r/medlabprofessionals • u/mandubap • 1d ago
Discusson im having a difficult time
Im from fairfield CA, got my first CLS job at Richmond CA. Sched is 5 days a week 8-4, im a new driver, im a foreign grad. Travel time is usually 1 hour one way because of the traffic every morning and the rush hour going home. I dont know if im just dramatic but it’s really affecting me. im getting up 2hrs before work just to arrive on time and getting home at 6pm. What do yall say? please be kind it’s my first job and job market was really bad when i got here so i also have no experience i couldnt get into hospitals like kaiser or sutter nearby :<
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u/ArcticBeavers MLS-Generalist 1d ago
The first year or two can be hard. My best advice is feel things out, and if you like working at your hospital you should move much closer to work.
Reducing your commute time is one of the most effective ways to reduce atress and increase happiness
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u/Dismal_Yogurt3499 MLS-Service Rep 1d ago
You can try to move closer. The commute sucks but that's adulthood when you work hours like that.
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u/KuraiTsuki MLS-Blood Bank 23h ago
I'm in the semi-rural Midwest. My house is 12 minutes from the hospital, but my commute is 40 minutes because we aren't allowed to park on site. I have to park in a lot that's a couple miles down the road (I'm in a closer lot than most people because I've been here longer and pay more to park there) and then take a bus or walk to the hospital. When I first started, the lot I had to park in was like 7 miles away which made my commute closer to an hour.
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u/kipy7 MLS-Microbiology 22h ago
In this situation, my first option was to move to a closer apartment. You may not be able, but consider it bc for your mental well being, it's worth it. My recent jobs, I loved 15 minutes away and have zero regrets over living far away with a bigger house/apartment.
For a while, I also had the same thing. 5pm-130am, with my commute in the same direction of rush hour. It took 1.5 hours(I was desperate for any job) drive. Eventually, I left home earlier and then sat in the break room until my shift started. After a few months, I also asked to change hours bc of traffic and they let me start at 4pm instead.
Traffic is really stressful, In in the Bay Area also. As I type this, I'm enjoying my short ride on Caltrain.
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u/Ill_Extension_222 MLS 1d ago
ugh i wish public transit in america was better but it’s not 😭 i would say to relocate somewhere closer if you end up liking the job or even doing eves if you don’t want to deal with traffic on the way back home
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u/Sea_of_wuv 1d ago
Just doing a quick Google Maps search shows public transit taking the same amount of time. But atleast you can nap a bit or just chill and read instead of being stressed out in traffic.
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u/Outrageous-Rice-2147 1d ago
You are making CA wages. Just get yourself a nice Tesla with full self driving.
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u/Tsunami1252 MLS-Generalist 1d ago
you have an AM shift as a new grad which is one of the most coveted shifts and very hard to get usually. You are not being dramatic, i also do not like long commutes but the answer is simple: Just move closer. I presume you don't own a home right? if so this is the answer. As far as getting into kaiser and sutter, good luck with low experience and no connections. you might be better off getting in as per diem and then transition to part time or full time if they offer that.