Commuting to the Medical Center

abundantjoy07, RN · Jan 2, 2009

Thankfully my commute is short. 35 minutes by street and 20 minutes by freeway. I could never work somewhere where I had to seriously commute. Over 30 minutes by freeway is too far away for me.

I do know that some hospitals in TMC pay for bus "tickets" for the express Metro services. With the new coworkers you meet you might be able to arrange for a local hospital carpool. Check with HR before you accept the job as they have lots of info on transportation options.

Here's some carpooling links:

TREKHouston

RideSearch

Carpool World

Good Luck!

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jan 4, 2009

I commuted from Baytown to the med center for one semester during nursing school and HAD to move. Even that was too far. After 12-13 hours at work, I'm pretty unsafe to drive home and then come back the next day. If you don't need a lot of rest to be alert, it could be worth it...but for me..I needed my sanity. I live about 1.5 miles from my hospital (med center) and pay outrageous rent for it, but it's worth it to me!

Oh, the BSN thing - I think it's just MD Anderson that doesn't hire ADNs. A lot of places will do tuition reimbursement when you get your BSN.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

Hey everyone :)
I live in Spring (just north of Houston for those who are elsewhere in Tx), and I will be graduating with my ADN in May 2009. It doesn't look like the 2 hospitals out here that I really wanted to work at will be hiring GN's over the summer (at least that I know of) and I have really been thinking about applying for jobs in the medical center.
Really, the only thing that bothers me about it would be the awful commute... and I can't relocate for at least 6 months to a year after I graduate. However, I have been giving a lot of thought to what great experience it would be.
Does anyone live really far and drive there every day? Know of any carpooling groups or anything like that? I've also been looking into the Woodlands park and ride. I know it goes to the medical center. Does anyone use it?
I am really starting to think it might be worth it to go down there. Thanks! : )
And yes, I know a lot of the hospitals down there want BSN's, but I have found some places saying they take ADN's, plus I am going to be getting my BSN as soon as possible.. I have already completed all of the pre-reqs.

Kitty, I'm in the same boat as you. I graduate in May from LSC-Montgomery, and it doesn't look like any of the Spring or Woodlands hospitals are all that interested. Including the one I've worked at for four years.

hunnybaby24, BSN, APRN, NP · Jan 5, 2009

park and ride close to house? cheap bus fare + no hassle parking

diane227, LPN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

I used to live in the Woodlands and commute by bus to Ben Taub. I had a management position so my hours were unpredictable. And you could not miss that last bus. It might work for you, depending on your shift.

ddoosier · Jan 5, 2009

I am moving to Houston in a couple of weeks and will begin work at TMC. I intend to take the Park in Ride. I will be working the 7p-7am shift. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

Kittyfeet · Jan 6, 2009

It depends on what part of town you live in from what I hear. Most of the feedback I've gotten is that the park and ride is not a bad way to go. I've actually had someone suggest the Woodlands park and ride over the Houston one, even though it is more expensive.

What part of town are you moving to?

sbyramRN · Jan 6, 2009

Well, I will be working at Texas Children's and apparantley they have an offsite garage with a shuttle service. My question is, does anyone know if that shuttle service runs at 3am? I will be working the 3pm-3am shift.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2009

It depends on what part of town you live in from what I hear. Most of the feedback I've gotten is that the park and ride is not a bad way to go. I've actually had someone suggest the Woodlands park and ride over the Houston one, even though it is more expensive.
What part of town are you moving to?

The problem with the Woodlands Express, nice as it may be, is the hours of operation: the last bus leaves the medical center at roughly 5:30P. This of course, doesn't work out very well considering if you work day shift, 7:30 is the earliest you can make a bus and that's pushing it.

ddoosier · Jan 6, 2009

I bought a home in the 290 Hwy 6 in Copper Lakes.

quirkster · Jan 7, 2009

Everything everyone said about the Woodlands P&R was right. It is extremely difficult to ride that bus home if you work a 12 hour (7a-7p) shift. I would strongly recommend either a carpool or Metro. What hospitals have you tried applying to or inquired at up North? Did you try Northwest and St. Luke's-The Woodlands? I know TCH doesn't hire many ADNs, if at all--they don't do direct patient care. Good luck in your endeavors and your best bet is to get your BSN as soon as you can and have the time to study for it! You can do it!