Choosing a unit - HELP!

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Specializes in Cardiac RN.

I really need some advice - I am about to graduate nursing school in May and was just offered a job on either a Pulmonary/General Medicine floor or a Cardiology floor at the same hospital (yay!)...  BUT, I have no idea which one to choose!

I've been on the Progressive Care Unit/Cardiac Step-down for my practicum this semester and I've loved it, but I am just at a loss of which unit to choose for my new grad job. The pulmonary floor is 1:3 ratio right now with COVID and the cardiology floor is 1:4-5 days and 1:5-6 nights. Of course I need to make this decision on my own, but does anyone have any advice or insight for these two units? I really love progressive care, but this hospital does not have one. Long-term I am aiming for PCU or ICU after gaining general nursing experience as a new grad and am not sure if either unit would be better to have experience on if those are my long-term goals.

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Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.

I would think cardiology would be more of a better stepping stone to PCU/step down. I know on step down there are a lot of cardiac drips so it might be nice to have some previous cardiac experience to progress to that.

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Specializes in Primary care.

Cardiology would definitely be a major stepping stone to ICU. As speedynurse said, there are tons of drips in both places and developing a deep comfort level with those will carry you to your destination. That said if you can float to med surg or somewhere like that as well, it's a great learning experience to carry with you throughout your career.

 

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

I agree-definitely cardiology if that's your long term goals! ?

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Specializes in Progressive Care, Sub-Acute, Hospice, Geriatrics.

Cardio definitely. Which one did you choose?

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