ICU stepdown or cardiac telemetry?

[studentnurse12.2011]

I graduate in December from nursing school (ADN) and interviewed for two positions at my local hospital for a student nurse intern position. I have offers from both units, ICU step down or cardiac telemetry. I was wondering if you guys could help guide me in this decision. I have put a lot of thought into it and I know I could do the cardiac floor, but I am a little nervous about the ICU stepdown. I know one day I want to work in critial care, but am I biting off more that I can chew as a student nurse? Any thoughts?

[wookieRN11]

I am a new grad and I am having a difficult time finding a job. If there is one thing I have learned from my nursing school experience is that I should have got my foot into the door in some sort of way by making connections with managers and staff. If you plan on working in critical care then this is your chance to get that foot in the door. Really make yourself known to the managers and staff on the ICU step down! You could potentially have a job lined up on that floor when you graduate. You are definitely not biting off more than you can chew, you are student and you are there to learn. And if your plans are to eventually get into critical care- this may be the opportunity to determine if critical care is something you really want to do when you graduate- it's better to find out whether or not you like it now while you are a student instead of when you are actually employed. Good luck!