Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

albatross — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:13:16 GMT

I currently work part time nights in a TP 100 miles from home, and if working one night I travel up and back. It takes between 1 1/2 and 2 hours. I do tend to get a bit tired about 3/4 of the way back and have to really concentrate, rather than allow the mind to drift over happenings during the night (the adrenaline rush has gone by then so I become rather tired and bored of driving, especially in queues).

I have just had an interview for a trainee position (yeehar, my second one this year), and that job is 89 miles from home, but I loved the place so if I get an offer, I'm pretty certain I'll go for it.

I have friends in the area I stay with when working multiple nights (up to 4in a row). I also slept in the car twice (well it is a mondeo estate), but not something I'd do at night time. I have also stayed in b&b but being outer London these are hard to find (and often expensive) as they get block booked by workers well in advance. However I found a lovely basic friendly one for the same price as petrol back home (so less hassle, less hours away from a bed). Do lots of research via the net for these places.

Have a look in the local area for renting, b&b, campsites (static and tents). Also if you got the job ask in the practice if anyone could put you up on occasions - offer to cook/pay for the evening meal in return...

you could always ask on this site in case any of us live near your job (but if it's me, I'll fight you for the job first....), and can put you up or suggest reliable places to stay.

So in answer to your question, needs must, no-one locally replies to my job applications let alone offers me an interview, so I am gradually looking further away from home, but I wouldn't travel 5 days a week, I'd end up in a big accident (and I'm 47 and a very safe driver....) because I'd get so tired. And these jobs are like gold dust so if you can get into one, give it a go (but take it easy and be sensible about the journeys).

Other things to consider are what needs to be done at home - housework, looking after animals, other family members etc.....my "part time" nights have been almost full time this year (giving me a good idea of what a full time position would be like, after not working full time away from home since 2001), and the house is a TIP!!

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

albatross — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:13:16 GMT

you could always ask on this site in case any of us live near your job (but if it's me, I'll fight you for the job first....), and can put you up or suggest reliable places to stay.

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

Fleabee99 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:29:59 GMT

hey just an honest opinion, ive just finished an interview process for a practice that was 1h 30mins away from me and i WAS looking at moving there, trust me its not a good idea if your just going to travel, i have a little peugeot 106 and it still cost a fortune for just a few days during interviewing, if you dont mind driving might be worth asking for a petrol allowance if your a very valuable candidate for the job but otherwise id look closer to home, or consider moving there as its a long slog speshly on an evening when you want to get home

hope this helps and good luck whatever your choose to do

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

Vicky RVN — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:18:23 GMT

I have to say i agree with others that i wouldn't want to travel this far, i'd end up feeling far too tired to do portfolio in the evenings so would have to do it all on days off, leaving you no free time. I'm 10-15 min away from work, love being so close!

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:44:52 GMT

I would have to agree with previous post. I currently live 25 miles from work and can take between 45 mins to 1hr 30mins to get to work by car. Currently my car is off the road and am on public transport which means around 2hrs taveling each way. Currently do 9hrs per day which increases to 13hrs out of my house inc my traveling. Luckily this is not long term, but you must bear these things in mind.

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

loobylou — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:26:49 GMT

Agree with the points already made but just wanted to add that for me personally, that would be too far to travel every day. I was travelling just 25mins to my last job and I ended up hating it and left my job! That would add on a huge amount to your working day and may be too much woth your training and portfolio. Obviously You have to think very hard about taking the job as training positions are hard to come by, maybe ask if there is any accommodation.

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

hissycat — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:51:41 GMT

Sorry, Just saw Faye got in there first and raised much the same points!

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

hissycat — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:49:46 GMT

Thats quite a distance! do you drive? I currently have to drive anywhere from 45mins to an hour to get to work, and though I enjoy driving it takes a big chunk out of the day. (aswell as the huge chunk taken by the actual job ) Is that the most time it would take taking into account traffic? You'd be looking at 3 and a half hours a day travelling. With an 8 hour shift (if you're lucky) thats 11 and a half hours out of every day. And then you have to study and complete portfolio. It would be very hard. Is there absolutely no way you could move a bit closer if you get it? Do they have accomodation you could use maybe some of the time? Having said all that trainee positions are hard to come by so if they offer it to you I suppose it would be hard to say no! I would say you'll be pretty knackered though! Do you know what the shifts are like? Also take into account costs. You'd spend half of what you earn (prob minimum wage) getting there.

Re: Trainee nurse interview - is practice too far away?

Faye Sewell — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:47:01 GMT

Hiya

Firstly congratulations!. You need to think about how much 1hr 45mins will add to your working day? Can you cope with all the driving?, is that time allowing for traffic jams etc?, do you have to work OOH?, if so is just on standby?. Also you need to think about the cost of petrol?. Do you work only a few hours on certain days ie weekends? ie will it take you just as long to get to work? for example I work 1 in 6 Sundays for 1hr!

I currently have a 30-45min drive and find that bad enough some days!

Lots to think about, hope I havent put you off!?