How far is your commute?? (and big city traffic)

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse, Ambulatory Care.

I was recently offered a 32hr night position in Boston, MA. I live in Attleboro, MA. I already work per diem at this facility and the only thing turning me off from taking this job (apart from giving up some seniority and all my accrued paid-time-off at my current FT job) is the commute/parking. I have a feeling that traffic won't be so rough getting into town for 11pm, and I bet it won't be so horrible leaving town because I'll be heading out when most are heading in for the day. Though winter is approaching and the bad weather will play a factor... FYI, my current job is about 30 minutes away with free parking and no crazy traffic. I can deal with Boston on a per-diem basis but I wonder if it would be too much on a FT schedule.

Anyway, I'm getting off track. The commute is technically a 45-50 minute drive without factoring in traffic (which can delay you for who knows how long). There is NO parking close by. There is a garage across from the ER of a major hospital about half a block away, but it's $30 to park there for over 7hrs.

I'll be talking with my nurse manager today about the open position, and I'll bring up my concerns at this time. I'd love to take the job because I worry about job security at my current FT employer. This facility in Boston is more relaxed and more organized. I just can't afford the parking!! The pay would be the same at this new place and I'd be working the same amount of hours. I'd also try to move to per-diem at my current FT job to supplement the income. I guess I'm trying to weigh the good and bad here: my current FT job where I don't feel valued and don't feel like my job is secure VS. a more relaxed/organized facility with a rough commute & expensive parking.

SO, for you nurses that make a commute to work, how far do you travel? How do you deal with big-city traffic and parking? Were you able to work something out with your employer to make things less stressful? Thanks for any input here!

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I have a 25 mile commute(each way), into Detroit. Our traffic has been noted to be the 10th worst in the country. I've been to Boston... it could even be worse!

Parking increases the commute time. Would you have to punch in?

Sometimes a couple of minutes of grace makes all the difference!

Why are you considering this job change?

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

Um about...45-50 minute commute. I handle parking by parking in our parking ramp. We have no parking issues! :)

What i do is when i work, i requested to work in a row. so i'll work like 3 nights in a row. My parents live about 15 minutes from the hospital, i live about 45 minutes. so i just sleep at their house in the guest bedroom during the day instead of making the long commute home. I'm gone for like 3 days and my miss my fiance like crazy during those times but he understands and we feel it is safest for me and everyone else on the road.

No way do i feel i should be driving on the roads after a 12 hour night shift! im so tired.

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Specializes in Med/Surg Tele; LTC; Corrections.

I live in Houston, Texas where traffic from any given side of town on any given freeway can become insane if an accident occurs especially between peak traffic hours between 4-8. I live 30 min away from my job, and I watch the news before I go in at night, to see if I should avoid any freeways, and if I do ill try to use surface streets, which can be packed also, so I guess my best advice is leave early.

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse, Ambulatory Care.
I have a 25 mile commute(each way), into Detroit. Our traffic has been noted to be the 10th worst in the country. I've been to Boston... it could even be worse!

Parking increases the commute time. Would you have to punch in?

Sometimes a couple of minutes of grace makes all the difference!

Why are you considering this job change?

25 miles sounds about right for me, too. I'm considering the change because I've been feeling bullied at my current job by other staff. I work in drug/alcohol detox. A lot of this is coming from counselors that work at the facility and not other nurses. The other nurses and my nurse manager are generally supportive of me, but unfortunately there are other managers in the building for the counselors and ancillary staff that make things difficult. Some counselors have continued to suggest that I've done inappropriate things with a former client (long story but I can guarantee there is no truth to it whatsoever). Every so often, it comes up and I feel like I constantly have to defend myself and worry that I'll be suspended pending investigation or fired. I'd love to start fresh and not have to worry about who is saying what. :/

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse, Ambulatory Care.
Um about...45-50 minute commute. I handle parking by parking in our parking ramp. We have no parking issues! :)

What i do is when i work, i requested to work in a row. so i'll work like 3 nights in a row. My parents live about 15 minutes from the hospital, i live about 45 minutes. so i just sleep at their house in the guest bedroom during the day instead of making the long commute home. I'm gone for like 3 days and my miss my fiance like crazy during those times but he understands and we feel it is safest for me and everyone else on the road.

No way do i feel i should be driving on the roads after a 12 hour night shift! im so tired.

I wish my parents lived that close! Sounds like you've got a good deal :)

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

10 miles but it takes 40 minutes....

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RxOnly-

I live in the same basic area and have used a number of routes to get into the city.

Have you thought about the commuter rail? It is about an hour to south station from Attleboro and with parking will probably run you only about $15 vs. $30+gas+wear&tear on your car...

When I head in to Boston I'll usually park at a T station and take the train in from just outside the city to avoid most of the bad traffic, plus the parking is much more reasonable.

If you would rather drive and just want a cheap place to park; Northeastern has a garage with good rates at the end of Melena Cass Blvd (exit 18 on 93), next to Ruggles station...the area can be a bit sketchy at night though.

Hope this helps

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

3 miles.

I usually ride my bike.

That is... weather permitting.

Fuji.jpg

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54 miles, 1 1/2 hours into Tampa, FL. Figured it was worth it because I am 1. a new RN who needs a job 2. consider it a short term arrangement. Parking isn't an issue as the facility charges $20/month to use their garage. I'd definitely speak with the NM and other nurses in the hospital to find out the best deals around. If they've been doing it, they'll know. Good luck!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

if you take the job, won't there be some sort of "employees only" deal on parking?

my commute is 40 minutes each way -- on a good day. if there's traffic, it could be an hour. bad weather or a sporting event can add as much as another hour. parking is $75/month.

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About 70 miles one way. Takes a bit over an hour and gas prices are a killer. However, I have a job so I'm not too keen to complain...for the most part.

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