100 mile commute. Worth it?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  1. Which offer should I accept?

    • 39
      Longer commute job
    • 36
      Shorter commute job

75 members have participated

Hello, I have been searching for an PRN ICU position in my area, while I am currently in school to finish my BSN online. I was offered a position for a ICU position PRN/Days at a hospital that is 50 miles away, 50-60 minute commute, one way. I have a 2013 vehicle that runs 28-30 mpg.

What I like about this position is that there are no weekend requirements (shifts are FCFS when scheduling), that I can pick up as many shifts as I desire, technically, beyond my required minimum of 4 shifts, and that I can still gain critical care experience.

I have another PRN offer which is Float (between med-surg and ICU) Nights, with a requirement of 8 shifts a month, with 3 weekend shifts required in it, and in which I would drive 15-20 minutes to work.

Considering my baby (aka my vehicle), me not dozing off on the road to and from work, etc. what offer should I take? I am leaning towards the longer commute one. Any advice or support from your experience would be so helpful! Thanks!

I work an hour away from my house, in distance. It's definitely worth it if the job fits all your requirements. The drive can be tough sometimes but it's a great time to listen to new podcasts or learn a new language.

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I travel 75 miles each way to my job. I work 12 hour shifts for a 0.9 night shift position. I work in a Level II Special Care Nursery. I think every minute of the drive is worth it. I have to get gas every two days, I have a new rav4 that gets about 27 miles a gallon.

Follow your passion and the time will fly by in the car. I like listening to audio books too!

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Specializes in ICU.

like someomne mentioned, the 8 shift/ month...its part time in disguise with out the benefits. I would take the one with a longer comute. Your not tied to it. A 1 hr commute is not terrible. Just find some good podcasts.

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Are the offers mutually exclusive? Why not both? My job is a 45mile 50minute travel 5days a week. I love it. I have time in the morning to go through what I need to get done for the day. My drive home is where I drop off all the crap accumulated for the day that I don't want to take home to family. 28-30mpg is that seriously an issue?

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NOPE, an 100 mile commute???

Nope.

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If you do have trouble staying awake, take food like apples or carrots to crunch. Create a half way point and take a nap if you have to.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I don't mind commuting; however, keep in mind as PRN you're the first one to be cancelled or asked to stay home, only to be called back and expected to be there in 30 mins. Happened to me. I would be called as I was halfway into my commute and told I was being low censused but not completely off the hook. They would then call me in when admissions were rolling in the door and expected to be there in 20-30. I had to leave that job and ultimately later moved to that town.

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Specializes in PMHNP-BC.

8 shifts a month for a PRN??? That is part time, looks like someone is trying to weasel out of paying benefits...

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No. Not worth it. This software requires that I type a longer answer so I'll just say it again, No, not worth it. Life is short and it's even shorter if you spend most of it behind the wheel of your car. They had better be offering you a huge benefits package and lots of money and a guaranteed lunch break.

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take the shorter commute at this time. The long commute will take its toll on you eventually between your classes, and child , you must have time for yourself to rest and excel in school. There will be plenty of time to gain additional experience as you progress. A long commute takes too much out of your pyschic and is very stressful. Of course the decision is yours and you know what you can do, but take time for your studies and your self if you want to be successful in nursing. opportunities will come along.

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The job that is 50 miles away is a much better job than the one that is 15 miles away.

Some of the answers here suggest that the commute is 100 miles, one way. No

And I have known people who think its normal to drive 80 miles to work, I just don't get it.

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Some of the answers here suggest that the commute is 100 miles, one way.

Yeah, I made that mistake when I first read it too. 50 minutes of 50 highway miles isn't bad at all. It takes me 50 minutes to do a 16 mile commute where I live and it's pretty grueling with the bumper to bumper traffic. I'd do that on highway in a heartbeat and I'm no stranger to long commutes. I used to commute 125 miles ONE WAY! Never again.

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