How far do you drive for work?

Nurses General Nursing

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?

Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

15mins depending on traffic. For my safety and safety of others I can't live more than 30mins away especially after night shift. It's too dangerous. I would never risk it. I would have to take a nap before driving home. Thank God I don't have to get on the highway. That just spells disaster for me.

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I drive 30 miles each way :( but I haven't applied to other places because I love it there :)

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thank you for all the responses!

It would be all highway miles for me..if i stay in the same location. I do struggle to stay awake if im tired and driving..i find myself having to use cold air..loud radio to keep me going...which I dont like.

Im not sure i would do well at all driving an hour after a 12 plus hour shift... so im really hoping that my hubby will agree to move closer.

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Specializes in NICU.

10 minutes each way. 12 if I hit lights. It's amazing and yes, I work in a major medical center, not a small community hospital.

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Specializes in FNP.

6.1 miles, 8 minutes by car, 25 by bike. It's the only reason I stay, lol. I prefer to ri my bike in good weather, so 10 miles would be my max.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

About 45 minutes to 1 hr each way depending on traffic. Its a big hospital system, and I am at the mothership. I think after I am there for a couple of years I will put in for a transfer to one of their smaller hospitals which is literally an intersection from me. I think it will take me 10 minutes if that from door to door. Can't wait!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

In my old job, I used to drive up to 1.5 hours each way, so it was a very long day. For am shifts, I used to get up at about 4.30 am to get to work a bit earlier 4 handover, & find a good parking spot. Late/early shifts were horrible. I won't do them again, I'm too old now. I used to get huge cups of coffee 2 drinks b4 driving home as well. My job now is on the other side of the city, but on the freeway it's about 40-50 minutes. I've always travelled for work so I think 1 hour is not bad. U need to weigh up the cost of petrol, moving costs, & whether ur job is permanent or not, also u will have to leave extra time to get to work & get parking, pay 4 it, also if u have children and cost of childcare. Also driving in the car gives me time 2 think about things, so it's not so bad sometimes & I listen to music as well. However if u do get burned out from driving, it may be worthwhile moving, maybe u could just rent somewhere for one year & see how that goes.

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You really have to consider your safety to begin with. 12 hour shifts can be longer because things can change with a patient at change of shift unfortunately. However, safety first above all. I have driven a hour and a half and as short as five minutes. The long commute was a killer on my body and family to tell you the truth and not worth it.

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

It takes me about 10 minutes to drive to work, and I love my short commute.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

it can take 45 minutes to well over an hour depending upon traffic. i actually don't mind the drive. i talk to my mother on the phone (with a bluetooth headset!) during the drive, and that makes it go by quickly. mom has alzheimer's, but most of the time her sense of humor is intact so i usually arrive at the end of my commute in a good mood from laughing.

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Specializes in L&D, High Risk Antepartum, Pediatrics.

I'm jealous of the commute some of you guys have!

My case is 52 miles away from my home. The commute is at least 55 minutes, that's during the weekends when there is absolutely no traffic. During the week it takes between 1hr and 15 minutes- 1 hr and 30 minutes. I hate it with a passion! I sometimes have to park my car and sleep before continuing on to keep from getting in an accident.

Latrice

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

My commute is 3.1 miles according to Google Maps. I basically go down 1 big hill and up another. It's 15 minutes by car, 30 minutes by bike.

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