4 Reasons to Ditch Your Drive to Work for Nurses

We all know how brutal shifts can be for nurses. Every extra minute of sleep feels like a gift from the universe. So, driving seems like the obvious choice to commute to work in order to maximize our rest in between shifts. What if I told you that driving to work is draining your wallet? That’s right, that commute to work could be costing you more than you realize. In this post, I’m going to cover why driving to work is costing you serious cash and what you can do instead to save money, without sacrificing your comfort.

Key Takeaways

Cost Savings: Driving to work can be expensive, with costs for gas and parking adding up to $6,000 a year. Investing this amount could yield substantial returns over time, such as $115,000 in 10 years with an average S&P 500 return.

Alternative Commuting Options: Consider public transportation, carpooling, or biking/walking to save money. Public transit and carpooling can significantly reduce your expenses, while biking or walking is free and provides a workout.

Additional Benefits: Not driving can offer extra “me time” for reading, listening to podcasts, or relaxing. Evaluate your commuting options based on safety, distance, and weather to find the best solution for your situation.

The Financial Toll of Driving to Work

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Consumer Survey says Americans spend an average of $3,120 a year on gas. That comes out to an average of $260 per month on gas. Now, if you’re working at a hospital, there’s a good chance you’re also paying for parking. Take my situation in Seattle, for example: parking at the hospital costs $20 a day. If I drive to work three times a week, between gas and parking, I’m shelling out around $500 a month to get to work. That’s six thousand dollars a yeaImagine what that money could do if you invested it instead. For example, if you invest $6,000 a year in the S&P 500, which has a 12% average return over 10 years, you’d have about $115,000 in ten years. And that’s just from not driving to work. Plus, those parking fees often get deducted from our paychecks. So, we barely notice the money slipping away. Sneaky, right?

Despite these shocking numbers, most nurses are still driving to work. But there are alternatives that could save you some serious cash, and maybe even make your commute more enjoyable.

1. Public Transportation

You may not love public transport, but it’s a good alternative to driving. For one, it’s WAY cheaper. In Seattle, a one-way trip on public transit costs about $3. If I did this three times a week, that would only cost me $72 a month. Compare that to the $500 I would be spending on gas and parking—public transit is the easy choice. On top of that, many hospital systems offer free or subsidized public transit programs for their employees, saving you even more!

And let’s not forget the extra steps you’ll get in while walking to and from your stop.

2. Carpooling

Sure, this is technically still driving to work, but it’s driving smarter. Teaming up with coworkers on the same shift as you lets you split the cost of gas and parking, cutting your costs significantly. Not to mention, it would decrease your carbon footprint.

Many hospitals, especially in larger cities, offer carpooling programs where they provide the car and even cover the gas. Many hospitals offer free or discounted rates for carpooling. That alone might make you think twice about driving solo to work.

3. Walking/Bike Riding

If you’re lucky to live closer to work, biking or walking could be the ultimate, money-saving commute. It’s completely free and you’ll get a nice workout in before your shift. There’s nothing like a brisk walk to get your blood flowing and clear your head before starting a busy day.

4. “Me Time”

While there are many cost benefits to not driving to work, it’s important to consider my other favorite benefit of not being behind the wheel: “Me time.” Not driving to work gives you an opportunity to enjoy other things during your commute. You can use this time to read a book, watch a show, or listen to that podcast you’ve been meaning to. And you can do it without the stress of driving in rush hour traffic. This can turn wasted time into a chance for learning, self-care, or time to unwind before or after a busy shift.

Driving Makes Sense If…

Of course, these options depend on a few factors. Safety is key—if your hospital is in an unsafe area, it might not be smart to walk or take public transit. The same goes for distance. If your commute would take you two hours, that’s not exactly practical. And let’s not forget the weather—biking or walking in any kind of storm isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. Your safety should always be the number one priority.

Bottom Line

Rethinking your commute could save you tons and even improve your health. The costs of gas and parking can sneak up on you, adding up in a big way over time. Don’t sell yourself short. Use the hospital or employer programs for free or discounted commutes. Consider alternatives to driving to work. The amount you can save might surprise you!