ICU experience vs. PCU or tele for cardiac NP

[Grnrn]

Hi

I am in the process of being interviewed at a few places. I have some tele background as an RN. The positions I am being intreviewd for are RN positions mostly tele and PCU, but I will also have an interview at an ICU floor. I have about 1.5-2 yrs left to study at an NP program. My goal is to become a cardiac (outpatient) NP. Which experience would be preferable: tele or ICU in order to become a cardiac NP.... (Since I did not have the ICU interview yet, I do not know what portion of the patients there are with cardiac problems).

Thanks in advance for your advise!

[t2krookie]

While the ICU patients will challenge your manual and assessment skill set more, I would think that the Tele population would be better example of your eventual interaction with patients as a NP. You can't get much background information out of an intubated pt :)

[meandragonbrett]

I would vote do a bit of time in a good ICU with a fairly regular high acuity. While you might not be practicing in the inpatient setting, you never know when it might turn into inpatient or a combo. Have a bit of time in an ICU would help to round out your nursing experience and diversify your thought processes.