by csm99

So I've been offered two jobs. One is a 3 month internship in the CVICU at one hospital. and the other is a 6 month internship that will put me through critical care for the first 3 months, then the last 3 I will be trained for cath lab.

My problem is that I really want to do CVICU at the first hospital, but I keep hearing that doing a cath lab internship is a really sweet deal. Cath lab was not something that I even applied for, I just kind of fell into it. I just want to know, if you do a critical care internship and work in a cath lab, will I be qualified to move to CVICU after awhile? I know it usually goes the other way around...(ICU to cath lab).

What do you think about this for a new grad? I'm just very unsure of what to do...I really want to start out on nights and I know I won't have that flexibility with cath lab. But then again cath lab has no weekends or holidays.

Any input?? I'm open to any advice.

-C

Re: Need opinions/advice for a new grad job...

Cath lab can also have a lot of call. Work in a large hospital with a cardiac emphasis and you will get called in a lot on your call nights/weekends.

Re: Need opinions/advice for a new grad job...

This is true and it is a big hospital. Anyone else have opinions?

Re: Need opinions/advice for a new grad job...

Ask yourself this...on the way home from work, do you think you would be happier if you had just left the CVICU or the cath lab? It sounds as if you may want to eventually get to a CVICU, even if you decided on cath lab first. That tells me you'd rather be in CVICU anyway, so why not start there? You also said you "really want to start on nights" and cath lab doesn't offer that.

Just because it's a "sweet deal" does not mean it's a "sweet deal" for you. The tone of what you wrote indicates to me that you want CVICU more...go with your gut!! (I'm curious, though...only 3 months in CVICU for a new grad???)

Edited to add: Congrats on the offers!!!!

Re: Need opinions/advice for a new grad job...

The cath lab will be there later. Start working nights in the CVICU and learn all the ins and outs of the cardiac patient. Then, if you want a change, seek out a job in the cath lab. I agree that cath lab is a "sweet deal" only if it's sweet to you.

Re: Need opinions/advice for a new grad job...

IMHO, I think the cath lab is rather boring... I'd go with the CVICU spot. Then again, I'm a bit biased as I work in the CVICU

Re: Need opinions/advice for a new grad job...

Thanks so much for the advice! I think I am going to go with my gut and stick with CVICU!