How far did you travel?

I did a 1 hour 15 min drive for a year and couldn't take it, it wasn't worth it. It's great that you have a place to stay to help out. Would your husband consider moving closer? 12 hour shifts and a long drive on top of it is an accident waiting to happen.

best of luck

I currently drive 70 miles ( about 65-70min) one way to my job. It isn't so bad, sometimes I can even find it relaxing. It can be a little rough if you are tired though. There are many closer hospitals but none have pediatrics which is what I really wanted. However I am not married/with kids so I suppose that makes it easier for me. I am planning on moving closer to the area within the next few months though because I work very random shifts and it wont really work come winter!

I think the commute will be worth it for you if this is something you are really interested in, and it's also a big plus that you have someone to stay with to help cut gas costs! Like the previous poster said, if it turns out to be too much, could you possibly relocate?

Good luck with the new job!

Brittany

10 minutes! Los Angeles is too jammed for me to be able to tolerate an hour drive, plus gas is expensive and I am not accustomed to taking public transportation. So, I am fortunate to live close enough to not have to sit in traffic for hours but far enough to not have to feel as though I live behind work.

I don't know how you do it...

We have no "real" desire to move closer, we love the little town we live in, we have talked about renting an apt. somewhere in-between, that way when I work weekends my husband and son can stay there so I can see them. My son is 4 and has expressed how he doesn't want me away that long, and why can't I just stay home. I grew up on welfare and vowed I would never put my child through that life, and I love nursing, so I know I made the right decisions, I guess I am just needing to know that it will be ok. That I am strong enough for this journey I am going to take. I feel like in some ways that I am letting my son down, like I'm not a good mom. I don't know, I guess I am just confused...anyone else feel like that? thanks for reading my nonsense! and thanks for your input.

Most of my poisitions as a hospital nurse required at the minimum of 45 min to 1 hour 1/2. Nowadays, I live 5 minutes from the building I run, and am LOVING it!!

I live rural and will drive 60 miles one way with minimal traffic. I will do 12 hour shifts so it will be fine! We are considering moving but our mortgage would be 5x as high! (my house was 20,000!) There are no jobs within 15 miles and the close ones pay next to nothing!

LylesMom, you will be okay. And don't ever think as your self as a 'no good mother!' You are working hard to make sure you provide the basic amenities of life for your child, and there is nothing wrong with that! Plus, you work 3-12's right? So, you have 4 full days to spend with your son. Not a lot of mothers have that luxury!! Be proud of yourself

40 mins each way......and its the winter that does me in.......so after 7 months have decided to transfer to their satelite closer to home.....where the commute will be 10 mins:D

is a train an option? I liked taking the train even if it was an hour because it gave me time to read and relax on the way home.

I wish a train would be an option, but living in rural Iowa...no such luck.

I was commuting an hour each way for a year. But with gas prices going up, and a few scares on the road (blinking and opening my eyes WAY further down the road than I should have; having to pull over and take little naps on the side of the highway just to make it home) I wimped out and got myself a little apartment about 10 minutes away from my hospital. Even with the extra rent I'm still saving money with gas. I don't think I'll ever do more than a half hour commute after this just because I am SO tired at the end of my shifts (but then again, I'm a bit of a wuss).

About 20 minutes. I would love to move out to the middle of nowhere but can't stomach the huge cut in pay for gas prices (which I'm certain are just going to go up up up). I'm glad you are able to stay with a friend to cut down on the commuting cost, that will be really helpful. I don't know what to say about your son though, I bet he'll adjust pretty quickly and you'll still spend lots of time with him on the weekend which will be nice. I don't know if I could do it, but I hope it will work out perfectly for you (and it will be nice for your son to have special time with daddy, I think).