NEED ADVICE! Which position should I accept?

Nurses New Nurse

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I need some advice. I am a new nurse. I have the ultimate goal of working in pediatrics. I've really, really pushed to get my foot in the door at the hospital in the area that is known for pediatrics there but it's so tough as an associates degree nurse, even though I'm starting my BS in May at a school that is affiliated with the hospital. In the mean time, I've been applying at another hospital. I got all 4 offers that I interviewed for. The cardiac unit, which was my number one choice, does not have the money to hire me right now (or anyone). The other floors are general medicine, orthopedics, and acute stroke and rehab. I've eliminated general medicine...so i am down to ortho and stroke. I'm having the hardest time deciding. I have to tell her my decision today. Which is the best decision for a new nurse?

Orthopedic floor description: 37 beds. Surgical patients include hip and joint replacement, orthopedic trauma, GYN, and some non-ortho and medical patients. (this floor is technically the overflow ICU floor)

Acute Stroke and Rehab: 25 beds. Combined unit that specializes in the care of the acute stroke patient and other neurological disorders as well as focuses on intense, short-term physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy for adult patients. Patient population may include stroke patients, amputees, or de-conditioned patients. (new grads stay on the acute side of the floor)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

The orthopedic floor seems as if you will have a combination of specialties, as well as exposure to high acuity patients, which will broaden your knowledge base; the Acute Rehab has a set pt population; you will be teach and promoting function.

Both are great opportunities; if you desire working in a higher acuity setting then go with the Ortho position.

Best wishes.

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Thank you for your response!

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I think that you don't have enough experience to have a preference, and so you flip a coin, learn as much as you can wherever you are, ... and leave the door open to the teensy-weensy possibility that you might fall in love with it and never get to peds after all. We see that all the time. Good luck, and have fun!

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Coin toss sounds appealing at this point :)

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

Ortho will likely be more stressful and difficult for a new nurse. I would go with the stroke floor for sure.

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You think so? This is not rehab stroke. It's acute "within the golden hour" type of care. There are rehab beds but new nurses don't work on the rehab side. When I shadowed the floor it seemed very intense and busy. That floor and the icu are the only ones that can administer tpa

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I would choose the ortho floor as some of the knowledge can transfer to peds in your skill set. You won't be seeing too many strokes in the pediatric population... I hope. Although there are some neurological problems and skills you may see on the stroke floor that would help with pediatrics, however, the number of those occurring on a typical stroke floor is likely not very high.

You probably won't be seeing too many hip or knee replacements in peds either but to me it seems more relatable to pediatrics with x-rays, treatments, and the like...

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I think that you don't have enough experience to have a preference, and so you flip a coin, learn as much as you can wherever you are, ... and leave the door open to the teensy-weensy possibility that you might fall in love with it and never get to peds after all. We see that all the time. Good luck, and have fun!

I couldn't agree more. Best wishes, Kelly22790! Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

Ortho floor. You will grow so much more as a nurse because of the variety of patients. Most likely you will get medical overflow in addition to surgical patients. It is a harder job, but that should not intimidate you. Use it as a challenge to learn from that experience.

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I would choose the ortho with a little variety floor. Ortho is intense as far as demanding patients in pain but many of them will otherwise be healthy, and very routine. . So you can practice post op and pain mgmt with them while having a small handful of medical patients to learn other important skills and disease mgmt.

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The Ortho floor job sounds best! It has a combination of several specialties as well as high-stress situations. In the future when you eventually try to get a job in Pediatrics (which combines many specialties), I think it wold look good on your resume.

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