Commuting, which schedule works best?

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

Definately the 12's. By working roughly 12 days a month, you spend about 24 hours traveling. If you work 5 days per week, you spend 40 hours per week traveling. Plus, working 8 hours shifts you are more likely to travel during high traffic times. But if you work 12's the roads will be less busy which means you can have a faster commute, and there are fewer cars if the weather is bad.

SushiRN · Aug 22, 2011

Go for option B

demylenated, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

Ashley is so right. Look at the $$ you'll save in gas as well. I think commute or no commute that would be my option...

Unless you just can't handle nights (some people can't - I am one of them).

misswhitney · Aug 22, 2011

I work about 50 minutes from my job and I can't imagine doing option A. You also have to think of the traffic at 8 in the morning (you would have to leave even earlier) on top of doing it five days a week. I had to work 8-5 during orientation week and by the fourth day I was so exhausted I took at nap as soon as I got home.

ruralgirl08 · Aug 22, 2011

I am not good driving home after nights, need to pull over and nap 2 or 3 times on the way to my bed. I currently do option B, but was thinking of changing units.

Option A) 7am-3pm, offers: no weekends, most holidays off, no swing shifts

Option B) easier to take vacation:) Feels like you get a break from work.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

I am not good driving home after nights, need to pull over and nap 2 or 3 times on the way to my bed. I currently do option B, but was thinking of changing units.
Option A) 7am-3pm, offers: no weekends, most holidays off, no swing shifts
Option B) easier to take vacation:) Feels like you get a break from work.

Option A sounds good to me. Its hard driving after nights especially 50 minutes. :yawn:

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

I have a 45-55 minute commute and my schedule is close to option A (School Nurse, no evenings, weekends, or holidays and snow days off!) If I had to work 7a-7p I would probably have to get up at 4:30 (I get up at 5-5:30 now to be here for 7:30), and that is just crazy to me, even for just 3-4 days per week.

Jenni811, RN · Aug 22, 2011

i would do option B.

I know the feeling of winter driving. i live 45 minutes away from my work, and winter is AWFUL to drive in .I live in Wisconsin, we have nasty nasty winters. Plowing does not get done until it is DONE snowing. I work 12 hour, and i have to plan ahead of time. if i work the next day, i need to 1) stay at a friends place that lives closer. 2) stay at the hospital.

it sucks that i have to resort to that much planing because i HATE taking work home with me. You end up doing much much more driving if you go with option A. About twice as much more driving than if you go with option B. Either way, your going to have to drive in the winter driving so it doesn't matter.

2011nursetobe · Aug 22, 2011

Definitely the 12s. I have a 45 minute commute that turns into an hour and 15 minute commute if I work 7-3:30 b/c of rush hour. Its not bad at all...I use the drive time to get my mind off things before I get home. I can't imagine waking up 5 days a week to go to work. Working the 5 8's will burn you out in my opinion. Everyone prefers different things though. I like 12 hour shifts because I'm already there, I know my patients, why not just stay an extra 4 hours and finish up what needs to be done for the day!

LouisVRN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

I would definitely do the 12s. I could not imagine working 10s (which basically with drive time would be what you would be working) and only having 2 days off. I think if I could work 2 days 2 nights then 5 off, I'd work my days on the weekends to cut down traffic even more. I also use my commute home after my 12s to relax and eat breakfast before I go home and go to bed. I recently moved and my commute went from 10 minutes to 30-40 minutes but I find I go to bed at about the same time. Previously after getting home I'd have to get on the internet and mess around for a bit to unwind before going to bed and now I find that I am good and ready by the time I get home.

maiday · Aug 22, 2011

I think I'd do the 12s... but 4 in a row is tough and the last 2 on nights...

Have a good plan in case you're too tired (stop for coffee or even a 15 min nap). I work nights (or did) and live 60 min away from work. I would sometimes stop half way and sleep a little. It's too easy to think you're ok and start falling asleep.

Plus, like others have said, doing the 12s you shouldn't hit traffic. My 60 min commute turns into an hour and 20 min if I need to come in at 8 or leave between 3-6pm.