HELP. Torn between Internships - which matters more?

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I have been accepted to a few internship programs for this summer, two of which I'm torn between. Both have positives and negatives, but my main dilemma is - One hospital is the hospital I want to work at in the future. Another hospital offers the ICU Rotation, and ICU is where I want to work at in the future ( but not at that hospital). Which one should I go with?

The dilemma:

Internship 1:

  • PAID
  • In an amazing "competitive" hospital, where I would like to work at in the future
  • Location: 1 hour away, but in the area I will be moving to when I graduate
  • 3 12-hour Night shifts (full-time) based on preceptor's schedule
  • on a Medical stepdown unit (not ideal)

Internship 2:

  • UNPAID
  • In a good hospital, but one I will be moving away from after graduation
  • About 30 minutes from me now, but I will be moving further away upon graduation
  • 2 12-hr day shifts with a semi-flexible schedule (and opportunity for more unpaid hours if desired)
  • Rotates through SICU and MICU (Love!)

When it comes to internships what matters more - the unit you want to work on in the future or the hospital you want to work at?

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I am doing an internship this summer too. I would go with #1. Keep on as a prn tech after the program ends (if yours is a summer job) to keep your foot in the door if you can. I know the drive is extra but if you already have your heart set then I would go for it.

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Thanks for your reply! I'm not as worried about the drive, it's the Medical step-down vs ICU that I'm deliberating between in regards to the two hospitals and my desire to work in each one.

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I had the same dilemma. My advisor told me: you can always do one or the other in your preceptorship. I choose my area of less interest and am going to save my big interest, geriatric psychiatry, for my preceptorship (Granted this is a less competitive area then ICU)

Also, I would definitely want to get paid and save on gas money

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That's great advice! I forgot about my senior preceptorship.

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Specializes in PICU.

I would go with number one...making connections at the hospital you want to work at will pay off in the long run! Best of luck!

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

I'd go with #1

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

Apply to both - then see which one(s) turn you down. Feel lucky that there still are summer internships in your area, let alone paid ones.

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I would go for JOB A because in the ICU you cant really do a lot of hands on experiences.

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Apply to both - then see which one(s) turn you down. Feel lucky that there still are summer internships in your area, let alone paid ones.

I got accepted to both of them, and I'm trying to decide which one I should turn down.

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Thank you everyone for your advice. I am leaning toward Job 1. Although I was looking forward to working in an ICU this summer, I'm more interested in securing a job upon graduation in the hospital of my dreams and working my way up to the ICU if I have to : )

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Hey just wondering im the same situation as you. did you accept one offer already and signed an acceptance letter?

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