Driving an hour and half - two hours to work for a new grad

[dot93]

Hello forum! Been lurking on this site for a while now and finally decided to make a post to see what you guys would think of the situation here...

I'm about to finish my program in a few weeks and received my only job offer not too long ago. It's a temporary position until next June. Given the current job market these days, I didn't hesitate and accepted the offer right away.

Now the job is located about an hour and half away from where I live. Not entirely sure if it's doable to drive that long for 8 months? I'm not inclined to relocate mainly because of the housing situation in the new place as it's pretty hard to find a place for a single person in the new town (most rentals are for the entire houses and they require leasing). However I might change my mind depending on other factors I'm not seeing right now.

Everything else about the job is ideal for me; it's in an area I want to work in, the hours I will be getting is great and the facility/staff is really nice etc.

Would you drive an hour and half for work? What are some concerns during the winter? Or should I relocate?

Thanks!

[Fiona59]

There are days it can take that to cross my city.

What are winters like in your area? How long are your shifts? How many in a row will you work?

Price of gas, insurance, maintenance of car should also be factors to consider.

Any chance of renting a room from a coworker?

[dot93]

I'm in Alberta, the winter here can be brutal.

8 hour shift, not sure how many in a row I work.

Yeah, thanks for the idea, I'm going to look into that.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Okay, so let's break this down. You're going to work 8 hour shifts. That means 5 shifts in a week, on average. The shift is actually more like 8 1/2 by the time you give report and finish up your charting. If you're driving 1 1/2 hours each way on a GOOD day, that adds up to 11 1/2 hours per shift. You'd be leaving your house probably about 0420 on days, 1320 for evenings or 2120 for nights to ensure you're getting to work on time, and getting home at 1700/0100/0900 or later. How comfortable are you going to be doing all that highway driving at night? For several nights in a row?? If my hunch is correct, 6 months of the year you'll be driving in the dark both ways no matter what shift you're on. Then think about those days when (northern?) Alberta has bad weather. If you get up for work at 0345 and it has been snowing and blowing all night, that 90 minutes you've given yourself to get to work isn't going to be enough. You'll be digging your car out in the dark, driving in bad weather on often deserted highways and doing it tired. I live and work in the city. My usual commute is about 35 minutes each way. There have been lots of times that my trip in or home has taken well over an hour. I work 12s, so that means I lose sleep when I don't get home until nearly 0900 after a night shift and have to go back for another one. I wouldn't even consider driving 90 minutes each way. That's not even considering that your car insurance is going to cost a lot more, you'll be paying an arm and a leg for gas and having to replace your tires when your temp is over. I wouldn't consider it worth it.

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

Til next June is 11 months

[Fiona59]

Til next June is 11 months

Clearly states s/he's "about to finish my programme". Which means most likely the end of August. The postings here state a start and stop date, so OP knows how long a temporary job will last.

It sounds like the tail end of a mat leave or a major surgery that's been scheduled.

[Purple_roses]

I'm in Alberta, the winter here can be brutal.

8 hour shift, not sure how many in a row I work.

Yeah, thanks for the idea, I'm going to look into that.

What kind of car do you have? Preferably all wheel drive with the amount of driving time you'll have in the winter. And hopefully something at least moderately gas efficient.

[ruralgirl08]

Not worth it for 8hour shifts. That commute is too long. I did 8hr shifts 1hour each way FT. I was miserable. Went down to PT and it was torerable (while I looked for a more local position.) I drive 30 minutes now. So much better. I personally wouldn't do what you are purposing. If you are not willing to move, look for something local. Or rent a room like someone else suggested.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I think it depends on your local market for new grads. I'm in rn school now (after having experience as an Lvn)

I would consider commuting, due to the fact that my local market is saturated with new grads and I really want to get acute experience as a new grad, because, as I've been told, once you're an "old" new grad, acute care facilities won't hire you.

I'm trying to prepare myself for the potential necessity of commuting in order to get my career started on the right foot.

If your local market for new grads isn't that bad, then you maybe should hold out for a closer position.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Personally, I wouldn't commute anymore, especially living in AB. I would either rent a room or move closer. I've done the hour commute and hated it.

During the winter when the weather is unpredictable, no thank you. Your days will be very long and tiring.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I live about 2 hours away from my work. It was the only place I could get a job as a new grad. Fortunately for me, I work 12's and therefore only work 3 days/week. The other thing "working" in my favor is that I used to work on an ambulance, so driving basically all day is not that big of a deal for me. I do have to sleep in a bit longer on the day following my stint, but it's not truly all that bad. Would I drive 2 hours for an 8 hr shift? Perhaps once in a very long while I would. Would I do it for a 5day/week job? No chance. That's like working 5 twelve hour shifts in a row. Tough.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

That's good info, AkulaHawk! I've er, stalked your posts and we live in the same general area, I think!!

Prayers and good luck to me when I earn my RN next year!!!!!😀