Commuting, is it worth the drive?

Nurses Job Hunt

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  1. Should I take it or wait for something else?

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Hello fellow nurses, I graduated in May and moved out of state to a new area. I have been struggling to get a job where I am now located but I may have an opportunity in a med-surg unit at a hospital which is great! The only problem is the hospital is an hour and 15 min away. Is it worth the drive working 3, 12 hour shifts a week? This hospital is connected to another hospital that is 5 min from my house so I am thinking eventually I could transfer. I have commuted 40 minutes to a past job and didn't mind it but this is far and working 12 hr shifts!! What do you guys think? Thanks!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

For the time being, I would accept this job offer. After all, a job offer for a position closer to home might not come to fruition for months (or more than one year).

Are you prepared to go a long time without work? Although a commute is involved, at least this is a firm job offer that will result in RN pay and RN experience. I would accept this job offer while continuing the hunt for something closer to home. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

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Yes, you should take it. What other option do you have? Maybe you can find a cost effective hotel near by and stay the night if you are too sleepy to drive home. Let your manager know how long your commute is and see if they may be willing to schedule your days all together to make it easier for you!

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Specializes in Operating Room, LTAC.

Hello!

I was just in the same boat as you. I graduated this past May and have be applying to jobs ever since. I have been getting rejection after rejection. And I must say, it was definitely not a good feeling. Then finally...I attended a job fair, interviewed, and was basically offered the position on the spot. The only issue was the commute. It's about an hour away and I definitely did not want to commute that far. But, if I declined the offer I probably would be out of a job for quite a while because the job market is so tight right now. I actually debated for a short period of time if I should "wait it out." But, I accepted the position. The pros definitely outweighed the cons, because the only con was the commute. And also, just as you, the position I accepted is within a network hospital. So, after a year or so I may relocate somewhere closer. But for now I have to do what I have to, to gain experience and get my foot in the door. Though I thought it would be easy to find a job, I've come to realize that it most definitely isn't - well at least with being a new graduate.

I pray that God give you guidance. Good Luck with your decision! :-)

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Specializes in Maternity.

For me, everything is an hour away! :rotfl: I would take the job. I work with people who commute 2 hours away everyday. Also, if you work three 12 hour shifts consider the fact that its only for a few days a week. It not like a mon-fri job :)

Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

Since you are in a new area and its going to be some time before you really settle in, like 1 to 2 years I would take the offer. Right now I'm apply to nursing schools that are that far, one is even 1.5 hours away and to me it will be worth every gallon of gas if I do get in. This should be the same for your first year as an RN, its worth it to get experience. Have you been reading these allnurses board lately? Some are going 1 year without a single response, so you are lucky to even get an offer 3 months after graduating.:cheers:

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Thanks everyone, I guess it was a no-brainer! What is interesting is i looked at some other nonnursing websites that discussed the long hour commute and a lot of them were against it because of gas costs and traffic.

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Specializes in Psych.
Hello fellow nurses, I graduated in May and moved out of state to a new area. I have been struggling to get a job where I am now located but I may have an opportunity in a med-surg unit at a hospital which is great! The only problem is the hospital is an hour and 15 min away. Is it worth the drive working 3, 12 hour shifts a week? This hospital is connected to another hospital that is 5 min from my house so I am thinking eventually I could transfer. I have commuted 40 minutes to a past job and didn't mind it but this is far and working 12 hr shifts!! What do you guys think? Thanks!

When it comes to commuting, I always look at the financial and career growth aspects - that is, compared to my current position and rate of pay, does it offer more career growth (in my chosen field)? Does it offer enough money to offset the additional cost of gasoline (I rate this at 50 cents per mile).

Given the fact that you're not working as a nurse now, the career growth is positive. If you're not working now, then so is the additional cost of gasoline. Otherwise, you have to do the math - if it's 150 miles round trip, will you make at least 75 dollars more per day than you do now?

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

I would take it. My first nursing school(LPN) was a little over an hour away. My second(RN) is 1.5 hours away. I also work about 40 miles(one way) from my home 3 days a week as a home health nurse. I might scared you if I told you how far I might drive with my prn agency and hospice jobs :). GOOD LUCK!

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I would deff take it! I just started my job an hour and fifteen minutes away! It's not too bad of a drive! I am 4 days a week till orientation is over then in 3 12s! I am in an area where the hospitals only want BSNs! I don't think commuting 3 days a week is bad at all

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, PACU,SICU.

You can always spend the night, as long as you can afford that in your budget and then you only drive twice in a week. Get the experience and hope you can transfer closer to home. Congrats on the offer.

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