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Discussion

Commuting to Norfolk from Hampton

I just accepted a position at Sentara Norfolk General Heart Hospital as a new graduate and I am so excited to start working in July:yeah: but I have one concern! I live in Hampton,Va and hope to stay at home and save money as a new grad but I am worried about the commute through the tunnel 3 days a week. I am working day shift and wondered how early to leave for work, etc? Does anyone have experience commuting through the tunnel from Hampton to Norfolk:confused:? Is saving money by living at home worth the commute and the traffic? If anyone has any tips or personal advice I would love your input. If I can avoid getting an apartment in Norfolk I would love to do that (no need to spend money right). Thanks so much.

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    I'm assuming you're on 7a-7p ??....sounds early enough to me to get in before the "office type to downtown rush". haven't done the trip, but you'll figure it out and I am sure hear from other members on here. I'm jealous actually. I lived in va beach & worked at sentara leigh in norfolk. moved to nc but my heart is still there. (used to drive by the chesapeake bay bridge/tunnel @ approx 3am, 3 x's a week, when it was all lit up-you can see from an suv).

    whatever...stay w/ sentara.

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    I worked at Sentara Norfolk General for 6 weeks last year as part of the physician support team for the EMR implementation. I used to go past the windows on the 6th floor which looked out over the road to the bridges. Traffic would be backed up from 3pm until 6-7pm going through the one lane tunnel (not sure which one it is).Several employees lived in Hampton and said the commute really is not too bad. So if you are working 7a-7p, leaving at 6 on the first day would give you an idea of how much time you would need for the commute, and you can adjust your times after that. Keep in mind that accidents and vehicle breakdowns are never planned, and all it takes is one to make you late. At least one person a day called the charge nurses to report that they would be late due to the bridge traffic.

    Good luck...

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    I know lots of people who did it every day. It's quite common. The advantage of the early morning nursing hours is that the traffic will not be as bad as it will be a little later in the morning. Also, as the previoius poster said, people become accustomed to "delays due to bridge accidents."

    Consider both tunnels. Some people say the Monitor-Merimack is better. Others say the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. Maybe it depends on exactly where you live. I don't know.

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    I would suggest that you leave around 5:30 since traffic can be very unperdictable every morning, sometimes it's bad and sometimes it's worst. I would also suggest that when you take the interstate to get off at granby st. and take the road from there because traffic will diffently get worse trying to get to the downtown and va beach interstate change. IT'S ALWAYS BACKED UP IN THE MORNING. I hope this helps:)

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    • Experts
    I would suggest that you leave around 5:30 since traffic can be very unperdictable every morning, sometimes it's bad and sometimes it's worst. I would also suggest that when you take the interstate to get off at granby st. and take the road from there because traffic will diffently get worse trying to get to the downtown and va beach interstate change. IT'S ALWAYS BACKED UP IN THE MORNING. I hope this helps:)

    If you choose the HRBT, I would definitely take Granby St. I live near downtown Norfolk and that's the exit I use. Going all the way to 264 is way out your way.

    If you choose the Monitor-Merimack, the Mid-town Tunnel lets you out right at Sentara.

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    Hello, For three years I lived in Hampton and commuted to ODU, and did some clinicals @ Norfolk General .It really isn't bad. I would leave anywhere b/w 0545-0600. and that got me there @ a decent time.I would recommend that you leave @0530. no later than 0545. especially on your first day. Congratualtions on your job.

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