Air Force: ICU or ED?

[JerseyGirl13]

I will be graduating in May with ADN (God-willing) and start BSN track this August. I'm torn between getting experience in ICU or ED because I like both, each for different reasons. I prefer to go to Langley but would like to know in general what you think. Is there really a big difference when you deploy? I know my choices for bases are limited with both, but am focused more on advancement opps. Thanks.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

I don't know which is better for deployment. But, in general, once you have ICU experience you can go anywhere in the hospital; cath lab, PACU and so on, the ER included. That is not so true of the ER. Not to say you can't go from ER to ICU, (I did), but the ICU gives you the highest level of technical skill and advanced knowledge (in my opinion). ER can be just as challenging but for different reasons. Good luck.

[JerseyGirl13]

Thank you so much for the reply. I'm hoping that if I go in with an ICU identifier that I only work ICU or the other units you mentioned...NOT Med-Surg/Ortho. Never was a fan. Will do it if I have to, obviously, but rather not.