ICU Nursing vs. ED Nursing?

[Lpeacock12]

I have been involved in medical surgical nursing for a few years now and contemplating what my next move should be. I am well aware ICU and ED are two entirely different departments and both have pros and cons; however, before narrowing down my search to one specific specialty, I thought I would ask the masses who have experienced both ICU and ED: which did you like more? Why? What did you not care for? Why?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

It does not matter what the "masses" feel. It's an individual preference. Shadow in both areas and go from there.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

I enjoyed both work experiences, almost equal, with ED, possibly slightly more.

[Lpeacock12]

I know it is all individual preference, just like to see others experiences so I have a mental list to look for and compare. I have already shadowed ICU and plan to go to ER, as well. I just know I won't see everything in a few days of shadowing, so figured why not ask others about their own experiences!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

In ICU you have some control with the chaos. In ER you will have none.

[RNperdiem, RN]

ICU has an underlying structure. You start the day with 1 or 2 patients, they will be adult surgical patients in my case. The day has an routine of report, assessments, meds, rounds, new orders, turn Q 2 hrs. If you have done med-surg, this daily rhythm is familiar. The patients are sicker, and the day's plan goes out the window sometimes, but the fundamentals are the same.

In ED, things are more random. Patients can be ICU sick and coding, or they can be faking and not sick at all. Patients can be any age, any diagnosis and when they first arrive, a lot is unknown. A nurse needs to be able to be able to change direction, and shuffle priorites quickly.