24 hours at a time if my shifts were not back to back. There were several stops alongside the highway I had used for napping. What's more, I had accumulated 50k+ miles on my car. I had to take the job as it was my only hospital offer after graduation but I would never do it again.