Commuting to Nursing School?

nlitened · Aug 8, 2014

I have to make this decision as well. Go to a school 1.15hrs away (that will cost me next to nothing) or go to a school 30 mins away that is $$. I worry about my 10yr old car making the 2.5 hour drive daily. Decisions, decisions......

But that is a great idea to utilize your car ride wisely! And yes, a budget is a must. Sorry I couldn't be of any help. Just wanted you to know you are not alone...ugh commuting:yawn:

ihurdle1920 · Aug 8, 2014

Thanks! People are saying that I am crazy for driving 4 hours and that it can't be done. I know it will work out though. I'm just afraid of not passing the first semester because I was doing too much. It is always good to go in with a plan though. I start in a couple of weeks.

RN403, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2014

I knew someone who commuted a little over 2 hours each way to get to school each day. They did just fine, if you are up for it and it works better for you, then I would say go for it. Most people I knew that commuted, no matter what their distance, utilized a tape recorder or their phone during lecture so that they could study and listen to the material on their drive. I think that would be a great use of time if you do end up commuting. Good Luck in whatever you decide.

ihurdle1920 · Aug 8, 2014

Thanks for the advice! I am motivated and excited to start!

GodIs082010, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2014

Are there people that you could possibly carpool with?

ihurdle1920 · Aug 8, 2014

Not that I know of, but I never thought about that. I'll be sure to network when I get to school.

mrsboots87 · Aug 8, 2014

Its not necessarily crazy to drive 2 hours each way, but I wouldn't recommend it unless it is your absolute only option. If this is an attempt to save money have you considered how much gas it will take you? If the average tank will go about 350 miles highway, then that means you are filling up pretty much every day you have to drive. Also, clinical rotations are generally done at facilities close to the college. So you will be doing this drive very early as well. When you get to block 2, your clinicals will likely start as early as 6 am and as late as 7 am since you will need to be there for shift report on your patient. When you consider time for parking and walking and getting ready to start the day, you would need to leave your house at 3:30 am for a 6 am shift, which means getting up 20-60 mins before depending on your morning routine. Add in the nights that baby is fussy or fights sleep or wakes frequently for whatever reason, and you will get even less sleep. Then after a 12 hours long shift, you will need to drive 2 hours back home. If you hit traffic at any point in your drive to school or clinical, then you will need to take that into account and leave even earlier. This means you need to go to bed pretty early so you wont have much time for anything except driving to and rom school and studying. This also means that their will be days that you do not see your baby for more than a midnight wake or a quick snuggle in bed. Also, you will need to gather patient information the day before your shift (in most programs anyway) so if you don't have class the day before your clinical, that's an extra trip out there. If you do have class the day before then you save the gas and time but it takes a couple hours for info gathering at the hospital, plus a few hours just on prepping the careplan. Then your drive back home. See where I'm going with this?

Basically, if you have no other options, then go for it. But make sure to consider all the driving and early bed times, early wake ups and the possibility that if you have class the day before clinical, than you will be getting home late, to turn around and wakeup very early to go back. GL in whatever you decide and know that ultimately the only person who knows if you are capable of the commute is you.

PauperRN · Aug 8, 2014

4 hours commute? Jesus Christ! Is that one way or back and forth? I did 1 hour one way, so a total of 2 hours and after a while u don't notice u commuting. Then I had this old car that never let me down- god bless her soul. I would pass new cars stuck beside the road long way from home and I would tell my old car to be nice to me and never pull such a stunt on me, and gladly it didn't. With that said, 4 hours commute ur car better be in good shape and u too, coz there were times I would doze off- those nights when reports were due and u stay all night up. Good luck to you- u surely need it.

ihurdle1920 · Aug 8, 2014

Wow! You said a hand full and your right. Time is very important, and I should expect the unexpected which will make it hard if I am 2 hours away. I think I worked out to where if I needed to stay a day or two, I could during the week. I have a Corolla, and it's very good on gas. The only reason I had even considered it. However, my financial aid does not allow me to pay for the cost of living by myself.

kalycat, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2014

I commuted the same distance. I recently wrote about the time demands for my program - 42 hours per week including lab and clinical,

the layout of the program was such that all content was delivered in the first 3 semesters.

I did it because the chance to train at a large teaching hospital, far better program and eventual relocation to the area made it worth it. My kids are much older though, and even with that, I ended up renting a room in a lovely home from a woman who only rented to graduate or law students - it was totally furnished and the price was great; it became a real refuge for me. It actually ended up being cheaper than a daily commute with gas and maintenance on my Nissan, and my program required 12 hour clinical shifts, so that would have made driving impossible for me personally. I would end up home every third day or so for 2 or 3 days. I got used to it quickly and the odd hours became manageable, but it was a lot at first.

Good luck - that would be a tough decision for sure with a young kiddo at home. It's amazing how adaptable you can be though!

Stress management and good eating were critical for me as an older student - as soon as I started living on coffee and redbull, I knew I was headed for a crash.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2014

For one year from late 2004 to late 2005 I commuted 95 miles one-way (190 miles round trip) to school five days per week. I lived in central California at the time and commuted to an LVN program in southern CA.

Starting in early 2009 I commuted 225 miles one-way (450 miles round trip) across state lines to school. I lived in Texas and commuted to a school in Oklahoma City.

So, yes, commuting can be done.