Distance from hospital to apartment

Reigen · Jun 26, 2012

I have a few questions, but let me tell you about my experience with being housed "35 minute" drive from the hospital, and perhaps my story can help you with your decision.

The housing by mapquest showed 35 min drive or about 26.7 miles. That didn't sound "too bad", until I thought about variables.... I was to work the night shift, my route was "against traffic" (meaning I would be driving with the traffic each way), also it was a large major city, that had several freeway accidents each and every day. So being "sneaky" I had some time off between contracts....I went to that city and tried out the drive....From the apartment complex, to the hospital, thinking I could leave about 6:00 and arrive about 6:35ish, I was WRONG I had to leave in order to be on time between 4:30 pm and no later than 5:00 p.m. in order to be able to get to where the traveler's where to sign in and then get to the floor I was to work at.

After leaving (if I managed to get off on time at 7:30 a.m. I found I was once again in major traffic, that 35 minute trip well I finally arrived back at the apartment complex, a few short minutes before 10:00 am. Accidents, traffic, and road construction deters....I thought do I want to get "home at 10 am after working 12 and 1/2 hours to get maybe 6 hours sleep and have a rush hour nightmare to drive through each time I worked?

I requested safe housing closer no farther than a 10 minute drive, or I would decline. I am tired and do not want a mental challenege of rush hour traffice to contend with after working. I did not think I could be alert and safe enough to do that drive.

So before you take that housing can you do a search for housing closer that is in a safe neighborhood? Call the local police they can tell you what areas are "safer" if you can not find that information on the "internet".

Being safe means more than just having a place in a safe neighborhood, it also means being safe to drive after working. The last thing we need to hear is you had a motor vechile accident and well.... we all know that can mean several things. you survivied the accident but need long term therphy or long term care or the worst you did not survive.

I hope this gives you some food for thought.

Reigen

brillohead, ADN, RN · Jun 26, 2012

In addition to the police, you can also ask around to see if you have any friends/family who know anyone who actually lives in that area, too. (Facebook is great for this stuff -- you have a very wide network available!)

You want advice from someone who actually lives there as to what areas would be best for living/commuting.

sdlane · Jun 26, 2012

Safety is very important ! Maybe that is the closest the agency could get. Sometimes cities are very rough and you have to live on the outskirts to be safe. It does not hurt to ask.

caliotter3 · Jun 26, 2012

Safety trumps convenience.

northcalgirl · Jun 26, 2012

Ok - I have one question and one comment.

I am curious about how difficult if would be if you get there and decide that the commute would be treachourous, to get new housing from your company. My guess is that this is NOT easy but I have not had to do this (thankfully).

My suggestion would be to ask your future supervisor at the hospital where he or she reccommends you live. I have done this twice and it has always worked out for the best. Your new supervisor not only knows the area but also know where other travelers have lived (if they have had them). They should also know about traffic patterns etc.

It definiteley requires some more research! You do not want to repeat the bad experience Reigan had...yikes!!!

Italia61703 · Jun 26, 2012

So I talked to my recruiter and it's the best they could do. I thought it over and have decided to take it. It is my first travel assignment and am grateful for the opportunity they are giving me. Hey it's just 3 months....right? I will make sure that for my next assignment the hospital will be in a better neighborhood. Hopefully after this assignment I'll have my pick of anywhere I want to go. I appreciate everyone's input.

However, if I have to do what Raigen did then I will be back posting asking how to change haha!

Again thank you everyone.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Jun 26, 2012

If you end up with a situation where you only have a few hours turnaround from when you get home to when you leave for the next shift, you may want to look into staying at the hospital in an on-call type room, if they have that as an option. Or see if you can bum a bed from a coworker. Spending a couple hours each direction commuting is gonna get real old real soon if your work back-to-back days!

Italia61703 · Jun 26, 2012

That's a really great option that I can look into. I never thought about that! Thanks. I know there are already two travelers there now and they have other postings so maybe we can car pool to reduce the stress if they are in my situation.