ED or ICU

Specialties Emergency

Published

I know the question of ICU vs ED has been asked on here a lot. I am seeking a little more personal advice. I graduated with my ADN 6 months ago and will finish my BSN at the end of this year. I have been working on a surgical unit since I graduated. I have interviews this week for ED and float pool (which, in our hospital, includes ICU and is often a stepping stone to an ICU position). I would appreciate any experienced nurse's opinions about which would be better for me.

Here is a bit about me:

I got into nursing for the science of it. I love to learn. I do enjoy a fast pace, but I equally enjoy a narrow focus on a complex case. I enjoy performing skills. I plan on starting work on my DNP next year. I like to have a fair amount of autonomy in my work. I am a quuck thinker and quick learner. It seems to me I have interests that pull me toward both directions. Also, the ED position requires a 2 year commitment.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I know the question of ICU vs ED has been asked on here a lot. I am seeking a little more personal advice. I graduated with my ADN 6 months ago and will finish my BSN at the end of this year. I have been working on a surgical unit since I graduated. I have interviews this week for ED and float pool (which, in our hospital, includes ICU and is often a stepping stone to an ICU position). I would appreciate any experienced nurse's opinions about which would be better for me.

Here is a bit about me:

I got into nursing for the science of it. I love to learn. I do enjoy a fast pace, but I equally enjoy a narrow focus on a complex case. I enjoy performing skills. I plan on starting work on my DNP next year. I like to have a fair amount of autonomy in my work. I am a quuck thinker and quick learner. It seems to me I have interests that pull me toward both directions. Also, the ED position requires a 2 year commitment.

ADD = ED

OCD = ICU

Which one are you? :D

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Sadly, both

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Specializes in Ambulatory Case Management, Clinic, Psychiatry.

What kind of a DNP is your long term goal? family practice? ed? critical care? management?

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Look at your home. Is; A) everything in it's place, neat and tidy? Or B) functional but messy? A)=ICU B)=ED

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Specializes in Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula.
Look at your home. Is; A) everything in it's place, neat and tidy? Or B) functional but messy? A)=ICU B)=ED

OMG I love this. I'm orienting to the ED soon and this is... validating. :laugh:

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Specializes in ICU.
Look at your home. Is; A) everything in it's place, neat and tidy? Or B) functional but messy? A)=ICU B)=ED

How about messy to the point it's nonfunctional? xD

I can keep an organized work space, but not an organized house. I keep telling my fiance that we seriously need to invest in a housekeeper because neither of us can keep things clean to save our lives, and we are constantly losing things.

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How about messy to the point it's nonfunctional? xD

I can keep an organized work space, but not an organized house. I keep telling my fiance that we seriously need to invest in a housekeeper because neither of us can keep things clean to save our lives, and we are constantly losing things.

That is me to a T.

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What kind of a DNP is your long term goal? family practice? ed? critical care? management?

I don't know, except for not management. I was in restaurant management before I became a nurse. I was good at it, bit it wasn't rewarding the same way clinical practice is. I am hoping that as I complete my clinical rotations for NP school, I will find my calling.

I ended up accepting the float pool position that will likely transition to a full time ICU position.

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Specializes in Critical care.

If you like focused cases with autonomy, then ICU. If you like task based nursing with rapid turnover, ER.

Cheers

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I ended up accepting the float pool position that will likely transition to a full time ICU position.

Congrats! I think that's great. Anything that comes with a time commitment/stipulation makes me pause anyway. I don't tend to be a job hopper at all (I am usually a 5+ years in place person), but still — I like to know I have the option if it's not a good fit!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Why does one have to be 'best' over the other? Either one will net you a good bit of important experience. Open yourself to learning about yourself as you learn more about nursing. Then you won't have to ask questions like this of total strangers. And be amenable to a change in direction, too. Time has a way of leading us down different pathways of life that we never looked toward or expected. I don't know a soul who has had life follow their plans all the way down the line.

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