I'm I crazy?

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After working one year in a toxic environment I decided that I had to leave that hospital. I applied and got a call back from all of the hospitals I applied to within 2 weeks. It's crazy to think how valuable just 1 year can be to employers. For me I still feel brand new some days. It took me one year out of my ADN program to find a hospital job.

Here's the question tho: the job I accepted is 45 mins of highway driving on a good day. It is literally the highest ranked hospital in my area. I will be driving past other good hospitals to go there. The pay is higher and the benefits are great but it is a distance. So I'm I crazy?

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

There are bumper stickers that read "I'd rather be... (golfing, fishing, scuba diving, etc, etc.)" which says to me, "I'd rather be doing something different now than what I'm doing, which is driving to work".

Well, sure- I'd rather be bicycling, doing art, relaxing on the beach, making love to my wife, or a host of other things than driving to work. But, in order to do those things I like to do, I do the things I have to do. And driving to, and working, are those things I have to do in order to do the things I like to do.

A poster back in the 70's said "Bloom where you're planted". A similar concept says "Be into the aesthetics of the transitory" which is, basically, making the most of the moment. And this moment is all any of us have.

My drive to and from work is approximately 45 minutes each way and I do a host of things that are both entertaining and relaxing. For example, I listen almost entirely to Classical music, predominately Bach, while doing art or driving. Classical music allows me to, as Henry David Thoreau said, "Listen to the music of the spheres". Thoreau also related to nothing being so companionable as solitude.

My drive to and from work is my time for me to key up or wind down. As in important things like going to sleep, working as a Nurse, being in a relationship, etc., nothing else in the world is more important than what I'm doing at that moment.

So, I nearly always I enjoy my 45 minute drives.

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My drive is 30 minutes, and I love the time to listen to music and either pull my head together on the way to work, or wind down and relax on the way home :)

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Man and I just started taking classes for my BSN too. Guess I'm going to need a lot of help. [emoji16] You should help me

Lol, and you did it twice-in your thread title, and in the post itself.

I've made some really weird typos before as well.

I like to listen to music on long drives, but also to audiobooks I purchase on my i-phone.

When I was a student, I'd make study "tapes," going over notes and quizzing myself. A 45 minute drive can also help you get ready mentally for the job before you get there.

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Specializes in Neurology.

I commute an hour and fifteen minutes (on the subway). I like it. I read or listen to music. It's my moment of piece and there is no cell service, so no one can reach me.

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Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, Infection, Home Health, and LTC.
After working one year in a toxic environment I decided that I had to leave that hospital. I applied and got a call back from all of the hospitals I applied to within 2 weeks. It's crazy to think how valuable just 1 year can be to employers. For me I still feel brand new some days. It took me one year out of my ADN program to find a hospital job.

Here's the question tho: the job I accepted is 45 mins of highway driving on a good day. It is literally the highest ranked hospital in my area. I will be driving past other good hospitals to go there. The pay is higher and the benefits are great but it is a distance. So I'm I crazy?

yes. you are. IMHO ;)

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No, you are not crazy.

Enjoy your new job and good luck!

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After working one year in a toxic environment I decided that I had to leave that hospital. I applied and got a call back from all of the hospitals I applied to within 2 weeks. It's crazy to think how valuable just 1 year can be to employers. For me I still feel brand new some days. It took me one year out of my ADN program to find a hospital job.

Here's the question tho: the job I accepted is 45 mins of highway driving on a good day. It is literally the highest ranked hospital in my area. I will be driving past other good hospitals to go there. The pay is higher and the benefits are great but it is a distance. So I'm I crazy?

For me the commute adds insult to injury. I am spending additional time and effort getting to a strenuous job. The commute home can be downright dangerous after a 12 hour shift when exhausted from a very long nurse's day . Inclement weather makes the commute even worse.

Previous posters have said they use that time to listen to music and relax. More power to them, I can never relax behind the wheel.. too many idiots and texters to look out for.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

If all things were equal and the drive time was NOT a factor, what would be your decision?

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Specializes in Cardiac, Transplant, Intermediate Care.

45 minutes is perfect for; having a coffee, listen to the news, listen to a funny radio show, listen to your favorite music or a book on tape. Coming home, 45 minutes is enough time to do more of the same and decompress.

You are not crazy. It sounds as though you will be working at a nice place that will treat you well. All the best to you!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

On my 1 hour drive, I listened to Learn to Speak Spanish tutorial tapes (meant for learning while driving).

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I commute an hour and fifteen minutes (on the subway). I like it. I read or listen to music. It's my moment of piece and there is no cell service, so no one can reach me.

For this I might actually go out of my way for the commuter job. 2 1/2 hrs of me time (not behind the wheel) would be heaven. I'd read, listen to books and knit, study, draw....the possibilities are endless. :)

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Specializes in ICU.

As a young nurse you need to build your resume now by establishing a solid employment history at academic medical centers and Level 1 trauma centers.

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