ICU, Telemetry or ER to start?

[ertrek84]

Hello everyone, I am graduating in May and trying to decide what to do. I have worked for the last 4 years as an ER tech and my boss has told me I may not be getting a job since they want more experienced RN's than new grads. I'm trying to figure out if I should try for ICU, a telemetry unit or another ER to start off. I have an interest in critical care and when I have done clinicals on med/surg units I have been bored. I know I need to start in the beginning but not really sure where the beginning is lol.

The other thing I am wondering is should I look out of state or just try and stay in New Orleans till I get my 1st year of experience? Thanks in advance for yall's advice/comments

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

If you want ICU, go for it.

Everyone goes on about "good to get your experience in Med-surg 1st blah blah"

I do not agree, especially if you have PREVIOUS health care experience, which you do.

Med-surg is ideal for people who don't have the multi-tasking background, as well as just getting comfortable and used to patients. Not saying it's any less of a difficult area, it's just why they usually recommend med-surg, plus the variety.

I started in ICU, I like it ok. I have not had any trouble adjusting or keeping up with my work load and actually got taken off of orientation a week early because I was doing fine. With four years of ER tech experience, you know how to interact with patients, a basic understanding of how hospitals work, and can multi-task and critical think.

However, if you were using ER as a stepping stone to ICU, most ER nurses told me it's better to go to ICU then ER instead of vice versa, you get more of a learning environment there (typically) especially with all the drips. You may not get that focus in ER.

Go where you want.

[ertrek84]

Thanks, I am thinking going to ICU first so that I can get better assessment skills, med knowledge, though with the job shortage I will take which ever will have me lol