I need advice on how to survive 12-hr shifts!!!

[makunc]

Hi fellow nursing people!!!

I'm finishing up my first year of nursing school, and this summer we have to complete internships working as nursing assistants. I got a job on a med/surg floor at a hospital. I've been scheduled for12 hr shifts 3x (consecutive)/wk. I've done three 12 hr shifts in a row before, but I lived closer to the hospital and usually took the bus to/from work or had to drive for maybe 10-15 mins max. This summer however, I'm commuting, and it may take as long as 35-45 mins to get to/from work.

My question is: how do you manage the commute after 12 hr shifts? I'm getting kind of anxious about it and wanted some tips from other long-distance commuters in similar situations.

Thank you so much!!!!

[MissJLG]

i work 8hr, 12hr and sometime 16 hour shifts, 3-5 days a week. i also have to commute to my job 40 mins. each way and don't really have a problem with it. i guess i am used to the driving since i commuted to nursing school as well, 30 mins. each way. the only thing i can really recommended to 'survive' the commute would be finding something to entertain you on your drive. i take my ipod with me so i have a lot of music to choose from. my car has an adapter to connect it to. sometimes i check out auidiobooks from the library to listen too. also, i like listening to talk radio. if you have any type of smart phone there area lot of apps that you can download with a variety of different radio stations, such as iheart radio app. it has lots of music stations from across the country, talk radio, news, ect. just find some interesting things to listen to on your drive. 35-45 mins isn't too long of a commute. just find some entertaining things to listen to and it will go by fast. after awhile you'll just get used to the driving.

[beatthetrend8168]

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