How far would you drive to work?

Published

How far would you drive to work? I am planning on moving to a small rural area which is an hour away from bigger cities. Hopefully, I can get hired on at the rural hospital in the town, but if I am not able to, then I will have to drive 74 miles in either direction to work at a hospital? Are there any of you that do the same? I will also be working night shift, most likely. Thank you for the input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

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!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I meant STAR nurse. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

It would depend on your needs and do the benefits outweigh any negatives. One of my favourite jobs was 60 miles one way and depending on the time of day could be as long as 3 hours in traffic on the most hated highway I have EVER spent time on......:uhoh3: But...... The pay commiserated the pain AND I really loved the job. I would call my parents when sitting in traffic and I would clean my car. I had a dustbuster and wipes and a swifter thingy. I have been known to get out and clean my windows.....:lol2:. My car has never been that clean since. I worked 12 hour nights to minimize my time on the road and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.....for the right job.:heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

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!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I never minded a 60-90 mile drive but the issue now is the price of gas. :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion