Hi everyone. I'm a new nurse. I've always wanted to work in a level I ICU. The hospital I was hired at is 2 hrs from home, and moving really isn't an option for me. I own my home and I don't plan to work at this particular hospital for more than a year or so. I am about to finish orientation. I was hired on weekend nights, but I've been doing orientation during day shift and staying in hotels between shifts due to my long commute. Well, getting hotels for night time is alot easier than getting them for days, due to the late check in and early checkout times. So, I was debating renting and apartment but I hate to pay the enormous amount of money just for somewhere to sleep and shower 2 days a week. My question is, I'm debating getting off work on Saturday and Sunday mornings, crashing in my car for 6 hrs or so. Getting up and going for some food, stretching, then coming back and showing at the hospital and going to work after. This will save me a boatload of cash. I understand it may not be the most comfortable sleeping, but I think it would be manageable and benefit would outweigh the cons. Especially since its basically temporary. Any advice? Has anyone did this? Thank you!
If your only doing 2 shifts a week then surely you could pay for a cheap hotel one night, and then commute home the next day after work. I wouldn’t risk sleeping in my car for many reasons.
If your only doing 2 shifts a week then surely you could pay for a cheap hotel one night, and then commute home the next day after work. I wouldn’t risk sleeping in my car for many reasons.
The OP mentioned that they are working nights, so the sleeping time would be during the day. Most hotels say "check out 10am, check in 3pm" or something, so the rental would be 2 "nights"..
The OP mentioned that they are working nights, so the sleeping time would be during the day. Most hotels say "check out 10am, check in 3pm" or something, so the rental would be 2 "nights"..
Exactly. I’d have to pay for 3 days just sleep for 6-8 hrs and shower on Saturday and Sunday. I shoulda put more thought into this before taking the night shift.
Exactly. I’d have to pay for 3 days just sleep for 6-8 hrs and shower on Saturday and Sunday. I shoulda put more thought into this before taking the night shift.
Look into dayuse.com! it's kind of like hotels.com, except it helps you find rooms near your area that you can stay during the day. Check in depends on what hotel it is, some hotels let you stay between 6-4pm, 8-6pm, etc. I have used dayuse a couple of times for layovers and it is cheaper vs paying for one night
If you can’t get into a rental room situation I’d just call the hotels and find out if you can work out a deal with them to rent a couple days a week. All they can say is no, and you might actually find a place with a nice manager that will work with you. Let them know you’re a nurse busting your behind to take care of all these sick people, I bet you’ll find a sympathetic ear.
Look into dayuse.com! it's kind of like hotels.com, except it helps you find rooms near your area that you can stay during the day. Check in depends on what hotel it is, some hotels let you stay between 6-4pm, 8-6pm, etc. I have used dayuse a couple of times for layovers and it is cheaper vs paying for one night
I’ve used the website HotelsByDay before. I rented a room in a cheap-but-clean place from 10am to 4pm. The price was the same as if it were one night. They typically allow you to do 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, etc.
If a hotel is guaranteed to have that room rented, they will make allowances on check in/check out, rate, amenities. Ask. The guarantee that the room will be occupied on these days for this many months is a big incentive.
This is ABSOLUTELY done in California, where rent is so high. I worked with a surgical scrub tech (both of us are travelers) that told me about heading back to a 2nd assignment at a California hospital (large city) where she would spend the entire 13 weeks living out of her van in the parking garage ROFL! She was very low key about her footprint in the parking garage. The van windows are blacked out with insulation (reflectix) and curtains so that no one can see inside. She is very careful about who is around when she enters/exits the van. Showers are done in the OR locker room showers. She leaves the parking garage on the weekends so she can cook, since food odors coming from the van would be a giveaway. She works all the OT they throw at her and they are overjoyed they have someone who will work all the hours. A year is a bit of a stretch, but if you are careful it might be done.
This is ABSOLUTELY done in California, where rent is so high. I worked with a surgical scrub tech (both of us are travelers) that told me about heading back to a 2nd assignment at a California hospital (large city) where she would spend the entire 13 weeks living out of her van in the parking garage ROFL! She was very low key about her footprint in the parking garage. The van windows are blacked out with insulation (reflectix) and curtains so that no one can see inside. She is very careful about who is around when she enters/exits the van. Showers are done in the OR locker room showers. She leaves the parking garage on the weekends so she can cook, since food odors coming from the van would be a giveaway. She works all the OT they throw at her and they are overjoyed they have someone who will work all the hours. A year is a bit of a stretch, but if you are careful it might be done.
For the price of a parking permit, a student lived out of his (VW) van circa 1970 at UCLA. He showered in a dormitory, probably while "visiting" a classmate, and for some reason seemed to be a legend amongst those who desired less expensive accommodations than the dorms. Through the decades, if it works, don't pan it! If only Henry Ford knew what he started.
I knew a girl in nursing school who lived in a tent in a classmate's back yard and could make use of the facilities (she was clean but always smelled a little funky). Seriously, though, most hospitals maintain on call rooms for bad weather, etc. Won't hurt to ask if yours does.
Having lived out of a car in my younger years (long story) I can tell you its not the best thing for getting quality sleep. I'd do as other suggested and look for a coworker who might have a spare room and need some extra cash.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
Another option: Campgrounds
Van or pop-up trailer can be used to provide sleeping accommodations. Many have showers/laundry facilities and are usually quiet.
For 5 years, lived in pop-up with my Dad for 3 weeks while visiting/traveling New Orleans for Mardi Gras. LA State park , St. Bernard, was only $16/night, other campgrounds $25-35/ night.
America the Beautiful Passes costs $80/yr. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle.
Much safer than sleeping in a hospital garage these days.
USCAmpgrounds.info offers comprehensive guide to Federal, State, Provincial and Local campgrounds
EDNURSE20, BSN
451 Posts
If your only doing 2 shifts a week then surely you could pay for a cheap hotel one night, and then commute home the next day after work. I wouldn’t risk sleeping in my car for many reasons.