ICU vs Oncology for new grad

[kelsn]

Hi all. I'm a new grad with an offer from ICU and one from Oncology at different hospitals. I am interested in oncology but I still have a lot to learn and am not positive if I will like it. I loved ICU during my clinical rotations, but I did not do ICU at the hospital where I have an offer. I feel like ICU offers me a better start because I think I can then transfer to other areas more easily. My long-term interests are to go into advance practice. One further note is that I have heard there are 'problems' in the ICU I'm about to enter and that they are having high turnover. Pay and benefits are similar though the ICU requires working every third weekend and on call once every 6 weeks, whereas the oncology position does not. The oncology unit offers slightly better pay and bonuses initially. Plus the offer from the hospital for the oncology unit is highly rated for nurses. Your thoughts?

[icurn99]

If the oncology position offers no weekends/on call, better pay and atmosphere...I'd go for it! I work in an oncology ICU and I love it!

[Rabid Response]

I work in ICU, and I love it. But if I were you I would take the oncology position. I would be very hesitant to start my nursing career in an ICU with high turnover. That tells me that conditions and morale are bad, which means they probably aren't very supportive of anyone, much less new grads. It is hard enough to start off as a new grad in ICU, but to do so without great support would be setting yourself up for failure

I remember reading somewhere that oncology nurses have some of the highest satisfaction scores of any nurses. At least I remember that they were higher than those of ICU nurses. I think you will learn plenty of transferable skills in Oncology, and I can't see why you couldn't transfer later to an ICU if you wanted to. In my experience, starting out in ICU doesn't prepare you for anything but other critical care positions. I can honestly say that I would bomb big time if I had to take a med-surg patient load. Starting out in ICU, I never developed the organizational skills necessary to juggle that many patients.

It sounds like you would in your heart prefer to take the oncology positions anyway, and I can't think of any reason not to. It would not be a bad career decision imho.

Good luck and congrats on having two good offers!

[Blackheartednurse]

I would go for an oncology floor...I mean you are a new grad and you still need to learn lot...I would never take an ICU job right after school,I dont even apply to an ICU openings however some people do.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Here is something else. Did you get a good look at the nurses while you were interviewing for the ICU? See any older nurses? Did you ask the average experience level on the unit? This is important because you want to be taught by people who are experienced -- not by a newbie. In school I spent extended time at two ICUs. One had nurses that started out at least 5 years prior experience, cardiac preferred. The other had several new grads starting cold. I was initially excited about the one that took new grads, right?! Until I got precepted by one, one day. Frankly I had a better grip on things... this one didn't chart at all till 10:30 or 11:00 and that was "minor". I also noticed the little childish interplay... between the young NGs seeming to set each other up, etc. I know there was an educator, but she did not show herself often. So... unless there is a heavy, heavy, heavy internship with experienced nurses available in that ICU you are considering, don't do the ICU. One more thing. I just loved the MDs at that site, they taught me everything to the point that I began to feel that the nursing staff was insignificant to my learning

[kelsn]

Thanks to each of you for your feedback! I appreciate your insights. I'll likely take the oncology job on that basis. Thanks!:)

[NaKcl, BSN, RN]

I am considering oncology nursing too. It seems like more calmer atmospher than other crazy busy med-surg floor. I practiced plenty on organizaing my time to complete daily tasks, but I wish I have a little more time to give more nursing care to my patients. evaluating the unit by how many seasoned nurses are in that floor is a great tip. Thank you

[Zookeeper3]

ANY unit with high turn over is a huge red flag. Plus oncology patients are very sick, many are multi system sick and require excellent assessment skills (same as ICU patients). My point is that you can learn very much with an oncology population and this will give you an excellent basis for the rest of your career. CONGRATS

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Sometimes, since oncology patients are often so sick, oncology floors will accept patients more unstable and requiring more advanced care than typical medical surgical floors. They simply don't want cancer patients taking up all of the ICU beds all of the time for things like pressor support when the neutropenic patient goes septic.

[jema1990]

You work on an oncology ICU?! I knew they existed but where?! I work on a cardiac ICU floor and have been buying time before committing to my one true love...oncology :)

I worked med/tele/progressive care before and frequently had heme/onc patients but I've never worked on an official floor. Can you tell me more about what you've done? And what's an oncology ICU like? I'm very intrigued!

[annie.rn]

Mistaken post. Didn't realize this was 4 years old. Dang, I gotta remember to check that!

[Cricket183, BSN, RN]

I began my nursing career on an oncology unit. I had always wanted to work NICU but at the time there weren't any openings for new grads. I quickly feel in love with oncology nursing and have never looked back. There is a wide range of patients on the unit. Cancer doesn't discriminate. It affects people from every age, culture, socioeconomic background, etc. Like someone else mentioned, oncology patients often have a more complicated course than your typical med/surg patient. They are often on the unit for extended periods of time or have repeated admissions so you really get to know your patients and their families very well. I have had many people share with me that they don't think they could work in oncology because they would find it too depressing". I have never felt that way. There are times when you do lose patients and I won't lie--it is sad when that happens. Much more often though you find yourself celebrating every victory with your patients. Cancer patients are a very special breed--some of the most amazing, strong, beautiful people that I have ever had the privilege of meeting.