New Grad in MICU, Now with Offer for PICU..

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hi Nurse Beth,

I am a new grad nurse, graduated Dec 2015. Initially I was hired at a county hospital in the medical ICU where I am about to be off training and on my own. However, I was also offered a new grad residency at a children's hospital nearby in the PICU after taking the initial job.

I now have to decide what is going to be better for my career and choose one, MICU or PICU?

I feel drawn to PICU, but want to make sure I stay marketable for my later aspirations and don't burn any bridges within the nursing community.

Any career advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Dear Should I leave MICU for PICU?

This is such a good question and I am asked this so frequently. It seems that when it rains, it pours. New grads can go for months without a single job offer, and then get two or three within weeks of each other. It reminds me of the dilemma of being asked to prom by your second choice and accepting, only to then get asked by your first choice.

My answer is likely to be unpopular with the people who will say:

Take the (PICU) job/it's just business/the employer would do the same to you given an opportunity.

My question to you is- would you feel right about receiving several months of intensive training with an implied or written agreement to work as a nurse in MICU only to leave prematurely? The hospital has invested substantial resources in you. Moreover, another new grad was denied a spot that was given to you.

Take the high road and the long-term perspective. You will receive many more opportunities to change specialities during your career. The MICU experience will only benefit you in the long run.

Nurses who jump ship right after orientation for their own gain risk burning bridges in the nursing community.

If someone asked you this question, how would you advise them? Do the right thing and make a choice you can live with and be proud of.

Best wishes to you, friend,

Nurse Beth

[brewski09]

When I was a new grad I thought I was going to be an ER nurse right out of the gate but due to better than expected retention they were overstaffed so I had to look outside my department. I ended up between SICU/NCCU and PCU/Stepdown. Both unit managers told me they wanted a minimum commitment of 2 years because of the cost to train a new grad is so great. It ended up being an amazing experience that I only left because we moved back home. Stick with your job, it will ground you for the rest of your career.

[lupedlupe]

Just wondering, why were you applying for new positions when you weren't yet off orientation?