First RN job, deciding between paths??

[RNbb91]

Hello allnursing community! (first post)

I recently graduated from an Accelerated nursing program and have been looking towards my first RN job. I love critical care, and am extremely grateful for 2 opportunities that have come my way, but I am having difficulty comparing the two and deciding on a path.

option 1: I recently interviewed for a CVICU residency position (another person selected), and have been offered a position in the Stepdown heart failure unit. The residency program requires a 2 year commitment with an 8 week class and 8 weeks of orientation. I am unsure of when I would be able to transfer units (possibly a year) to go into an ICU.

option 2: I am starting as an aide in another hospital in the MICU, under the assumption that I pass my boards and there is a position available (another girl who also worked as an aide and as an RN in the unit for her first RN job waited 2 months after passing her boards for a position). It also comes with a once a week class and a 1 year commitment. This hospital is much more urban and a teaching hospital as well.

Obviously both comes with drawbacks, option 1 isnt directly in an ICU, but it is cardiac related. Option 2 is in an ICU, but I would be waiting for a position to open, and not in a cardiac area.

I am unsure of which route to take. My ultimate goal is a Cardiac or Surgical ICU (to gain experience for possibly CRNA school if not NP). Money and distance are not deciding factors, I want to happy in what position I am in and on a path towards where I would like to be. Any advice?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I must admit ... the 2 year commitment would scare me, but I can understand the fear about option 2 as well. Are you really committed to staying at #2 as an aid for a full year if an RN position doesn't open up? Or is the 1 year commitment only in effect if you get an RN job?

[RNbb91]

Thanks for your response! The 1 year is in effect if I get an RN job, so fingers crossed it would be less time to get an RN job after I (also fingers crossed!) pass boards

[nursemcsleepy, BSN, RN]

I would be concerned about only getting 8 weeks of orientation for your first job, especially in a stepdown unit.