New graduate seeking direction

[jonesti]

I am graduating in the next few months and I am having a really hard time deciding on where I should start my nursing career. I am also a paramedic and have worked in the Emergency Room and ICU for the last 8 or so years. I know I love the ER, ICU not so much. I know anything I choose will not be permanent however, I was curious as to where I would learn the most and what would be the most beneficial. Any thoughts or suggestions on this?

Thank you

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

The most important consideration will be - the availability of a structured & stable "transition to practice" program for new graduates (e.g., residency, internship, etc). Some organizations have programs designed to bring newly licensed nurses into specialty areas. I'm intrigued about your statement that your choice "will not be permanent"... does that mean that you don't want to commit much time to your first employer? If so, it may be challenging to gain admission to a residency because these expensive programs generally require a signed contract for a 2-3 year commitment.

Best of luck on launching your career.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I'm intrigued about your statement that your choice "will not be permanent"... does that mean that you don't want to commit much time to your first employer?

I read it as even though he is having an extensive debate in his head between ER and ICU, he realizes that the choice is not necessarily a permanent one. If he chooses ICU and doesn't like it, he can change his specialty and not be stuck in ICU for his entire career.

OP, the choice is dependent on what type of role you choose to have in nursing. The role in the ER is different than bedside nursing. If you are looking for Critical Care in bedside role with 1/2/3 patients for a 12 hr shift, then ICU would be a good choice. If you are looking for a wide variety of types of patients in your 12 hr shift in which you care for them for a few hours and either send them upstairs or out the door, the ER is your choice.

[AliNajaCat]

I'd like to suggest not going to the ER, because it will be incrementally harder to leave the EMT role well and truly behind you and really come into your own in the role of an RN (it'll be hard enough to do that anywhere).