How far would you commute for your first job?

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Had an interview last week wayyyy outside of my metro area. Its about 120 miles round trip, and took about 1h 15m going and 1h 30min coming home (early rush hour).

I felt really fatigued after that trip. Granted a commute can be easier when the route is familar, without the added stress of an interview, but I was tired nonetheless.

I have 2 young children, and was hoping that after nursing school I could get back to being their mommy, now my only job prospect is one that takes time away from them :(

I don't have an offer yet, but if it comes through, I'm wondering what others would do? Moving closer isn't an option, unfortunately...

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Specializes in oncology, med surg & corrections.

here in phoenix, most would be thrilled to get to work in a hour or smidge over and true it would probably get quicker. What part of country are you in- do you have to take weather into consideration- such as snow issues or tornado alley, which could work in your favor as long as the wind was coming behind you:bugeyes: good luck to and drive safe

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

It guess would depend on if I was working an 8-hour or 12-hour shift and if they were back-to-back. I have been lucky to work:

1.) Two 12-hour shifts and an 8-hour shift = 32 hours; 40 minutes each way (with call 1x/week)

2.) Three 12-hour shifts = 36 hours; 40 minutes away

2.) Four 8-hour shifts = 32 hours; 1 hour each way

In this economy, I would take whatever you can get. Since it's your first job, I would be willing to do a longer commute, but not if I had back-to-back shifts.

My DH works 1.5 hours each way from home. In the bad weather it can take 2 hours. He is completely drained when he walks in the door.

Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, PCU, Med/Surg, Hospice, OBGYN.

Having 2 children myself, I would probably not commute for more than an hour each way. I've done it once before and I felt exhausted by the end of the day and that was at a time when I didn't have children! But on the other side of things, work is so hard to come by right now I would take any experience I can get and hope that this job market turns around soon so I could eventually get a job closer to home.

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I currently commute just under an hour each way. Fortunately, I get to work three 12 hour shifts a week. I don't think I would do it if I worked five 8 hour days a week. I really dislike when I work 3 days in a row. I try to only do that on my weekends. However, as another poster mentioned, with the job market as it is, taking a job with a longer commute may be the only option for some people.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I spent about two years at a job where I commuted 150 mi per day (90 min to, 100-130 min home).

Me, I'd take the job in order to start getting some experience.

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Specializes in Acute Care of the Elderly.

I'm a prime example to this question. I graduate May 13, 2009. I took a position 1 hour and 15 minutes away because all of the facilities closer have a hiring freeze. I thought a job was better than no job at all:twocents:

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

How badly do you need the money and what kind of condition is your car in? I have two young ones myself and I would not work more than 40 minutes away. At the end of a shift i'm exhausted and there is just no way I could do that! When I first started, there were days where I would still be at the hospital until 8pm. That's more like a 13-14 hour day- I can't imagine driving so far after that. Just my two cents.

Good luck with the job hunt!

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Thanks for all the input :)

I'm hoping on one hand not to get the offer (I actually won't know for a few weeks) so I don't have to decide! Good point about the condition of my car. I have an 05 altima just about 100k miles (yea, I already drive a lot), so a good car, but pretty high mileage. I have one other interview coming up, that is still a long-ish commute, but not as far.

The other thing about this job is the pay pays probably a good $4-6 less than what I could get in the city (in theory), which is another reason I wonder if I should just hold out for the market to turn.

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Well, it depends on how long you can afford not to have the income. I did that kind of commute when I was going to school, and I have to tell you, it put quite a strain on my car. The damage to my car was never recouped. I wasn't in a position to buy a new or even used car when my car gave out prematurely. I was without transportation. If you can wait things out, maybe that would be a better choice.

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When your car gave out, what did you do? Were you able to use public transportation?

I'm not technically unemployed, but I'm not certain of the security of my position, nor is it what I would be making at this particular hospital.

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Specializes in ER.

I took a job 74 miles away starting in July. But the local economy is awful and this was a great oppurtunity

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