Career Decision: What would you do?

[robert1083]

I have been an nurse for approximately 2.5 years, with the entirety spent in a Medical-Surgical/Coronary Care ICU. I began a new job in December 2013 in a Medical-Intensive Coronary Care Unit (MICCU). I was under the impression that the acuity would be higher and I would learn more. Unfortunately, this has been the case. I have not really acquired any significant new skills and feel I am stagnating.

However, a few days ago, I was given an interview date for a busy Coronary Care Unit that my friend works in. If I were to secure this position , I would go from a unit that sees maybe 2 balloon pumps all year, to one where they are commonplace. Additional experience would include CRRT, Swans, old LVADs, post-op day 2-3 open hearts and more experience with vasoactive gtts. As a bonus (potentially), benefits, educational reimbursement, and pay would be significantly better. The reason I feel a bit torn is three-fold: I have only been at my current position for 4 months (do not want to burn a bridge), I would be leaving some great coworkers that I have recently befriended, and last and least significant, I would go from a 1 mile walk to a 30-35 minute drive. Yet, I know I would certainly get valuable experience if this opportunity is realized. What would you do in this situation or how do feel about it? Thank you for any input!

[Alfi_srq]

I personally would switch

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Nothing will burn you out fast is stagnating in a job. You need to go where your job will feed your need for knowledge. Go to the new job. You don't want to think 1,2,5 yrs down the line that you are still super stagnant, really like your co-workers, and still haven't increased your knowledge and wish you had taken the other job.