Advice greatly needed

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I am a nursing student set to graduate in December and had the most amazing thing happen to me. I was offered my dream jobs and now I'm forced to choose between neonatal icu and cardiac icu. These are two of the most highly competitive units at the hospital I applied so I applied thinking I would only recieve one offer but I have to choose. I want to start my nursing career off right. Any advice?

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
I am a nursing student set to graduate in December

1. First you need to change your username & remove the RN from it. Per Terms of Service you can not use any title you have not earned yet.

2. Make a Pros vs. Cons list. Where do you want to be in 5 years? For example: Cath lab, then go with Cardiac ICU, Planning on being CRNA, then cardiac ICU.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

If you not an RN then see post #1.

If you are an RN then try this thread. https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/rant-how-should-1017278.html

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Specializes in Med-Surg; Infectious Diseases; Research.

First, congratulations on your upcoming graduation. December will be here before you know it! This is a good problem to have so kudos to you! The answer really depends on what you want to do in 2-5 years. If you don't graduate until December and already have job offers, something tells me you already have a 5-10 year plan. Which one will best prepare you to stay on track with your plan?

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The problem I find is I either want to go back to school (crna, nnp, or educator) or go into administration eventually. I have been told by many that cicu would open up more doors for me in the future. I'm just unaware how true that statement is.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
The problem I find is I either want to go back to school (crna, nnp, or educator) or go into administration eventually. I have been told by many that cicu would open up more doors for me in the future. I'm just unaware how true that statement is.

I don't know the truth of that statement. I know nurses from lots of specialties who have gone on to administration.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Point of clarification. NP education will not prepare you for administration. NP, Nursing Leadership & Nursing Education are all completely different skill sets. In my experience, NICU staff tend to be much more satisfied - with less turnover than other types of critical care. My background is critical care & I LOVE my nursing 'tribe'. I've encountered many more Nurse Leaders with an ICU background than other specialties. But - I've always wondered whether ICU experience actually offers better preparation people for career advancement or just that the personality type that is most suited for ICU (assertive, confident, independent, etc) is also suited for Leadership.

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