I am a new grad RN with only 7 months of experience on a cardiac/ medicine stepdown. I am in the middle of leaving this job in a month to move to back to my home state/city. I just accepted a position at level I trauma & teaching hospital on their SICU unit. Although I am still amazed that I even got the job, but I knew that I rocked the interview when the manager & I got along so well.
The only downside I can see for this job is the 1 hour commute there and back to the big city on major freeways. I am afraid that I wont be able to handle it for a year or more, especially during the winter months where it can get dangerous here in the north to drive.
Anyone handle a commute like that for a year or more? I really don’t want to move closer to the job because I will be living rent free at my parents to save money for grad school.
I drive 45 minutes each way. On busy, city highways. I’ve been doing it for over 5 years. I like my unit though and that’s a big part of why I do it. I could be on a crappy unit 15 minutes away, but why?
I like the time to decompress after a long shift. You learn to find alternate routes in case of accidents or road closures. Waze is a great app.
Almost 20 years as a nurse. I cannot speak for snow but I have driven in hurricanes (we were not always on lock-down). At least 45-60 minutes and up to 50 miles each way. Honestly it gave me time to decompress before getting hounded when I walked in the door at home. I usually worked 12 hour shifts but not always-and 12 hour shifts were usually longer-at one point I made it a point that I preferred to not have more than two shift in a row and would not do more than three-my mind would turn to mush after day three.
Only you can know what kind of transit you can tolerate. I remember my dad always working about an hour from home. Maybe that’s why I never really questioned a longer commute-I just kind of expected it because I never saw anything different growing up.
I've drove over an hour for 2 years and it wasn't too bad. I decided I wasn't going to get upset every day and used the drive to review every day and think about how I could be a better nurse. I would replay emergent events and try to learn from them. I would review meds, diseases etc.
After a NOC shift there were a few times I had to pull over to close my eyes for a bit, and on snowy days I would leave 2 1/2 hrs early so I could drive a safe speed on the icy roads. Snow tires are a must (the cheapest snow tire is better than the best all season radial) and I had a plan to stay at a local hotel if the roads were terrible, which I only did one time.
It can be done, you will give up some free time, and it makes it hard to pick up OT.
I am a new grad RN with only 7 months of experience on a cardiac/ medicine stepdown. I am in the middle of leaving this job in a month to move to back to my home state/city. I just accepted a position at level I trauma & teaching hospital on their SICU unit. Although I am still amazed that I even got the job, but I knew that I rocked the interview when the manager & I got along so well.
The only downside I can see for this job is the 1 hour commute there and back to the big city on major freeways. I am afraid that I wont be able to handle it for a year or more, especially during the winter months where it can get dangerous here in the north to drive.
Anyone handle a commute like that for a year or more? I really don’t want to move closer to the job because I will be living rent free at my parents to save money for grad school.
Any thoughts are appreciated , thank you!
I understand you wanting to stay with your parents and live rent free if you are young...try to find a job closer. 12-hour shifts are no joke and you are going to be sleep deprived to the moon and back if you add a 2-hour commute on top of that...day or night shift.
I worked 15 minutes from my house when I was a newer nurse on night shift. Twice I went off the side of the road coming back home and that didn't count the number of times I was really struggling to stay awake.
Unless you live in the midwest, I would hold out for something closer.
I guess the drive may or may not be bad depending on flow of traffic. A longish commute that is mostly freeway when there's not rush hour traffic to contend with would be no big deal but if there's a lot of traffic in your path that one hour could actually be much longer some days. Still doable though if you become familiar with the area and find all the alternate routes that will get you away from traffic. Back roads and driving through residential neighborhoods might be a lower speed limit but ultimately faster if it avoids high traffic.
I wouldn't worry overmuch about the weather. I've lived in the snow belt for most of my life and weather hasn't been enough of an issue to make the commute impossible with few exceptions. Most winter weather communities are pretty good about keeping roads clear enough for travel in all but the most extreme conditions and even in those extreme weather events the roads to the hospitals are on high priority to be cleared for emergency vehicles. Our area actually has well signed "emergency routes" where no parking at all is allowed and that are kept clear pretty much at all times despite what mother nature throws at us. As long as you are able to navigate to the emergency route the rest of the commute in should be manageable even in bad weather.
Since you already live there I assume you have a decent all season vehicle with good tires, if not I suggest investing in at least good tires. Also always keep a small go bag in the car with enough clothes and supplies for a day or two including a fresh uniform in case you do get stuck at work once you get there. You can also use it if you work consecutive days and don't want to drive back and forth in one of our storms that lasts a few days. Have a plan for either a hotel close by or a co-worker's or friends place you can crash in for a night or two if necessary.
From my experience, long commutes can quickly get exhausting and lead to burnout before you even get to work. I live up north and worked nights. It was a disaster during winter. As someone previously stated, you will probably arrive to work closer to 6-630pm and not leave until about 730am or later. So on top of a 13-14 hr shift, this is rush hour and prime time for accidents etc. My normal commute was 1 hr, but there were few times working nights that I made it under 2 hrs. So that was 4 hours lost on consecutive shifts during SUMMER only. Days are different, and you will probably have slightly better luck with traffic. Not to scare you, as we are different and you could handle the commute just fine, but I agree with others to either rent a place closer for your shifts or find something where the commute is a little easier, for sanity and some sleep lol.
It all depends on perspective.. if it's a really good unit, it may be worth it. Crazy weather can be accounted for- esp if nearby hotel that dives discount for nurse staff. In the end, this is a very personal decision that only you can make. That one hour commute- if you are doing 3 12s is 6 hrs that you do not have with your family. Just keep that trade off in mind.
LovingLife123
1,592 Posts
I drive 45 minutes each way. On busy, city highways. I’ve been doing it for over 5 years. I like my unit though and that’s a big part of why I do it. I could be on a crappy unit 15 minutes away, but why?
I like the time to decompress after a long shift. You learn to find alternate routes in case of accidents or road closures. Waze is a great app.
You honestly get used to it.