How far do you drive for work?

Published

Is an hour drive one way to long to consider for a job? I worry about working 12 hr shifts and then some and then attempting to drive home dead tired.

The closest hospital to me is 20 mins..after that everything is pretty much 45 mins to 1 hour and 30 mins away.

I would like to relocate either before or after nursing school closer to the kansas city area..which would give me a drive time of about 30 mins to a lot of different hospitals and other jobs...but if its normal to travel long distances for a nursing job then maybe its not justifiable to move...my husband likes the area we are in now.

relocating would put us about an hour from our current home.

so..how far do you drive or have driven to get to a job? how do you manage to drive safely after a long tiresome shift?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

remember, its never "just" a 12 hour shift (or rarely). I usually tack on 10 minutes before my shift and at least 20-40min after my shift for report and finishing paperwork.

I work 4 minutes from the house, the commute is bliss!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
remember, its never "just" a 12 hour shift (or rarely). I usually tack on 10 minutes before my shift and at least 20-40min after my shift for report and finishing paperwork.

I work 4 minutes from the house, the commute is bliss!

I understand, thats why I put "a 12hr shift and then some" :)

4 mins would be an amazing commute!! you are lucky!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I drive about 25 minutes each way. I don't mind it at all: it's my time to turn on my music and unwind from the day. Sometimes I'll even take a longer way home just for some extra relaxation time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

10-15 minutes.

As for driving home safely... I snack while i drive. and get a cup of ice water before i leave work. Put the windows down and have the radio on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

You'll get lots of answers and they'll go both ways. I used to commute 1hour 45 minutes. It was brutal and I hated it. If you search the AN archives there are many posts regarding the pros and cons of each. Personally I feel if you have to put the windows down to stay awake you are not safe to drive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I drive three miles... my longest commute was ten miles. The drive time to work is good for listening to the news on the radio. The drive home - lots of loud music and me singing very badly to de-stress!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I'm 10-15minutes away from my current job..in fact all three of my nursing jobs were REALLY close.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care.

My drive is about 10 minutes. Any more than that, and I'm sure I'd lose interest in going...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.

I get on the highway, drive two exits, go down the street and I'm at work! Takes up to 10 minutes, door-to-door, depending on the traffic.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, CM, School Nursing.

I drive about 30 minutes to work. I don't mind it at all, it's all highway driving. I find it to be a good way to unwind after a shift.

Now, when I was doing clinicals for my RN refresher class, I was doing 12 hour shifts, and commuting an hour and 20 minutes each way. That was a nightmare!! Not only was I absolutely exhausted and practically falling asleep by the time I got home. But the drive was mainly winding side roads. It was awful...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I drive one hour each way to work (12 hour shifts) and I hate my commute...especially the long drive home. The worst part? If you want to work consecutive days it means less and less sleep during those days. I'm new...I often finish late...get home after 9:00, eat, shower, unwind, grab some sleep and leave home at 5:30 the next morning.

Also, if I lived closer I might start to sign up for an extra shift or two a month but I haven't done that because of the long commute. I plan to find a way to move closer to work...own my place and I can't sell and pay off the mortgage at this point. If you can eliminate some stressors in your life before you start work as a new grad you will be thankful later on...just my 2 cents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion