Commuting.....Need advice!!!

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Specializes in Acute Surgery/Trauma.

I would like to know how far have you or would be willing to drive to get to work. I will be accepting a position that is 2 hours from my front door to theirs. As we all know the job market sucks right at this moment and we have to take what we can get so to speak....It wouldn't be everyday either only working three days a week 12-hour shifts nights. Any advice or information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Ladies and Gents!!!

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

If you're going that far for work... I'd move.

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That doesn't leave you much time to sleep between shifts if your shifts are clumped together since work + commute time is at least 17 hours. Will you be safe to drive for 2 hours after a 12+ hr night shift? I'd either look into moving if possible, or look into a cheap hotel to stay in on work days.

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Specializes in Psych.

The one other person (RN) in the orientation I just completed commutes two hours each way 5 days a week (we work 8 hour shifts). This is not as unusual anymore as one would think. I would say it is much better than having to move.

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The one other person (RN) in the orientation I just completed commutes two hours each way 5 days a week (we work 8 hour shifts). This is not as unusual anymore as one would think. I would say it is much better than having to move.

Goodness... that's so much time and money spent on commuting!

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Specializes in ICU,ED, Corrections, dodging med-surg.

I did it back when I was 20 and single, but couldn't do it with children now! No way!

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Specializes in Acute Surgery/Trauma.

Moving is just not an option right at this moment....but yes in the future. I looked into taking the train then I could sleep and they have a megabus thats only $1-$5 each way. I have family I could stay with while there for back to back shifts. I'm just trying to wiegh my options....which there are not many!...smh...but thank you guys for the advice! Got a lot of thinking to do!:confused:

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Specializes in Psych.
Goodness... that's so much time and money spent on commuting!

Agreed. However, the high cost of commuting in her particular instance is actually the money-saving alternative compared to selling her affordable rural home and attempting to buy or rent in the very expensive suburban area where we work.

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Specializes in Acute Surgery/Trauma.
Agreed. However, the high cost of commuting in her particular instance is actually the money-saving alternative compared to selling her affordable rural home and attempting to buy or rent in the very expensive suburban area where we work.

See, and I don't want to up root my kids and my home is VERY affordable. I have a wonderful support system here which I won't have if I move. (single parent) So childcare I would need especially working at night. I just wish I could hit the D*&^ lottery and this won't be an issue....BUT! until then back to our regularly scheduled programming.:smokin:

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No way. Not for me at least.

I HATE traffic. I'm in LVN school and wouldn't even apply to the other locations of my school because I knew the commuting would be a dealbreaker for me. I took a calculated risk and only applied to my number 1 choice, leaving the other two choices blank rather than take a chance I would get in and then be faced w/ the impossibility of actually attending due to the drive, childcare, time away from my family etc.... For me it paid off. I got in my first and only choice. Had I not I would have reapplied this upcoming year. There is no way I would consider a job that would require more than a 1 hour commute. That doesn't leave much in Houston. It's a HUGE sprawling city....I could get a job that would take me 3 hours to get to in morning traffic and still be considered working "in Houston" that to me is just NUTS!

I'll take a lower paying job that takes me 15 min in a heartbeat. Not worth it when I weigh all the negative aspects of a long commute....even if it is 3 days a week.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

i drive 1.5 hours one way. i know of people who work at my current place of employment that commute from distances farther away. so much farther that some of them stay in motels or rent a room during his/her shifts then commute back home after sleeping. and yes, we have spouses and kids. it is sadly the norm due to the job market. after you receive enough experience or a facility or position opens up closer to home, then you may not need to commute as far... in the meantime good luck.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Well the good news is the housing market is wide open. Maybe you could find a part time place for sleeping and showering. I had a roomate once that was only there a few days a week, heaven.

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