Major medical center or community hospital for the New Grad?

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Hi. I am trying (with much difficulty) to decide between accepting a job offer at a major university-affiliated cardiac ICU or a smaller community Cardiac-Thoracic ICU. I shadowed at both and am having difficulty choosing, partly because I am unsure what I will need and want further down the line. Both hospitals seem to have great staff and management. The community hospital mainly sees post CABGs, valve replacements, etc. The major medical center also works with transplant candidates on VADs (at least 5 different brands), post transplants, and much more.

As a new graduate (who had an extended ICU internship during school), I know I would have a lot to learn at both hospitals for quite some time. I feel as if the community hospital may be more nurturing and manageable due to its small size and limitations in the types of patients they receive. However, the medical center will definitely keep me on my toes and provide learning opportunities for a greater period of time.

Any input on this topic would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

You will be exposed to a much greater variety of patients at the major university affiliated hospital. The more complex and difficult cases are sent on to these tertiary centers. They are education focused and you will most likely receive very good orientation and training there. You will see very interesting cases that would never be handled in a community hospital. Experience from a large teaching hospital will open doors for as you move forward in your career.

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