130 miles/2 hours 15 minutes each way to work?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

I'm interested in a new graduate program at a large level I teaching hospital. If I got the position I would take it in a second. I live in MA and there's a big glut out here...I've been job hunting since May with nothing on the horizon, so this a huge opportunity to work my dream position in a level III NICU straight out of college...I would get to go out on deliveries and transports, the nurse-patient ratios are excellent, and they have all the technology I want to work with. 34 days off/year with a cashout option and great benefits are the icing on the cake. The only downside is that the pay is a few dollars less an hour than MA, however there's no state taxes so that helps. The main issue I have is that it's a little over 129 miles/2 hours and 15 minutes each way and the unit has 12 hour shifts...That would be a minimum of an 18 hour day when you figure wake-up time, the commute, and staying a bit extra to complete tasks and give report...that leaves oh about 6 hours to eat, unwind and sleep if I have to do serial 12s. I don't mind because it would only be for two out of the three shifts, but I'm worried about being unsafe in practice and falling asleep at the wheel during a long drive on little sleep. Relocation is not an option at this point.

Has anyone ever made a commute like this and if so how did you work it out? I don't know anyone in the area to stay with overnight, and I was thinking about staying in a motel room if I have to do serial 12s...the thought of doing that skeeves me out though and I'm not sure it's really financially intelligent when I factor in all the gas it's going to cost to commute plus paying for a room for two nights. I'm afraid to bring it up in an interview because I don't want to be difficult about scheduling and I worry the commute will work against me in their decision-making.

So for those that made a huge commute like this, did you get used to it? How did you cope and how did it affect your marriages/relationships? (I don't have children so that's one less concern).

I am obviously willing to work hard for what I want but I don't want to be completely unrealistic in what I think I can handle.

Thanks so much.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

I haven't got time to get into the details right at this moment but I can tell you from experience that this didn't work for me and has never worked for anyone else I know who has tried it. I'm sure there is somebody out there that likes it just fine but there are so many more considerations with a schedule like this. I'll pop back in later and fill you in.

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You will be stumbling around in a haze.

Could you get an inexpensive room in a decent person's home and go hoe on days off?

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

If commuting is your only option, I would strongly recommend against this. Falling asleep at the wheel and killing yourself or someone else is a real possibility. We nearly lost a charge nurse this way.

Also, if you live in MA, you are going to pay state taxes regardless of where you earn the income.

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Specializes in None.

Could you possibly move to the city and/or town the hospital is located at?

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

If they allow you to do 3 12-hour shifts in a row, you could possibly find a cheaper hotel or a room to rent for those 3 days.

Driving over 2 hours after working a 12-hour shift would be horrible. I have a 30 - 40 minute commute -- I could not imagine a 2 hour commute.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

This schedule will physically take it's toll in a very short period of time. If this is truly your dream job, then move closer to it.

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

Maybe you could find a few other Nurses to share a place, like a studio? That way the rent could be split and you could have a place to store things.

I would never in a million years do that kind of commute from day to day. Say you have to stay OT and then turn around and be back in 5-6 hours? It wouldn't take much time to grow tired, angry and frustrated with your job

No job is worth that grief.

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This schedule will physically take it's toll in a very short period of time. If this is truly your dream job, then move closer to it.
Yes, my thoughts exactly. The only way I would do this if is was for a few weeks till I could get into a place that was closer to work. I know a small number of people that tried this and it did not work out.
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Specializes in Critical Care.

I agree with the OP's - anyone I know who has lived so far from work has opted to get either an apt. or become a regular at a local cheap hotel. One guy I knew was on a first name basis with the local Motel 6 staff - eventually the housekeepers all were super quiet when he was in residence, since he worked nights. (I think he co-erced them with food or something, lol!).

You might be able to do that commute for a short term, but I predict you would soon come to hate it. And hate the job as a result. I grew up in NH, and the OP is right - if you live in MA, work in another state, you will still have to declare the income to the State of MA and pay taxes on it. Worse, you won't have them taken out all year long, and will have a bigger state income tax to pay at the end of the year. Check with an accountant to see how to best prepare for this, if you do end up taking the job and not moving out of MA.

It is so fun to start a new job you really want, I hope it works out that you get to do so! The choice to move for a job is a huge commitment, but personally I have never regretted it. (I recognize some are more adventuresome than others...) I always figured I could move back if things didn't work out.

Best wishes on whatever you choose!!!

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

I can understand living in a small community with little opprotunity. If you really want the job I would ONLY take it if you are willing to stay in a cheap hotel in town during your nights working. Do not attempt to drive after those shifts. I work 10 hour shifts with a 30-60 minute commute and that is tough enough. Also take into account gas cost hotel cost and subtract that from your pay. You may reconsider after that

Good luck!

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Specializes in med-surg 5 years geriatrics 12 years.

I have worked with nurses who lived miles away and a couple had very small self contained travel trailers; got permission to leave it parked in the parking lot during the 3 shifts, then towed it home till the next week.

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