Driving an hour to school there and back

happynurse49, BSN · Nov 13, 2013

I too drive an hour each way. Once you get used to it, it really does go by fast. I just hate doing it during the winter months, but I just leave earlier.

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2013

That is what I am doing currently I drive a hour there, and a hour back home. I hate the drive but it will all be worth it in the end. I had a choice to take a spot at this campus that was far away or decline the spot and reapply for next semester and I had no guarantee that I would even get a spot at the closer campus which was like 30 min away. I have a small child and it's not easy getting up and leaving early to be at clinical or lecture, but it's what I chose and I am committed to the end. I say what ever is best for you and what distance you are willing to drive

ruralnurse84 · Nov 14, 2013

One of my classmates drives about 45 min each way, we have class 2x/week, clinical once a week and often she comes up on one of the other two days to do open lab or study...her biggest challenge is working Sunday night to Monday morning and having to come to class right after she gets off work, and we usually have a test every Monday morning. It's challenging but she makes it work and it's worth it.

Midwest Mark · Nov 14, 2013

I drive about an hour each way as well. I've actually gotten to the point where I enjoy my drive. It gives me a chance to relax on the way to and from. Also, on exam days I occasionally put in an mp3 of recordings of my test notes (Q&A style) and have a last second study session on the way.

Madras · Nov 14, 2013

Two hours each way rain sleet or snow. Just put your favorite radio station on and some coffee and enjoy the ride.

In the warm months, windows down music blasting let your hair out!!

Lol yes my sanity is still intact. :wacky:

mvm00 · Nov 14, 2013

I'm with everyone else.. I loved my long car rides. It was my me time but at the same time I listened to lectures. I was able to start remembering things based on what landmark I heard it by. Listening to lectures at home with young kids was impossible unless I waited till they were asleep so the car rides were perfect.

jayyr_lim · Nov 14, 2013

How busy does your personal life get? Because if it is fairly busy (kids, family, job) then I would only imagine how difficult the long drive would be for you as you would be exhausted. But if you can manage, I'd say go the RN route. Goodluck! :)

Amnesty · Nov 14, 2013

Oh, you definitely aren't alone in driving long distances to get to your classes. I was really surprised the other day to find out that I'm actually the only one in both of my skills lab classes and also my clinical classes (so about 25 of us once I account for overlap) who does live in the town I go to school in. All of the others face a 30-60 minute drive to get to classes, and it's even more for clinicals it seems like.

There is something to be said for having it easy and rolling out of bed at 8:30 when I have class at 9 am (and being perfectly on time, of course!). However, had the BSN program actually been the better option when I was comparing this local RN program to the 45-minutes-away BSN program, I'd have chosen it in a heartbeat. RN vs LPN is a no-brainer in my town, where the only place an LPN can find a job is in an understaffed and hectic nursing home. It's good to hear that you're going for the RN :). You'll save yourself so much time in the long run not having to bridge that I think you'll really be glad you did it!

fetch, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2013

In addition to recording lectures, some of your books may have audio tracks for each chapter on their website -- I think it was my med/surg book had three mp3 to download for each chapter. Key points, vocabulary definitions, and a quiz. They weren't detailed enough to be the ONLY studying for tests, but they definitely helped me get the general overview. There are also podcasts for specific topics that you may struggle with - those can also make a drive go by faster!

SarahStoddard14 · Nov 14, 2013

I'm not going to work during the 2 years I'll be in school. I just have a dog, almost 5 year old, a house, and husband to take care of. I'm not going to stress about the drive. People have it worse than I do. I'm going to use everyone's suggestions and put the drive to good use!:)

RN9742 · Nov 14, 2013

I had a 45min drive to and from, twice a week, before I had a clinical rotation, I hated it. I'm just not the type of person who likes being in a car for extended periods of time, especially if I am alone. Take into consideration that the campus was too far away if I needed something, or my internet was down. And add into the fact that it ate into the already reduced time I had to spend with my kids and husband. I dropped the BSN program and opted for the closer ADN program. I can honestly say I do not regret that decision at all, had I stayed in program I would have already completed my BSN, however instead I will graduate in May with my ADN. If I would have just opted for the ADN program from the beginning I would likely be done with that as well.

My advice, make a pro/con list, and really give it some thought. Take into consideration things like the overall length of the programs, possibility of being transferred before it is completed, possibility of your hubby being deployed before it is completed, cost of gas/wear and tear on your vehicle, extra child care cost due to longer days, the lack of spouse support (if he won't get on board with the driving, he will be your worst enemy, and you will need a cheerleader). You want to do what will set you up best for success, and going lpn then bridging may be that, or sucking it up for 2 years may be the better option for you as well. I think it is easy for people to say just drive 2 hours, if you really want it you can make it through. Which is true to a degree, but there is also another side to that, nursing school is hard enough as it is, why make it even more difficult.

northmississippi · Nov 14, 2013

it would be worth the longer drive,, you can listen to your lecture notes along the way if they let you record them, if not, record yourself reading the notes..your chances of getting a job will be much better and for higher pay with RN. You will get used to it, and it would be fun to have a relaxing drive home with a bag of chips after class.