I need your opinions!

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Hi! I posted this somewhere else, but that thread doesn't have a lot of action so I thought I'd run this by everyone.

First off, nevermind my screen name...I have had a change of career plans.

I am stressing out beyond belief. Help me if you will. I interviewed for a position yesterday in two units in a WONDERFUL Magnet hospital. At the end of the day, I was offered positions in both the CVICU and in the CICU. The first is more my style in terms of pt care. The second is totally me in terms of unit personality. I know the knee-jerk reaction would be to take the first since it seems to be more my thing, but I happen to know from experience how rare it is to walk into a unit and have a total warm-fuzzy feeling wrap itself around you. Working with an amazingly supportive team and manager can make or break any job. Both would give me the experiences I want/need for my career goals. The CICU takes pts who may stay for weeks/months and I get VERY attached...I worry I'll take my work home with me. CVICU is in-and-out...you reflect on your day when you leave, but you don't know the patient's brother's middle name...you know?

Please tell me what you think. Would you go for the skills atmosphere you know you like or would you go for the personality atmosphere you know you'll like with a skills atmosphere you're not 100% sure about.

*sigh* Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

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I'd take the personalities any time -- I need to work with people I enjoy. But that's just me. :)

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I happen to know from experience how rare it is to walk into a unit and have a total warm-fuzzy feeling wrap itself around you. Working with an amazingly supportive team and manager can make or break any job.

That's where I'd go, because a team like that is so rare! You'll learn a lot, and if the unit changes drastically after the first year or so, you can always transfer.

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Alyssa-

Go with your gut instinct! (What was your first impulse?) Congratulations on having to decide between two great choices! :balloons:

kona

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Thanks for your input. I'm struggling with this one. My husband's voice keeps haunting me "People leave and managers can change..."

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Thanks for your input. I'm struggling with this one. My husband's voice keeps haunting me "People leave and managers can change..."

Go with your first instinct! People change no matter which one you choose.

:balloons: :rotfl:

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personalities do not change with time, according to literature. I would guess you would be happier, over time, in the unit where you "fit" the best. Skills can always be learned anywhere.

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Specializes in Medical.

I agree with purple - the 'fit' with the people you work with is important not only because it's more pleasant but also because you know you can rely on them etc. If the first unit is not only less warm but also has longer-stay patients I could see myself burning out more easily; even in short-stay units you can attached enough to special patients, so you might not miss that aspect of it as much as you suspect.

I do have an infalliable way of choosing, if you're still undecided. Allocate one unit heads, the other tails, and promise you'll go where fate dictates. Do that now, then scroll down.

If you're disappointed, or want to try for best of three, pick the other option :)

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You won't believe how well this works. Toss a coin and notice your reaction to the results.

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Why, thanks so much, Talaxandra - that really works. :kiss

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You won't believe how well this works. Toss a coin and notice your reaction to the results.

If you're disappointed, or want to try for best of three, pick the other option

You guys rock! I was laughing before with my husband about the possibility of placing my career beginnings in the fate of a quarter. It helps me so much for you to put it in to perspective for me.

I'm going to the CVICU! I was amazed at how disappointed I felt when the CICU side popped up. (I DID want to do the best of 3!!! :chuckle ) I want to work with the post open-heart patients.

THANK YOU!!!

Next stop...CRNA!

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The day that you stop changing is the day that you start dieing. I would choose to work with people I like if I thought that I would enjoy the work. You can always return to your comfort zone but you may never have a chance like this again jump for it.

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