Med/Surg vs. Cardiac Stepdown?

[newnursemn]

I am in desperate need of some advice.

I am a recent RN graduate, taking boards in June 2012, and have been offered two different positions at the same medical center and really don't know which one to choose.

I have been offered a Med/Surg position that has rotating shifts, ie 6 weeks on days 6 weeks on nights 12 hour shifts; and a Cardiac Stepdown position that is strictly nights 12 hour shifts. I am a mother of two young children, 5 year old and 19 month old, and a wife. I am trying to figure out which would be the best for me, my family, and experience wise. I have always been told that med/surg is where to start because that is where you learn skills and have a variety. My dream is to become a ED or trauma nurse; so I know that cardiac would also be great too.

I am not sure what to choose and don't want to get stuck in a position I will regret, either by not liking it or get "burned" in the future because of experience, ie being to specialized.

Any and all advice is welcomed, I have to notify the facility of my decision tomorrow.

Thanks to all!

[texasfnp]

I would go with the night shift job, no hesitation. I have 2 children and could not imagine the misery in having to rotate days and nights. It isn't easy, worrying about child care, sicknesses, and the toll it takes on you having to switch shifts. It takes the mind and body a few months to adjust to nocs, but after that it is quite enjoyable. Switching back and forth every 6 weeks can lead to endless fatigue, on top of the fatigue of parenting. The cardiac experience will be great, you will learn plenty, and I'm sure you'll float occasionally to the Med-Surg floor and you'll learn plenty there too. There are many skills to be gained on a cardiac floor.

Best wishes to you!

[newnursemn]

Thanks so much for your input. I was leaning that way just don't want to make the wrong decision. Again thanks so much your response has helped me a lot.

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

I agree that the cardiac would be best. Med surg is incorporated into cardiac in a way. You'll gain invaluable experience in cardiac. Plus, id hate rotating shifts. It'd probably be terrible on your health. Congrats on two offers by the way!!!

[sbostonRN]

Definitely the cardiac position, for all the reasons posted!! Congrats!!

[tcvnurse, BSN, RN]

I agree on cardiac stepdown, because that's my specialty and I love it :) Patient ratios are better, straight nights are waaaay better than rotating, and you will learn loads and loads. It's also easier to transfer into ICU nursing if you are interested in that direction in a couple years. Good Luck!

[evilolive, BSN, RN]

I work on a stepdown unit now, and started with med/surg prior to transferring. The telemetry experience can only benefit you in looking for positions down the road! We have a lot of med/surg overflow, and patients who really have a lot of co-morbidities that translate into "med-tele." Rotating shifts must be misery... I've only worked overnights for the past three years in my current hospital. I work with a lot of Moms who do this shift and seem to enjoy it. Good luck! :)