New Grad to OR or MICU

[carteree]

Hello!

I am a new grad and have been offered positions in the MICU and OR.

Both positions have about a 6 mo residency program and a 2 year contract.

The OR job is at a better hospital and better location. Both hospitals are teaching hospitals and level I.

I love the OR, but I am worried about limiting my options during such a vulnerable time of career. I am interested in CRNA, but I'm not 100% committed to it. I also do not know if I will be happy at the bedside.

I am not interested in started out in med/surg.

I want to make the right choice!

Any suggestions? I need to decide today.

Thank you!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

MICU is my vote.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Level I? Level I trauma?

To be honest, OR will be limiting you to an OR role. MICU you will be able to travel outside into other areas such as med-surg, ER, OR, etc. It will be hard to go backwards from OR to other areas. It can be done.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I agree with above. Going to MICU will give you a broad exposure to critical care. After a couple of years doing that, you'll say "You name it, I've seen it." That's a good thing. You'll be much more likely to be able to branch out with the MICU experience than with the OR experience. Not knocking OR, I work PRN in a small elective plastic surgery OR. But ICU was where I learned the most.

[Oh'Ello, BSN, RN]

Most CRNA programs require Critical Care experience. While you are not totally committed to the CRNA route, if you do choose to go that way, the MICU will provide you with the necessary experience for your resume. The OR is not typically considered critical care, so you'd have to then secure a job in an ICU for several years prior to starting school.