New Grad - ICU or L&D

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello All! I am going to be graduating to be a Registered Nurse in May! I am so beyond excited!! :nurse: :yeah:

I originally got in to nursing wanting to be a Labor and Delivery nurse and throughout my L&D clinicals I was floating around on cloud 9. :heartbeat I loved being a part of the miracle of birth and watching the parents go through this situation and even dealing with death and helping the parents cope was profoundly rewarding, just to be a part of someones life in such an important moment. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be working on this unit...

Until I went through my ICU rotation. I was shocked to enjoy ICU so much! I got in to nursing because I wanted to make a difference and after seeing what a difference the nurses in ICU make for the patient and the families, I feel drawn to this unit. I feel like the ICU nurses are extremely intelligent and have a broad knowledge base of critical care. I feel like the ICU may in fact give me more opportunities to grow and possibly become a better nurse in the future.

I am conflicted now!! Should I follow my heart and apply straight in to L&D or should I follow my head and go into ICU? There are Versant positions available in both. I know I may not even get offers for either, I would just like some advice from experienced nurses.

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Specializes in LTC.

Apply to both.

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Um, no one knows what you would truly enjoy except YOU. Those are such two different areas that there is no comparison. Advice from people who don't actually know you isn't going to be very helpful. You just have to try one area, if you find yourself not liking it, SWTCH. I am a male RN, knew right away in nursing school I wanted to be a critical care nurse in preparation for nurse anesthetist school and had no interest in L&D...it never changed from start of school to end. Best of luck

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

That's so funny! I went into nursing in order to go into OB, and of all the other clinical rotations I did, ICU was the one I loved the most. If I wasn't to be an OB nurse, I would have gone into ICU. I think it's the total patient care of both the ICU and L&D that really appealed to me.

Good luck in your decision!

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Increase your chances and apply to both, as well as any other positions that Versant is offering; they are VERY competitive and only take the creme of the crop.

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Specializes in Med/Surg - E.R. - Pediatrics.

Work in an Area that you:heartbeat LOVE :heartbeatand you will Never have to Work a Day in your Life.:coollook::D:yeah:;):bow::hug:

Remember you can Always Float to another department.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I agree with the others.. apply for both and let fate decide. :)

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Specializes in Rehab/LTC.

Apply for both and pray you get one of them! I became a nurse because I had dreams of becoming a midwife. Still trying to get hired into a hospital after graduating 2 years ago. I got stuck having to do rehab and LTC, and discovered I hate nursing homes. Am currently unemployed and still applying for ANY hospital position.

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I was an ICU RN for 13 yrs in a very demanding unit. It is really best to start out with some general medical surgical experience for both of these specialties. It helps with your organizational skills and with your assessment skills. Good basic knowledge is critical for both. We did have a few Rn's that came right out of school and many of them really needed some floor experience.

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Thanks all for your responses!! I am for sure going to be applying for both units, but Of course! :) I will be applying everywhere to get experience. I am just very excited and feel anxious for where I will land. I will just apply and pray!!

Thank you all for your advice!!

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I know this post is so so old now, but I am actually facing this exact dilemma. But with Covid I missed my opportunity to do clinicals in ICU. Where did you end up?

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 6/12/2020 at 7:14 PM, Nurseroxieo said:

I know this post is so so old now, but I am actually facing this exact dilemma. But with Covid I missed my opportunity to do clinicals in ICU. Where did you end up?

I am also looking at this thread in 2020 haha. I graduated in May and all through nursing school I wanted to do NICU. My last rotation right before COVID was in a CICU and I loved everything about it. I was so torn. I ended up choosing NICU because it can be hard to get in as a new grad but it ended up not being the place for me anyway and I am now applying to ICU and L&D positions.

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