Is UCLA new grad program worth 1-2 hour commute?

[tinatinabobina]

I've read a lot of positive comments about UCLA's new grad program. I live in Orange County kind of near Disneyland. Do you think the program is worth driving 1 to 2 hours on the 405? Day or night shift, I'd still be stuck during rush hour. I also heard their parking structure is expensive and not that convenient. Do you think it's silly to commute so far when there are many OC hospitals much closer? Would you commute through the headache for the better new grad training?

[love-d-OR]

Is there a reason why you cannot move closer? I would not want to drive that much, but I know of one nurse in the pediatrics unit at UCLA that leaves in the OC. She says she really loves UCLA, plus she has workes there so long she would not want to give up her benefits. I also know of an employee that drives from the dessert (dont remeber the exact city, but it is past Temecula). She and her husband work at UCLA. They work the same schedule. They stay at a friends house in west los angeles for the three scheduled days and then head back home.

Its a long a trafficky drive though, have you considered UCI?

[jjjoy, LPN]

For me personally, it would take A LOT for something to be worth that kind of commute. I'd arrive at work already frazzled and hate still having a nasty drive at the end of a long, hard day. And if you were working more than one 12-hr shift in a row, you wouldn't have much time to rest. Everyone's got their own tolerance levels, though. Still, I'd suggest looking more locally and seeing if there aren't any decent new grad programs closer to home.

[insuelin]

it is not worth it. i did my undergrad at ucla and the traffic during rush hour is hellacious.

[towerofpower]

I would definitely NOT do it. Not because of UCLA itself, but you should be able to find a quality place closer to you...at least until you can move closer. It doesn't make good sense to quality of life, environment, etc.

[BeccaznRN, RN]

I went through this dilemma myself when I graduated. I was offered a new grad spot at UCLA that I really, reeeeaaaaly wanted to take.....however, I'm in Ventura County with no hope of moving closer. I opted to find a position closer to home, and I'm so glad I did. Even now I have days where my 20-minute, traffic-free commute is too long after a hard 12-hour shift. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I was coming from L.A. (because we all know how WONDERFUL the 405 and 101 are during rush hour).

IMHO, if you can move closer, UCLA is definitely worth it. But no hospital is worth a commute that will end up being stress-filled and possibly hazardous to your safety.