1 Hour and 25min drive to school to become an RN? It's it really worth it!

pixiestudent2 · Apr 18, 2015

You don't have any community colleges near you?

JamieB86517 · Apr 18, 2015

Small sacrifice for a big reward. I drive 35 and a lot of people think that's too far.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 18, 2015

Wayyyy to far for me. I currently live 10 minutes to school. I wouldn't commute more than 45 minutes, but that's just me. I got to school with 1 girl that drives 2 hours one way.

RookieRoo · Apr 18, 2015

I moved for nursing school. that's too far to drive, plus you have to think that you will have late night clinicals, etc. Some people in my class do drive that far but I wouldn't (and not for Kaplan)

imaLvn2 · Apr 18, 2015

If its what you really want to do, don't let that distance stop you from accomplishing your goal.

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · Apr 18, 2015

I took 3 buses and a train to make it to clinicals. Stop being whiny!

JamieB86517 · Apr 18, 2015

I don't see where she's being whiny, she just asked for motivation! Lighten up

Sweet charm, ASN, RN · Apr 18, 2015

I would try and look for schools closer. Unless you can take the bus or train that way you can at least be studying on the way to or from school and clinicals. That's around 8 hours a week that could have been used studying

u2canbanurse · Apr 19, 2015

That is a long drive. My school is 50 miles away and depending on traffic, it takes 50-70 minutes to get there. Keep in mind, that the hospitals you'll be assigned to might make your commute even longer. My my recent hospital was an additional 15 miles beyond campus.

Is there anyway you can move closer?

There are times that being in the car for two hours a day is l-o-n-g, but there are others when the drive goes by fast. I plug in my phone and listen to a lot of podcasts, record and listen to my lectures, listen to a lot of YouTube videos regarding what we're covering, and a lot of quizlet flash cards. Definitely take breaks and get out and walk around the car a few times if you're feeling drowsy. Or blast some pop music and sing at the top of your lungs to stay awake.

My recent quarter was rough - I had to be on campus or clinical five days a week. It was a lot of driving. But this quarter I'm only on campus/clinical three days - so I feel like a new woman and have "found" about eight hours a week to study outside of the car!

It's not easy commuting but like you said, this is what you want. I feel the same way. Good luck with your decision!!

Cruz.Cookie, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2015

Let me tell you, I drove an hour and a half five times a day in my first semester of nursing school. I would sleep over a frievds house each week for clinical at 6am as well. It was worth it for me because it was a highly competitive 4 year BSN program. The type of program that turns away 500+ applicants a year.

Is the commute hard ? Yes. There were several times where I found myself drifting off To sleep commuting back to home after a 10 am to 6 pm lecture....dangerous I know. However, it can be done. I found rolling down the windows and blasting My music aid in the long drives home. It's all a matter of if it's worth it to you. Nursing school is highly competitive and if you're admitted in a program --sometimes you gotta get in where you can . Good luck with your decision. It's not as bad as you think. Consider possibly moving closer if you can? And possibly applying to closer colleges. If that's not a feasible option just know a little commute never hurt nobody .

Cruz.Cookie, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2015

2 year BSN program **