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

Perfecto! Voy a hacerlo tambien! My last Spanish class was more than 20 years ago. This is such a good idea!

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Perfecto! Voy a hacerlo tambien! My last Spanish class was more than 20 years ago. This is such a good idea!

If you need help, just ask :p

I'm from Spain!

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

Wow! I think I will actually look that up. The area that I will be working in is predominantly spanish speaking and I know very little.

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

All things being equal as in time alone or quality of the facilities? If time was not a factor this hospital would be my first choice.

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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.

I agree. I see myself at this facility for years to come. After researching I think I will probably buy my house closer to the area. As for now I will be commuting. Apartments in that area are very experience but if the drive becomes too taxing I will have to rent down there out of convenience.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
All things being equal as in time alone or quality of the facilities? If time was not a factor this hospital would be my first choice.

By eliminating the time factor, it appears that facility would be the winner. Is 'time' that much critical to your decision-making process? Is it out-weighing all the other positive benefits of working there? I mean ALL the other positive benefits? If you remove that time factor, it seems like there is NOTHING to hinder you from accepting that job.

I remember a survey that identified a 1 hour commute as totally acceptable to the average US employee. My commute was 30 miles over 1 hour. That drive-to hour allowed me to plan ahead about things I wanted to follow up/check out. That drive-home hour allowed me time to de-compress and calmly re-think how my shift unfolded (with NO bells, NO alarms, NO phones, etc to distract me). And on my way home, I would take alternate routes (weather permitting) just to learn the countryside in case I needed to detour with panic.

And I learned some Spanish!

Just make sure you pee before you leave. Good luck.

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By eliminating the time factor, it appears that facility would be the winner. Is 'time' that much critical to your decision-making process? Is it out-weighing all the other positive benefits of working there? I mean ALL the other positive benefits? If you remove that time factor, it seems like there is NOTHING to hinder you from accepting that job.

I remember a survey that identified a 1 hour commute as totally acceptable to the average US employee. My commute was 30 miles over 1 hour. That drive-to hour allowed me to plan ahead about things I wanted to follow up/check out. That drive-home hour allowed me time to de-compress and calmly re-think how my shift unfolded (with NO bells, NO alarms, NO phones, etc to distract me). And on my way home, I would take alternate routes (weather permitting) just to learn the countryside in case I needed to detour with panic.

And I learned some Spanish!

Just make sure you pee before you leave. Good luck.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!! I think I will enjoy the time to myself. Hopefully Iearn some more spanish as well. I like that part about remembering to pee haha [emoji6]. I asked this question because when I told many coworkers what I was doing some weren't supportive because they thought I was crazy to be driving so far. I wanted to know what the consensus would be on allnurses.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, Care Management.

My commute is anywhere from 55 min to 1h and 15min depending on traffic. It's worth it to me, I love my job and there are no opportunities like it closer to my house.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I commute far distances on some days and not so far on other days, but in general, I drive a lot to get to and from my job. I enjoy the time because I use it to listen to audiobooks, my favorite music, catch up on the news and talk with friends and family on the phone (hands free, of course!). I'm not incredibly happy about the mileage on my car, but have no other real complaints. I should add here, though, that I get paid my regular hourly rate while I'm driving, plus I get mileage pay. So....there's that.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I see a typo I made - should have been 'to detour WITHOUT panic'.

I understand your coworkers - change is 'unknown' and can be uncertain for some. Like the 'devil you know and the devil you don't know' dilemma. They could also be a bit envious but reluctant to take the step to move on as you are doing.

And BTW, now's not too bad a time to be driving a little longer - GAS IS CHEAPER than ever in a looong time. :cheeky:

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I commute far distances on some days and not so far on other days, but in general, I drive a lot to get to and from my job. I enjoy the time because I use it to listen to audiobooks, my favorite music, catch up on the news and talk with friends and family on the phone (hands free, of course!). I'm not incredibly happy about the mileage on my car, but have no other real complaints. I should add here, though, that I get paid my regular hourly rate while I'm driving, plus I get mileage pay. So....there's that.

That sounds nice!! The mileage on my car is sky high too thanks to working home health previously. It's a Honda tho so I have many miles to go. I remember complaining to a friend and they said "Well what did you get a car for if not to drive it". :-)

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