New Grad, where to start career?

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Recently offered a new grad academies on Psych & ICU. Interested in different perspectives on both. I wouldn't mind working on either and salary is not a issue. One is literally right down the street the other 30 to 45 minutes. One has great benefits the other not so much. They both are at great facilities. The major difference is one no weekends the other I would have start my orientation on the weekend, which not be an issue except the orientation is rather lengthy (5 months) I have a family 4 kids and I think it would be hard for them. Anyhow this has turned into a rant, all comments and/or advice is welcome.

I'm looking into CRNA. Does anyone have any helpful tips or feel that this is still a good job/career? People will always need medical care and I feel its a good place to start. A rewarding job.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I'm looking into CRNA. Does anyone have any helpful tips or feel that this is still a good job/career? People will always need medical care and I feel its a good place to start. A rewarding job.

*** CRNA is a great career but you can't start there. You need a bachelors degree (doesn't need to be in nursing) with very good grades, be an RN, and have a year or two minimum of ICU experience. Some schools will have specific pre-reqs like maybe chemistry in last 5 years for example. Some not. Some require the GRE and some don't. Also if you really want to go to CRNA school you can never tell anyone. Keep it as your secret.

CCRN is helpful and the qualiety of your ICU experience counts a lot. Get into the biggest, highest acuiety ICU you can. Preferably in a teaching hospital. CVICU and SICU are better than MICU or PICU.

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I am trying to get a start in the ICU

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Hang in there, you'll get something. In my area we are saturated right now and new grads are having to relocate to get a job. This will quickly turn around, it happens every few years. Good Luck!

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I started in Psych and after 2 years I transfered out. I was offered a job at the VA in psych and a job at local hospital in ER. I wish I could have taken both. Like you I had four children and a husband at home. I took the VA job due to benefits and hours. It was 8 hour days with every other weekend off.

Just know that if and when you leave psych for medical you will feel like a brand new grad. I made the transition in steps, I took a PRN position at a Rehab facility and then after a few months I transfered to med-surg at the VA. I did the PRN thing for a variety of reasons, my husband became ill and had to be off work for a time, Union Carpenters in my state do not have sick leave.

I dealt with a lot of crap from some of the other nurses, who hadn't been nurses as long as I had, "psych nurses have no business trying to work medical". Once I proved myself, rather quickly if I do say so myself, they shut up. I guess what I am saying is you may encounter some bias from medical nurses that feel psych nursing is not real nursing. On the other hand I have friends that have always worked psych, love it and will never leave it.

My children had to adjust to mommy working and not having the summers off, as did my husband. Everyone learned to do housework and laundry so when mommy was home we could do fun stuff. I now have one out of college, one in college and two in high school. I went to nights 7 years ago to avoid having 3 teens/preteens home alone in the summer. My kids still do the bulk of the day to day housework, my husband is healthy and back to work, my son still comes over and mows my lawn for his old folks and I can say that I have enjoyed every unit I have ever worked.

My advise, do what is best for your family, I have always operated on this principal and it has never failed me.

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I would definitely take the ICU job.

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Both options will have their pros and cons but I would personally grab the ICU position not only because I might be a little biased :) but because you will learn so many more skills that will benefit you down the road. It also depends on your future nursing ambitions. If you plan on continuing education, ICU will get you great experience. Psych would be good because I see psych pts every day BUT I've also seen psych nurses that start in psych right out of school and in 1-2 years have lost all of their skills. So, weigh your options and decide what will fit best with you and your future goals. Good luck!

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Specializes in Public Health Nurse.
Yes, I would love two offers at this point...

I woud love ANY offer....LOL

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I woud love ANY offer....LOL

I got my first official offer this week and it's only part-time but I jumped at it. Yours will come soon!!

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Specializes in Public Health Nurse.
I got my first official offer this week and it's only part-time but I jumped at it. Yours will come soon!!

Thank you.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
I got my first official offer this week and it's only part-time but I jumped at it. Yours will come soon!!

Congratulations on the offer

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Specializes in Dialysis.
I started in Psych and after 2 years I transfered out. I was offered a job at the VA in psych and a job at local hospital in ER. I wish I could have taken both. Like you I had four children and a husband at home. I took the VA job due to benefits and hours. It was 8 hour days with every other weekend off.

Just know that if and when you leave psych for medical you will feel like a brand new grad. I made the transition in steps, I took a PRN position at a Rehab facility and then after a few months I transfered to med-surg at the VA. I did the PRN thing for a variety of reasons, my husband became ill and had to be off work for a time, Union Carpenters in my state do not have sick leave.

I dealt with a lot of crap from some of the other nurses, who hadn't been nurses as long as I had, "psych nurses have no business trying to work medical". Once I proved myself, rather quickly if I do say so myself, they shut up. I guess what I am saying is you may encounter some bias from medical nurses that feel psych nursing is not real nursing. On the other hand I have friends that have always worked psych, love it and will never leave it.

My children had to adjust to mommy working and not having the summers off, as did my husband. Everyone learned to do housework and laundry so when mommy was home we could do fun stuff. I now have one out of college, one in college and two in high school. I went to nights 7 years ago to avoid having 3 teens/preteens home alone in the summer. My kids still do the bulk of the day to day housework, my husband is healthy and back to work, my son still comes over and mows my lawn for his old folks and I can say that I have enjoyed every unit I have ever worked.

My advise, do what is best for your family, I have always operated on this principal and it has never failed me.

Thanks for the advice

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