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!
