How far would you commute for awesome salary?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2015

I would commute 40 minutes, but not 90. I've never lived more than 12 miles from my primary place of work. I'd move closer.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 22, 2015

It's probably not really about the money, but about how long you're willing to sit in your car in traffic each day. Some folks don't mind -- they say it's an opportunity to change gears/decompress. Others can't stand it. You'll have to decide where you fit on the range. But remember, if you take the job and later decide the commute is too much, you're letting someone down. If you take the job, stick it out for at least a year.

SeattleJess · Mar 22, 2015

Add up all the dollars in and the costs and the hours you spend to net your paycheck. Divide. Then you can compute your true hourly wage. Then you need to look at the percentage of your day you will spend on work (including commuting), sleep, the other basics of a life and subtract that from 24 hours to see how much is left for the rest of your life. Children? Community? Spouse? Exercise? More?

Then think about tweaks. Can you rent a room, etc?

You'll make the right decision. Don't be hooked by the raw figures until you figure out the actual cost/benefit.

And congratulations on your offer.

PMFB-RN, RN · Mar 23, 2015

I have an interview for a regional float position with Kaiser this week.
Free insurance for the family and about $12 more an hour would have me banking a lot more money a month. I would save $800 a month in insurance alone, not including the bump in salary.
The catch, I could potentially have an 1.5 hour commute, one way. Now, I'm not sure how often I could expect to float to that facility, but man that's a haul each way. Most of the facilities are about 40 minutes, no biggie. But 1.5 each way?
Does anyone do that now or would consider it for a nice pay raise?

I would do that in a heart beat! Make a plan in case you have to spend the night near work. Get good road side assistance plan, like through AAA. Buy a cheap but dependable used car like a Toyota Corolla that also gets great gas milage. Cary emergency supplies and an overnight bag in your car. Have $500 in cash and a credit card with you all the time.

For about a year I commuted to San Jose California from Wisconsin. I worked 7 on, 7 off and caught flights back and forth. I made a LOT of money in San Jose. Even after the cost of renting a room to sleep in between shifts and the flights I make $70K more that year than I could have make locally. I have and do commuted 3 hours each way if the money was good enough. Just rented a cheap room to crash in between shifts.

lovinglife2015 · Mar 23, 2015

Can you take the train or bus? Here in DC the Metro goes that far out.

If the money were good enough, I would move closer.

Libby1987 · Mar 23, 2015

I don't think everyone here knows how good of an employer Kaiser is. Union. Retirement. Excellent medical. Highest wages. Huge system with facilities and clinics up and down California.

I'd sacrifice a year and/or make accomodations for the days I was floated to the farthest facility to get in the door.

Noahj · Mar 23, 2015

Thanks everyone for the comments and thoughts to ponder and consider.

My wife is saying, no way. But I'm interested in hearing the offer.

My first thought was, "How many days you guys going to send me 1.5 hours to this facility". Once every couple weeks, I'd consider. Once a week, doubt it. Once a month, more than likely.

I've had similar thoughts as others have posted, staying the night at a hotel after work was the first. Once a month, I'd probably do that.

I'm really wanting to get into Kaiser. They just opened a huge outpatient facility 10 minutes from my house, but damn, it's like trying to break into Fort Knox to get an interview with them.

I was thinking that getting this job could get me in the door and into another position more accommodating.

I'll update this after my interview and what the offer is.

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 23, 2015

I've been commuting 50 miles/70 minutes for almost the last 3 years. The amount of sleep I lose in insane. I hate the drive, HATE IT, but I like my job and I love my coworkers.

YuHiroRN, BSN · Mar 23, 2015

For that kind of pay raise and not paying for insurance, you could easily afford a smaller hybrid vehicle just for your commute. I'd consider it to get into Kaiser also, but only if it were a specialty I was interested in. Float might do it for me.

Keep us posted!

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2015

CONGRATS!! Sounds like a great opportunity. It's a shame it is so far away, but as long as you don't mind the commute take it. I drove 90min for a part time PDN job I had. Some days I HATED it, others it wasn't so bad. I heard a lot of great books this way and had plenty of alone time I wouldn't get otherwise. After 2 years I had enough of it. This could be the start of something better. I wish you luck with whatever you chose. :)

northmississippi · Mar 23, 2015

Is getting you a cheap apartment close to the job a consideration? maybe share it with another nurse? that 3 hours a day driving and alot of gas money,,,, or a cheap hotel room for those nights.

sistrmoon, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2015

I would only commute an hour or less each way. I listen to audiobooks on my current 35 minute commute(although can be much longer in snow), and it's still soul-sucking.