ICU or ER

[New Nurse 22]

I am a new grad with an offer in both the ICU and ER and am trying to decide where is best to start. Do new grads tend to thrive in these environments? Do they become good nurses? Will starting in either pigeonhole myself in the future or make it extremely difficult to try something new?  

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

What is  your definition of a good  nurse? I would  start in ICU. It would give you more time to learn than  the ER.

 

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

If the ED environment appeals to you, then by all means go that route. However, ICU will prepare you to be more independent and give you a broader skillset than ED. There's nothing wrong with trying both though - the best part of nursing is trying out some different specialties and finding what you like.