I need help choosing the correct specialty for “now” to help pave my path to my ultimate goal in ER or ICU.

[emmym]

I need help choosing the correct specialty for "now" to help pave my path to my ultimate goal in ER or ICU. I've been an LPN since 2017. I've only had a year of experience working in geriatrics prior to becoming a stay at home mom.

I graduated from an ADN program December 2022. My skills are rusty but I flourished in my classes. 

Currently, I need a job that can offer flexibility in scheduling due to child care. With that being said, a Nurse residency program will not work out due to the vigorous schedule/ rotation. 

I have per-diem and part time offers for the following.... 

-Acute care rehabilitation hospital (Encompass)

-Ambulatory care 

-Inpatient Psychiatric hospital

-School Nurse

 

Which starting point would you pick and why?

Any other suggestions?

[FiremedicMike, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

ICU probably wouldn't consider hiring a "new grad" into a part time position, but ED's do.  There's no reason not to try to apply and see what happens.

My "residency program" (don't. Get. Me. Started.) is an in person meeting once a month and a fair bit of online training in the beginning that I could do at my own pace.

 

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

The Acute care rehabilitation hospital (Encompass) position will most likely get you the medical assessment skills needed for hospitals. It will depend on the patients you will be caring for. Some of those areas may have patients with ventilators and significant comorbidities. Others may be more based on post surgical rehabilitation with short stays and discharges home.

Inpatient psych and school nurse positions would likely translate least for your endevors. Psych would be better for ER as you will learn effective strategies with working with people and their challenging behaviors. School nurse will (obviously) get you experience with children.

You are unlikely to get an ICU or ER position without a residency if you do not already have ICU or ER experience. So, the positions you list will help you get positions later in a hospital, but hopefull you can have your child care situated as you progress in your career.