As a graduate nurse should you start in the ER or Medical-Surgical?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone!

I have a bit of a dilemma and I'm hoping that my nursing colleagues can give me their professional advice. I'm a recent graduate and last week, I was offered a position at on med-surg floor at Memorial, at the same time another hospital offered me a position in the ER. What is the best option to take? On one hand, I have a great hospital and on the other I have the position I think I want? What is your best advice for someone as myself...brand new to nursing!

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Personally I wouldn't go to the ER as a new grad but that's just me.

Specializes in ICU.

I would go to whichever one suits your career goals. I am a big believer in starting out in a specialty if that specialty is what you want to do. I have never worked med/surg, except when I got floated to a med/surg floor at my first job. My current job does not float staff to other units.

Compare the little things too. What shifts do you have to work, and do you have a preference?

How do benefits compare? Length of orientation? Staff turnover? Commute time?

It is a lucky position to be able to have some choice in jobs. Best of luck.

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