Hyperbaric Nursing vs Critical Care

[ThinkerBelleRN, BSN, RN]

I have always wanted be an ICU nurse and eventually get into cath lab or anesthesia school (also because I'm tired of having to deal with more than 5 patients in a crazy busy medical floor), but never had the opportunity to even get a foot in the door. It was always because "I dont have prior ICU experience". What makes it even worst is there arent any hospitals in my area offering critical care training, so I really dont know where to start.

Recently I got a job in a HBOT unit in a hospital in one of the Gulf Countries and I was surprised I was assigned here, because I did not request nor applied for that position and clearly stated in my apps that my previous area was in the Medical Ward.

I don't know much about HBO nursing so looked online and I posted a thread under Hyperbaric Nursing hoping to get more information on this fairly this new specialty but did not get any replies, I have a feeling there aren't that many HBO nurses out there. I am just in distraught because I dont feel happy in my new area and just not interested in wound care and having to sit for hours beside the chamber. I still want to get into ICU and more realistically maybe start in a Step Down unit. I spoke to my nurse manager about it, she tried to convince me that HBO has a pretty good career prospect especially if I want to move to other countries. However, I am not convinced and still contemplating to transfer to a step down unit.

If my transfer wont be granted due to staffing issues, will HBO be a good area to specialize in? (FYI, fiance is a US Navy and when we get married I foresee frequent move. That means I will have to put out apps a lot until he retires.)

HBO nurse pay? Job opportunities?

I am just really confused. I know HBO is better than going back to the medical floor. But I feel like I am going the opposite direction from critical care (correct me if I'm wrong). I am about to write a letter of request to transfer, how do I make it convincing?

HELP!