Hi all, I am mostly a lurker here on this site and now am in need of some advice. I will be graduating from nursing school in 2 weeks and have been offered two different ICU positions. My goal is to get 3 years of experience and then go on to CRNA school so I would like to make myself the most attractive candidate possible.
Choice 1. A 28 bed ICU which does medical,surgical,cardio and neuro. They are a level 2 trauma center and from my shadow days there, every other patient was on a vent and there was what looked to be very high levels of acuity. The orientation is 12 weeks long, but I have been told that extending that if needed is not a problem. I have been offered a day time position as well if that makes any difference. The unit is a brand new unit, meaning around two weeks old by my start date, and uses computer charting. The hospital does not have a great reputation as a whole, let me preface that I did do 1 year of clinicals on the telemetry floor and learned a ton but the nurses were pretty frazzled. My time in the ICU showed it to be so much different, the nurses worked as a team and were pretty upbeat and positive.
Choice 2. An 18 bed Neuro/Surgical ICU at a level 1 trauma center, the manager says that they also recieve the majority of the traumas on their unit. So you just don't get the Medicals and the cardiovascular per say unless neuro is the main problem. The orientation is 16 weeks long and have also been told that extending that is not a problem. I have been offered a night position. The hospital uses paper charting, they are going to convert to computer charting in the next year to 18 months. The hospital has a great reputation and the nurses also worked as a team and were upbeat.
There are other personal factors I am considering such as drive time, cna's,etc. but am mainly wondering which one looks the most appealing specifically for CRNA prep. Thanks in advance for any replies!
