How far would you drive to go to school?

Saysfaa · Jan 21, 2011

I would not add commuting for a minimum of 3 hours per day at school of travel time to a nursing school scedule when I had a baby at home no matter how supportive my husband was. "Minimum" of 3 hours because clinicals may be further unless that school has a hospital associated with it.

Well, maybe not never... if he was disabled or something and we weren't going to eat or keep the lights on if I didn't provide... then I would if necessary.

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Jan 21, 2011

I would put 110% effort into my remaining classes so I can get those A grades. Have you taken the NLN (PAX) yet?

There's absolutely no way I would drive 3 hours r/t every day, baby or no baby at home.

How many classes (of the 5) have you already completed?

FutureUofARN · Jan 21, 2011

My drive to school is about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.

jdelaney3 · Jan 21, 2011

So far I've taken My math and A&P 1 and am in the middle of micro this semester. I will have to retake A&P 1 because I made an 89 which is not quite good enough. Also, I have to take ENG 101 as a prerequisite even though I have a B in that class from my previous college days many years ago. So I have to retake 2 classes after micro and then take A&P 2. It's very frustrating but I also know that driving so far will really be an extra stress on me and less time with my family. I'm trying to stay positive because I have wanted to be a nurse my entire life. I should add that my family lives in the town where the other school is and I could have a place to go should I have a break in between classes or clinicals.

_firefly, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 21, 2012

At some point the amount of money you are spending on gas would pay for an inexpensive room at someones home near campus for the days you have school. The newborn makes the equation more complicated since you have to figure out who can or would be able to help you out. Maybe you can find some online schooling and avoid the commute altogether?

Maybe your husband would be willing to move close to campus and he ends up taking on the commute.

I'm looking into starting a program that will be either 60 or 90 minutes away depending on which campus I can get into. Either way I'm just going to be renting my place out and getting a cheap room close to campus. Sitting in traffic for an hour or more each way every day is incredibly frustrating and exhausting and I refuse to do it ever again if I can at all avoid it. It is dangerous, expensive, and a huge waste of time. So try to find another solution if possible. Maybe just slow down, take fewer classes, up the GPA, wait out the school near you, and at the same time your kid will be a bit older and easier to get support for in some way.

Sarah812 · Jan 21, 2012

My school is a 10 minute drive. There is no way I would travel over 40 minutes, I do that for work already.

DarkBluePhoenix · Jan 21, 2012

1.5 is pretty crazy. Anything over an hour just isn't worth it. Especially with a baby. All the schools that i am applying to are from 15 mins to an hour away (the ones that are the best are the hour away ones of course.)So honestly you need to choose what is best for you and your family. Either get the best grades possible and get in or go somewhere else. Your really between a rock and a hard place. Try to strive for As and if it doesn't work then it doesn't and you will have to make due. Good luck!

leenak · Jan 21, 2012

So my first choice school is about an hour away and with traffic, it'd probably take me 90 minutes on many days to get there and home. I found out the program is daily, 8am to 5pm. I figured maybe if it was 3 days per week or clinicals were done outside of the city, I could do it.

Is thre anyway your family could move? We ultimately decided we will move if I get in just because the schedule and driving is crazy.