Need help... 1st job offer

[nrsstudent2010]

Hi everyone. Hoping to get some help regarding my first job offer.

I take my boards on Monday and am lucky enough to have 2 job offers lined up. I have no idea which to take.

The one offer I wasn't expecting but it's for a good hospital system in the ER. It's not level 1 trauma center, but it's still an ER, and there is a hosptal within this system that I could eventually transfer to that has a level 1 trauma. I toured the unit and got a great feeling from meeting various staff members. The other job offer is for med/surg BUT it's in the hospital system I most wanted to be in because I had a great experience in clinical and it's a very prominent system locally known for research and "leading technology". Both are teaching hopsitals.

My plans for the future are to apply to CRNA school as soon as I can. The school I would like to attend will "consider" ER experience, it just depends on what your experience was/is. So with either job I will have to eventually transfer I'm sure. Both systems allow for transfer.

I've tried to get in an ICU right off the bat, but understandibly most places want a year of RN experience, so I pretty much thought I would be in a med/surg position which is why I was so adament about the system I was in.

Before deciding on CRNA school, I always wanted to work in the ER. I volunteered in the ER before school, and never considered anything otherwise. That is until I shadowed in the ICU and a CRNA and I completelydid a 180. I figure even though it's not my 1st choice in system, having ER experience may open more doors and even give me a slight advantage vs having med/surg on my resume. it may also satisfy that "what if" part of me and give me the experience I always wanted. And even though the ER isn't the ICU experience CRNA schools want, I'm encouraged by the fact that this school will consider the ER experience one has, so it makes me feel like I'm doing something that counts towards that goal anyway.

anyway, just wondering if anyone has any advice as far as choosing unit placement or even hospital system placement. Is it really that big of a difference what hospital system you're in?

any help is appreciated! Thanks :)

[mgp6]

Congrats on the job offers! In my opinion, it doesn't matter which hospital system you'll be at. I would give priority consideration on the units. Since your goal is to be a CRNA, ICU experience is very important. I believe you'll get a lot more experience in the ER that would help in your future goals vs. Medsurg. But if you plan to get into an ICU before going to CRNA school (which is much more preferred), consider looking into the ICUs of each hospital and the possibility of transferring to ICU after a year.