How far would you drive to work?

My last job I drove 90 miles each way for 8 years. You would be surprised at what you can do if you decide to do it and know why you are doing it. Good luck with your decision.

I too live in a small rural town. I was able to get a job in the community hospital, 3 miles from home, but I hated it and after a year just couldn't do it anymore. I now drive 72 miles each way to work and LOVE it. Most of my shifts are night shifts and I run errands on my way home in the morning. Nothing is crowded and I get things done quickly. I couldn't be happier with my decision. Good luck!!

Thank you. Where I work now, it takes me an hour to drive to work and it's only 25 miles away, but the traffic on the freeway is horrible, even at night. Where I am looking to relocate, I wouldn't be driving on a busy freeway. My boyfriend doesn't want me to drive, but he lives in a very small town and I told him if he wants me to move there, then he has to accept that I am probaly going to have to drive somewhere to work. And work nights if that is the position that is hiring. I am alert in the morning and I don't think I would have a problem driving home. So thank you for the input:)

I too live some distance from big hospitals..I recently accepted a position where I will drive 48 miles (an hour) one way so I can work a PRN position. The drive is something a lot of people said would be an issue but I will only work 2 shifts/week or 8 shifts/month total at this point so I will suck up the drive to time to have the flexibility. I realize too the stressors of being in a hospital these days but again, I would rather have the flexibility and deal with the stress of a 12 hour shifts once or twice a week then a M-F 8-5 office job.

I drive 60 miles each way. I work at a small community hospital, where I precepted. It's not a bad drive at all. I have time to think and clear my head. Then I pop in a good cd and sing all the way to work. :) Each day as I head to work I drive by 3 different hospitals, one which is only 4minutes from my house, and 2nursing homes! lol I'm a new graduate RN and I love where I am at this time. The people are great, well, most of them. :) It's worth the drive. The biggest issue with being so far away is vehicle maintenance. I have an older car so each pay period I'm doing something for my car to make sure that it can make that journey. Another issue is time managment. When you live that far, it's important that you don't get behind. If I have to work the next shift, then I know that I need to leave on time so that I can get home and get to bed. On days like that I avg about 6 1/2 hours sleep. I HAVE to be organized and ready to give report AT 7am. Those are my only issues. Right now I'm excited about where I am and proud to be a part of that team. They really care about helping me and they really provide educational opportunities for the nurses. We're always taking a class or signed up for Sim labs, etc. It's great! So, it's worth me bypassing those other hospitals to be somewhere where I can be a STAR nurse. :0

I meant STAR nurse. :)

I drive about an hour-ish each way in good weather...however I live in Ohio, so in the winter, it can take me up to 3 hours sometimes:uhoh3: But I think if you're at a great place, the drive can be worth it! Good luck in your decisions!

I've never had to drive more than 10 minutes to any of my nursing jobs. I'm spoiled to that now, so it would have to be a really great job, with incredible pay, and I'd have to be in the position of really needing that extra money to make it worth it to me. But I live in a large city with many large hospitals within 10-30 minutes from my house, so that's how I've gotten so fortunate.

Wow... I'm astonished at how far some of us are commuting... especially at today's gas prices!

I've done up to 90 minutes one-way for a few months, but for over 25 years my average has been 30 or less.

Shortest commute: less than 20.

It depends on your shift length. For me, my limits are:

8s: 45min

12s: 80min

24s: 120min