I didn't know where else to put this, so I'm posting it in the general discussion. I'm in somewhat of a situation. A little history: I worked as a phlebotomist for 2 years, nurse tech in medical intensive care unit for a year, then worked as a surgical ICU nurse for 3 years. I've been working as a clinical liaison for the past several months (long story why) and have been looking to get back into the ICU setting. This leads me to my predicament....
I have been offered a full-time days position at what I and many consider one of, if not THE, top ICUs in the state. The only problem is that it's about an hour to hour and fifteen minutes one-way from my house. It would be 3 12-hour shifts. I am anticipating a full-time ER offer tomorrow, but there's no telling what shift it may be. It could be nights, evenings, days, who knows. The thing is that job is about ten minutes from my house.
Now, I absolutely LOVE ICU nursing. I love everything about it and this unit that extended an offer is a predominant cardiac ICU. I've never work ER, but know I love dealing with traumas. The only problem is that a lot of 'junk' comes into the ER, especially at the location by my house. Considering money is similar and the fact that I love ICU nursing as much as I do (mind you, I don't dislike ER...I would prefer it second any day to ICU), would you take the ICU position or the ER position. I'm just trying to decide if the hour drive one-way would get to be too much. Friends of mine that are nurses and drive an hour one-way now say that it's not too bad...it's their 'down-time'. I just don't want to take either position and then regret it later.
If anyone can give me their opinions, what you would do, and why, I would REALLY appreciate it. I have prayed about it and am leaning VERY heavily toward the ICU. The only thing keeping me back is the drive. What do you all think??
