Job satisfaction: OR or ICU?

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in med-surg, OR.

Hi, so I am wondering which path to take in regards to further education, I am tired of floor nursing I want to work in an area with: "no call bells" and would like to focus on one patient at a time. I know that I would like to work in either the OR or ICU. I liked ICU as a student a lot, but now I worry about emotional burnout. I am already burning out on the floor. But I think that is related to having to prioritize with our time constraints, and not being able to give the very best care that I would like to. I also like the challenge of sick patients, but the intricate work of surgery seems pretty cool.

The OR tends to have better hours which are family friendly, but I am worried about boredom. I also hear stories of nurses been treated badly in the OR. I really don't need to be abused at work. But then again, nurses get the brunt of it from other people on the floor as well.

From expereince, which areas are most nurses satisfied working in for the long haul? Anyone do both and have a preference?

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