First nurse job 1.5hour commute

GRN005 · Jul 8, 2016

Hi thanks for your input. What area do you live in ?

FurBabyMom, MSN, RN · Jul 8, 2016

My first nursing job was at a hospital that had laid off a bunch of staff about 20-24 months before I started (to be fair I didn't really research it as much as I should have). It was horrible there, and after I left, there was a second round of lay offs (within 36-40 months there were 2 rounds). Had I really known and researched better I probably never would have taken the job.

My second job as an RN was 75 miles from my then home at a MUCH better hospital. Not my choice of what to do or units to work on, but much better. I commuted 150 miles round trip during orientation and for about 7-8 months until I found something else (job-wise). Had I not found something else I would have moved closer when my lease allowed. I would have stayed my full year as required there to be considered for internal transfer and then went to a more desirable unit. It wouldn't have been the end of the world.

Anyhow. The commute got annoying quickly. Keep in mind you have to commit to leaving early enough to make it to work with time to spare in case you have to change your route. Where I lived (Appalachia) there are not usually many alternate routes to the interstate or US route system. When it snowed 3-6 inches overnight I was up at 0330 to get ready to leave and on the road by about 0400 (I'd get to work and then finish getting ready in our break room). I drove to work on unplowed interstates. Most days when I worked days I left by 0445, and when I worked nights I left at about 1645. You're not always going to be able to drive the speed limit, and traffic can be sub-optimal. Multiple times traveling to and from work I had to adjust my planned route due to roads being impassible (trees, accidents, rock slides, construction, etc). The drive to work, without traffic in the AM when I worked days took about 60-70 minutes, going home when I worked 8's was about 90 minutes and when I worked 12 hour days it was about 60-70 minutes. When I worked nights the commute in was about 70 minutes, the commute home depended on when I left the hospital following report - sometimes 60-70 minutes, sometimes 90 minutes. Traffic is really *not* fun after 12 hours of work and being up for 16ish hours *and* having to go back that night. Just things to consider.

42pines · Jul 8, 2016

Five days a week, perhaps 60 miles each way will burn up at least $400/month considering wear/tear/gas. At $0.56/mile (the IRS allowance if you were self-employed) that's $1448 per month.

Still, I took a job a couple of years back, albeit only 4 days/week and the one-way commute ranged from ~75-90 minutes one way and it was doable. But I did not need to get in till 9am and it was only 8 hours/day. If it was 12 hours I'd say: "don't do it." But if you need a job and it's a good job, take it. Don't worry about being laid off--if you are look for a new job. But you need to start someplace.

In the past I've worked distant from my home and have rented a room during the weekdays from a listing on Craiglist. It was easy to find good people to rent to me, one was the head librarian for Tufts University--a lovely place and only $700/month. She was thrilled that I only rented weekdays.

You need experience and these are not easy times. Still beware--I had one friend who graduated with me and we did rotating 12 hour shifts and he trashed two cars in one year--falling asleep on his commute home. Much depends upon your own stamina.

Erythropoiesis · Jul 8, 2016

Hi thanks for your input. What area do you live in ?

I'm in south Louisiana. There truly is a nursing shortage here. In fact, we come up short with just about everything here.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jul 8, 2016

I would have to be desperate and only do it if that was the only alternative to pay the mortgage.

Buyer beware, BSN · Jul 9, 2016

I'm in south Louisiana. There truly is a nursing shortage here. In fact, we come up short with just about everything here.

Got a house on stilts, a five dollar bill, sittin' on the banks of a muddy muddy bayou. Lots better than the streets with crowded cars a pawn shop and a neighborhood bar...etc.

vanessaem, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2016

Jobs for new nurses are definitely not easy to come by so I'd take the job and look about trying to get an apartment or something closer to where you'd be working. Dead tired after a shift then having to drive 90 minutes home too? I couldn't do it.

Perhaps you might also look around and see what else is out there while at this job before you're next on the chopping block.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2016

Red flags for me also. I would stay away from any facility that had recent layoffs. Screams unstable.

Dafabb, LPN · Jul 9, 2016

As an agency Nurse for many years I traveled to hospitals 35 mi. in town(DFW) and 45-50 min. West texas I worked 40 mi away/30 min...I20 all the way. In winter the trucks kept the road pretty clear..I did eventually even hate that drive. I will say that's going to get old pretty quick....If you even get offered the job and take it I would highly advise you to get a room for 2 days...it will be worth it...Maybe you would eventually work with someone who would let you rent a room for that time. You will need to always factor in weather and wrecks. Since we don't know where you live it's hard to advise on that. That's the kind of drive that is hard to stay awake on so don't risk yourself.....It might be time to check out some small hospitals where they do hire more with less experience...Some of the small towns hire new nurses. Again it's all about where you live. I wish you good fortune in whatever you decide.

lapswimmer135 · Jul 9, 2016

Before I became a nurse i worked in Boston, MA for the Bank of Boston running their network on weekend 3 - 12 hour shifts and 1.5 hour commute. I got through it. It was 15 hour days. The drive to my home in Rhode Island was not bad once I got out of metro Boston. I kept that job until the bank was bought out by another larger bank. I used my generous severance package to finance nursing school. I worked the night shift back then 8p-8am so at least the sun was up when I went home. Hope that helps. Joe

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jul 10, 2016

It won't hurt to at least got to the interview and then you can always worry about the potential commute if you are offered a job. I would be very concerned though about accepting a position in a hospital that laid off 60 nurses not long ago and are now hiring new nurses.

What happened to the 60 nurses they already laid off? Why weren't they offered to opportunity to return before this hospital decided to hire new nurses? If the laid off staff were given the chance to return, why didn't they? Is it such an awful place to work that the laid off nurses found other employment and declined to return?

Maybe the hospital just cleaned house by "laying off" nurses with the most seniority to cut costs in both wages and benefits with zero intention of calling them back. Very possible if it isn't a union hospital. Personally I think that is a horrible way to do business and actually hurts the hospital in terms of lost productivity without senior staff to guide the new nurses. It also seems to be an alarmingly common way to cut costs.

twilatwiddle · Jul 10, 2016

I have had an hour commute for over 4 years and I do just fine but 1.5 hours would do me in. I've interviewed for positions 1.5 hours away and there is no way I'd be able to do it after 12 hours. Not to mention you'll get out late more often than on time.. especially if you are planning on doing 12 hour shifts. You'll never get any sleep and you'll be under enough stress since this will be your first job. I wouldn't do it.. keep searching you'll be glad you did.