ICU vs. ED - New grad choice struggles

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Specializes in Emergency, critical care, cardiovascular.

Hello everyone,

I will be graduating with my BSN in April. I am an ER tech at a level 1 trauma center and love emergency nursing from what I have witnessed so far. I am doing my role transition in our neuro ICU, and it is interesting; but I definitely like ER better.

So my ultimate goal is to become a CRNA. So I know I need ICU exp., but I want to work ER before I try to go back to school also. So I guess my real question is, should I start out in ICU or ED, since CRNA programs typically want current ICU experience at the time of submitting an application. I feel I should start in ICU and keep building on my role transition ICU exp., but then my time if I go to work in the ED for a while, my ICU exp. won't be current anymore, then I'll have to go back to work another year in ICU.

Maybe it's just my anxiety and overthinking getting the best of me, but I would like to hear everyone's opinions/suggestions.

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If your goal is to be a CRNA, why drag it out? Do ICU and don't look back. You need to look at the long-term goal, not short-term wants.

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go with ICU!! good luck with your future endeavors. look forward to following your journey and hearing about your experience!

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Oh lordy! Get some job offers, first. That might make it easier to decide.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

If you don't like ICU, are you sure you want to be a CRNA? Have you ever followed one around? I'm glad I got to do that early in my career and that showed me....I wouldn't like it.

Id focus on getting in an area that you enjoy first. As you gains few years of nursing experience, then encounter advanced practice nursing roles, it will be easier to make a decision. The first couple years of nursing is hard.

On the flip side I did ICU for three years it was great experience and has definitely helped me with the sicker patients in the ER. I'd apply and see what bites you get first, but I'd lean towards ER now because you can usually get opportunities in ICU later on and if you start there you may never get the ER nurse exposure your craving.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

I hate to burst your bubble, but the job prospects are not that great in most parts of the country right now. You may have to work in LTC before you can even get a hospital job! Gone are the days when a majority of new grads had options for new job prospects! Good luck!

Annie

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If you don't like ICU, are you sure you want to be a CRNA? Have you ever followed one around? I'm glad I got to do that early in my career and that showed me....I wouldn't like it.

Id focus on getting in an area that you enjoy first. As you gains few years of nursing experience, then encounter advanced practice nursing roles, it will be easier to make a decision. The first couple years of nursing is hard.

On the flip side I did ICU for three years it was great experience and has definitely helped me with the sicker patients in the ER. I'd apply and see what bites you get first, but I'd lean towards ER now because you can usually get opportunities in ICU later on and if you start there you may never get the ER nurse exposure your craving.

Honestly, I disagree. If he was offered both an ED and ICU position, the obvious choice would be to take the ICU position which is required for CRNA school. Realistically, if he did opt for the ED it would challenge his seriousness about attending CRNA school.

I have worked in the ED as well, while cool adrenaline pumping stuff does happen (a lot is monotonous too), a prudent new nurse needs to look at their goals.

Besides, many EDs are hungry to scrounge up ICU nurses because they know how to manage those sicker patients. He won't have trouble getting an ED offer after a couple years of ICU experience if he no longer wants to be a CRNA.

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Specializes in LDRP.
I hate to burst your bubble, but the job prospects are not that great in most parts of the country right now. You may have to work in LTC before you can even get a hospital job! Gone are the days when a majority of new grads had options for new job prospects! Good luck!

Annie

While this is definitely true in some areas, the OP may live in an area where they do have options. I just graduated from an ABSN and where I live many of my classmates (including myself) were able to get into specialty areas of preference right away (ED, PICU, L&D). It's definitely possible OP! But definitely get some job applications out and some offers first before you get too far ahead of yourself. :) Best of luck!

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
While this is definitely true in some areas, the OP may live in an area where they do have options. I just graduated from an ABSN and where I live many of my classmates (including myself) were able to get into specialty areas of preference right away (ED, PICU, L&D). It's definitely possible OP! But definitely get some job applications out and some offers first before you get too far ahead of yourself. :) Best of luck!

Yes, I realize this, which is why I wrote "the job prospects are not that great in most parts of the country right now", instead of not that great anywhere.

Annie

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