New Grad- Periop or ICU

[LoveToRuN120]

Hi all!

This is my first post on this website. After reading the posts here for years, I am now in a position where I could use some feedback.

I will be graduating in August, and have been applying for jobs. I interviewed for an OR position, and am still waiting to hear if I got the job; this position is not through a new graduate program. I also applied for an ICU nurse residency program; the dilemma here is that the ICU manager wants to hire me, but I first have to pass the residency interview. I heard the hospital may not start interviewing candidates until August or September!

I have a passion for both the ICU and the OR, and actually have worked as a tech in both. I would be overjoyed with either of these jobs, but know the ICU position would open the door to more opportunities. I don't want to turn down the OR position (if I get it), and then somehow not get in the residency program and be without a job. I also know it would be more difficult to transfer from the OR to the ICU in the future if that's something I would want to do.

Any suggestions?

[MountaineerFan57, BSN]

Hi there,

I am a new grad nurse so take my advice with a grain of salt, I still feel like I know nothing haha.

But I would take the ICU position if offered it. Nurse residency programs can offer so much more continuing education and resources, and I think you'll use and refine a broader set of skills than in the OR. Of course if you love OR you can always go there later, but it might be harder on you if you ever want to leave OR later if you have really specialized in it.

Best of luck and congrats on graduating :)