Job offer..Is it worth the commute??

missdeevah, NP · Jan 25, 2017

I'm still in school, but it does not seem like it's worth it to me because:

1. You don't like the commute, just from driving there once.

2. They won't tell you how much on-call pay is.

3. I definitely would not drive 100 miles to make $4500 more annually. Maybe...Just maybe if it was $4500 more per month, but even then 100 miles is an out-of-town weekend trip to me.

*Just a humble opinion from an NP student

OllieW, DNP, PhD, NP · Jan 25, 2017

I considered a commute position and I broke it down into hours on the road, cost of gas and wear on the car so over a year it adds up. Just at $50/hr that is $500/week of your time in commute along or $2000 a month. take those funds away from your overall pay and it does not look so great.

Doing the math caused me to decline a commute - plus where I live it snows really bad and that commute and the possibility of getting stuck on one of these rural roads. Its just was not worth it. I decided it would be better to take less money and stay close to home, but a few weeks later I had an offer very close to home I could not pass on. Had I accepted the commute job I would have missed out.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 25, 2017

I drive for my job from clinic to clinic and average 400miles/week. I've been doing this for 10+ years. Believe me, if you don't like to drive I wouldn't do it.

We get paid mileage also which currently is $0.535/mile but I drive 55k/year. Its rural, snowy in the winter and farm implements the rest of the year - lol.

I wouldn't do it unless I liked to drive (which I don't mind) or I needed the money.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 25, 2017

I have commuted but I add the drive time into my hourly rate. My expected commute is a min of 15 minutes each way so I take off 30 minutes from a job with a longer commute and if for example I was making $100 an hour and I'm putting in 9.5 hours to work 8 hours the rate I would need to receive is $118.75 an hour. I don't worry about mileage and wear and tear because the two hours of getting paid $100 an hour to listen to heavy metal music in my car more than covers it.

As for the rate being non-negotiable because you are a new grad unless you absolutely have to take a job to feed your family, or are not going to be a fairly competent provider upon graduation, I'd consider that most likely BS. Not always so don't ever throw something out that you aren't willing to back up by walking but if you are on the fence I'd definitely email them. Something like great meeting you, thank you so much I would love to join your team and learn from your experience however I'm considering an offer closer to home and the additional drive time would make it necessary for me to make XYZ an hour. When tweaking the numbers I prefer to do it via email so they are able to see it, digest it and push some numbers around without just blurting out no as might happen in a phone call.

If you really won't be happy with mornings or the drive don't bother countering because what I can tell you is that if you counter and they make allowances for you and you flake out it will irritate them and your reputation will suffer especially because you obviously knew the commute time prior to taking the interview so really that shouldn't be a consideration if the money works out.

Neuro Guy NP, DNP, PhD, APRN · Jan 25, 2017

I agree, walk.

They should be able to discuss ALL aspects of compensation, especially if the call pay is 'so great'. Also unless those bonuses are WRITTEN into the contract they can always be revoked and thus you'll be making less money potentially AND driving all that distance.

scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2017

Not sure where you live and if weather is a factor, but I would not take a long commute job ever again! BTDT, too much stress, too much money on gas, toll on the car, tolls in general, snow and ice, and just missing a good part of time i could be home with my family (or sitting on my couch!) vs. sitting my car in traffic. I work about 7 miles from home now and LOVE it! I do not miss the alone time in my car at all, but everyone is different, if that is something you value and your way to "de-stress" then it might be for you.

Qing · Jan 25, 2017

Based on reading this, I say that you may regret it. I find that part of salary non negotiable a red flag. You should get back the money and time you spend for commute so unless everything is written in paper, I would not agree to take the job just yet. The extra money is not worth it if you don't like it at the end. Wait it out for another offer and another opportunity will come.

nursebetty24 · Jan 26, 2017

Thanks you! I have 2 years experience and I am planning to respond to them in that manner as a last ditch effort and explain why I won't be able to take the position. This is for a large hospital system so I do not want to hurt my chances down the road.

nursebetty24 · Jan 26, 2017

Yes this describes my concerns exactly scuba nurse ... I have only held traveling NP positions but with a company car and gas reimbursement and made my own schedule for those long distance days. It's definitely different in my own car, paying for gas, and a pretty set schedule.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2017

Commutes are terrible until you get used to them. My drive to work is about 2 hours (home is a little over 1 hour) and, even though I was highly motivated to make the commute, it was terrible at first. Now, it's nothing because the job is so awesome (also, not a morning person but was able to mold myself into one for a year until I could start nights again; again, job is worth it).

That said.....

There seem to be more negatives to this job offer than the commute. The commute seems more like a red herring than anything.

But.....

Full time with benefits is significant. And, gas and car maintenance work themselves out after a while. It's never as bad as it actually ends up in practice. Keep in mind, though, I'm terribly biased and a commute will never stop me from a job I want (also, an hour commute is normal drive time for anyone where I live, so my perspective is quite distorted).

This anonymous poster on the internet thinks you should probably go for it unless you have other irons in the fire. Just keep an open mind about the commute. It's quite bad at first but it gets much less painful over time, especially if you end up really loving this job.

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Jan 26, 2017

I can't speak about the NP part but I have commuted for both school and work for several years. 1 hour is a long time to drive after your shift. I know people who have done it and make it work, but it's challenging. Especially when you have to be there the next day. As soon as I had a chance to work closer to where I live, I took it. I don't love this hospital the same way I loved the other one but my quality of life improved massively when I stopped commuting. Somehow my car made it through without problems. You have to factor the weather in as well.