New Grad Position

NPOaftermidnight, MSN, RN, NP · May 3, 2016

Hello all!
I precepted in MedSurg and my long term goal is to be in the OR! I interviewed yesterday for a level 2 trauma center and I was given an offer for either General surgical MedSurg (8 week orientation), or for the Trauma/Neuro ICU (12 week orientation). Does anybody have advice for which unit I should pick? I'm actually torn between both units ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½

Congrats on the job offers! Unfortunately, 12 weeks is just not a sufficient orientation period for a new grad into an ICU. At our hospital, it's almost 6 months. Experienced nurses (but new to the ICU) get 12 weeks. Normally I would say go for the ICU position, but I would proceed cautiously here. With only 8 weeks, the floor job doesn't necessarily sound like a great idea either, but go with whichever position you prefer. Just make sure to speak up if you don't feel safe to nurse on your own at the end of your orientation period! Good luck.

amb218, BSN, RN · May 3, 2016

Congrats on the job offers! Were you given information on what the orientation process is like? For example, some units say their orientation process is about 12 weeks long but then you may still have a preceptor after that and will only start out with the patients who are more stable until moving on to the sicker patients if that makes sense (so technically it may be longer than 12 weeks). Ultimately, go with your heart on the position you think would be best suited for you and make you the happiest. Keep in mind the culture/attitudes on the units and which you think you'll fit in with the best.