CPU or GI Endoscopy hospital lab job; which is the best choice?

[tltomberlin]

I graduate this Friday w/ my BSN from VSU in GA. I have 2 equally attractive offers on the table...and am vvvvverrrrry torn about which would be the best job and best fit....

1st is the C.P.U (cardio-pulmonary step down from CICU unit)...where u can wor 3 12 hour shifts per wk and pick up an extra day here and there for additional monies as needed...one wknd day per 6 wk rotation is required, and it is floor nursing, with a specialized (mainly heart cath) patient(s), and the ratio is about 3-4 to 1 RN, not too bad. I MAY (not sure yet)...have the option of working nites and wknds (fri-sun) each wk only for $9.00 an hour additional pay, but this shift is not guaranteed at this point!

Then there is the GI Lab in the hospital...M-F, 7:30a-4p.....with fairly regular call from 12 midnight to 6 am....maybe once every other wk or so, depending on need and luck of the draw...u are paid time and a half when u are called in and an additional $2.50 an hour just for wearing a pager, and being on call even if they don't call u...u are on call some wknd days....it rotates....It is a very procedural job, but the equipment is quite sophisticated and a bit intimidating for a new grad nurse....u work very closely w the physicians, some of which I am warned, have rather difficult personalities and behaviors towards the nurses...occasionally, not always, etc....it is specialized, but u may have to do peg tubes occasionally, an ERCPs, colonoscopies, endoscopies, bronchoscopies, etc. are all part of the routine job description/procedures performed daily there.

I am absolutely terrified that I am going to make the "wrong" choice and HATE my job, yet be stuck there for 6 mons to a yr or more, depending on transfer availability, etc....Which is the generally preferred or more prestigious position, all things, hours, call, shift-diff, etc. considered?? And, if given the choice, what would you choose??

[brownbook]

My quick, gut feeling, first answer, is the CPU, I think it will give you a wider variety of experiences and learning situations. I think it is a harder, more specialized, sicker patients, area to deal with. I think if you get good CPU skills under you belt after a year you will have a lot to offer looking for any other type of nursing.

Having only GI nursing experience is a little more too limiting.

What I'm trying to say is CPU skills will open more doors in the future and you could easily move into GI nursing. If you only had GI nursing skills it wouldn't be as easy to transfer into other nursing areas.

[Biffbradford]

Agreed. Right out of school you need a broad spectrum of experiences to learn from. You think you've learned alot in school, which you have, but really, you know jack squat. :)