How far would you commute to an OB job?

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I have been working in the OR for 2 years and just got an offer from an OB unit I interviewed for an hour away from where I live. My plan is to commute since it is only 3 days a week.

I'm really excited about this unit since I will be taking care of postpartum, nursery, L&D, gyn surgery patients, and be trained as a first assist. It is a small community hospital in a brand new building with a wonderful mission, vision, and core principals.

How far is too far to travel for your dream job?

Additionally, I will be taking a $4/hr pay cut. AND the job is offered as part-time until approval comes through for a full time position.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Depends...day shift or night shift? If it's nights, the longest I would consider is 30 minutes. Any more than that and it's not safe for me or other people on the road.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

With the additional information you added.. I wouldn't take it. 4.00 less is a lot when you account for the mileage and increased gas prices.

I do drive an hour for my job but the pay is 4.00 more than my previous job not counting shift diff. It is also a full time position with better benefits etc.

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Dream job- I would do it.

I couldn't do it if it were nights, not a night shift person. That commute would literally kill me.

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Specializes in Peds.

I work with a few people who have to commute an hour to work, and they are night shifters. If it's your dream job, do it. You're right it's only 3 days per week. I commute 30-45 minutes to work and it's worth it. You cannot pay me enough to do a job I hate... go with what you want to do. Then maybe in the future you can find the same job that's a closer commute once you gain some experience in that area.

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I commute 1 he each way in traffic and its a nightmare. I wouldn't.

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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Several of my coworkers commute an hour or more to work. They make it work out. I wouldn't do that; my drive is 10-15 minutes. You need to figure out how the flow of traffic is around your shifts and if you can tolerate the drive when you are tired. Additionally, consider its a pay cut with more expense for gas. If you decide the cost in time and pay is worth it, then go for it. But it might be worth it to wait for a position closer to home.

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I commute 2hrs+ each way for my dream job and i couldn't be happier!

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Specializes in Med Surg.

It really depends upon how much a commute would bother you. I have only had very short stints of time where I didn't commute 45 min to 1 1/2 h to get to work. Now I'm in school, AGAIN, and I commute for that. I've never really thought about it. It's something that just doesn't bother me. Gives me a chance to unwind.

I know some people, though, who would be annoyed at a commute of ten or fifteen minutes. So it just depends on your own tolerance.

Also, I doubt that gas is going anywhere but up. So you have to factor whether or not the economics of it will work for you.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I commuted 3.5 hrs each way (obviously with mid-rotation stay-overs) for a job that was way less than a dream job.

My commute now, including the long walk from parking into the building, ranges from 30-60 mins which I find very reasonable.

The pay cut... that's significant.

If you really, really want to be an ob/ld nurse, you should probably bite the bullet and go for it... specialties are hard to break in to.

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I commute 2 1/2 hours, stay over 3 nights, and drive back home. It's not bad at all...and totally worth it! Why be miserable when you can be happy?

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