need advise

[randybayrn]

I'm a new grad with an offer from CHOC in the NICU and UCLA in the MICU. I don't know which one to take. I love both areas. Please give any advice. I posted a long thread regarding this on the MICU SICU forum, but not much advice. I would try and transfer that info to here but don't know how yet, new user.

[Wren]

I am in Texas and so don't know either of these hospitals but as a new grad you will learn more in the MICU. You will also learn a lot in the NICU but it is very specific to that unit and not much else. The MICU will have a broader patient base and skill set.

But it really depends on where you want to be in a few years. If you love the NICU and see yourself there for a long time...that might be a good bet. Good luck!

[nurseangel47]

Go with whichever specialty it is that speaks to your heart. If it is medical surgical experience with intensity, go with MICU. If it is newborn care with intense acuities, do that. Don't waste time on the old adage of gaining basics of medical/surgical first. You can always transfer within the hospital after you've gotten a taste of the unit you prefer when there's an opening in the other unit that you haven't tried. That is what is so awesome about working within a facility such as a large hospital. Options are so unlimited, if you become bored or are unhappy in one specialty, there's another you can request a transfer to later. That's just my opinion.

[jjjoy, LPN]

Except for the "ICU" part of their titles, these two offers are very different. If your main interest is in pediatrics, go with CHOC. Then if you want to change specialties, it will still all be pediatrics. Also, as another stated, NICU is a unique specialty and if that's what you want, go for it. It would probably be more difficult to transfer to NICU from another specialty in the future.

As another stated, MICU would give you exposure to a much wider range of conditions - adult conditions. If you wanted to move within the hospital, you'd have the whole gamut of adult speciaties and one or two pediatric units. If you're looking to travel or do lots of agency work in the future, you'd probably be better served by the MICU experience.

Also, do you have any kind of support system (family, friends, old classmates, etc) in either location? That can be a major factor for some.

There are the practical issues to consider but also your gut level feelings. This will dominate your life for much of the near future. Where do you think you'll want to be spending your time and energy?

Good luck! What a great dilemma to have!