How to Decide About a Job Offer?

[ktayrn20213]

I am a nursing student that graduates in May of 2017. I am interested in critical care. I currently work as a nurse extern on a surgical trauma ICU at a level I trauma center and on a cardiovascular medical/surgical floor. My clinical practicum will be completed in a medical ICU. I would love to work in a surgical trauma ICU after graduation, but I am trying to move outside of my current city. I also love working with neuro patients.

I recently received an offer for a M/SICU and I don't know how to decide if I should take it or not. The unit receives a wide variety of patient populations-- a lot of sepsis, DKA, GI bleeds, neurosurgery, etc. They receive all ICU patients expect for cardiac patients. However, the hospital is not a trauma center, so I would not get to see any trauma patients. I have many other interviews set up for different types of ICUs at other hospitals (neuro ICU, surgical/transplant ICU, trauma ICU, and surgical/trauma ICU).

I'm trying to decide if I should take the position in the M/SICU and pass on the other interviews, which may lead to positions in trauma ICUs, or pass on this job. I really liked the M/SICU and the staff that I meet during the interview. I think that it would provide me with an excellent new graduate education.

Does anyone have any advise about deciding about offers?

Thank you!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Just because the facility is not a 'trauma center' doesn't mean that they do not receive trauma patients. That designation is primarily tied to reimbursement, marketing and (probably) to coordinate the trauma network services. In most metro areas, EMS will haul the patient to the nearest suitable facility. The nature of the injury will determine where that is. Big-time stuff will go to the highest level facility if they have the room. If they are at capacity, they'll go to the next option.

Go with your gut instinct. If you feel that the M/SICU is a welcoming place and able to provide you with the support you'll need ... Go For It!! When it comes to adult critical care, your experience is going to be very portable, especially when you get your CCRN.

Wishing you all the best as you launch your nursing career.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Take the offer. It sounds like a good place to get a good foundation and learn your skills. You will be able to concentrate on finishing school instead of interviews in the middle of school. After a year or two if you feel the desire to go into trauma ICU, you will have some good experience under your belt.

[txp6081]

I am in a similar situation. I too extern in at a level 1 trauma ICU facility and at another facility where it's smaller but more welcoming. In my opinion, If you don't mind the staff and just want to focus on the diversity of the patients then do that. For me however, I prefer a more welcoming environment where I know I will get the good support from my team. That means I may have to sacrifice my trauma level 1 environment for maybe a level 2. And since I extern there, I feel like I got my two cents in with the trauma experience. I would like to wake up going to work knowing I'll get the support and not wake up dreading work. And it was a gut feeling that I had and something tells me to go with my gut because I do not want to work at a level 1 facility and not have that welcoming support. It's tough... but if you plan on going into CRNA school then stay at level 1. If not, then any ICU experience would suffice. Do what makes you happy and not what you think would seem cool. Because at the end of the day, it's about you :)

good luck!