New Nurse, 2 job offers. Any Advice?

[IndyMomma]

I am new to this site and hoping that I can get some advice...I am a new nurse and I have been offered two positions within a rather large downtown hospital. The first is on the Cardiovascular Critical Care Unit and the second is on the Medical ICU. I am going to be shadowing on both units to see how the people on the unit work together. I am hoping that maybe I could get some advice on which group of patients would be better for a new nurse just starting out...a post surgical floor or a medical floor. Any advice is appreciated! I have to have a decision by the end of this month... :)

[mamamerlee, LPN]

Either of these is a terrifc opportunity. Go where you think is the better - run unit, or the one that seems more welcoming to new grads.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

I personally would take the Cardio Critical Care, but that is exactly what I want to get in to. I am a new grad working on a cardio med/surg floor. I want to stick with cardiology but being able to focus on two very critical patients is a better fit for my personality. It all depends on what your long-term goals are and what type of personality you have. With CCU you will be very specialized, and with Medical ICU you will be dealing with more diagnoses and it is not as specialized. At least that is what this new grad's opinion is. Both of those sound like wonderful job offers though, and either one would be great. Good luck to you!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I'd emphasize what mamamerlee mentioned about being welcoming to new grads. Don't know if you even had the chance to get a feel for this, maybe when you shadow. This would be my deciding factor.

Look at the nurses and gauge the frustration level. Does it feel like it's to the point of anger/tears? Do ever see one RN asking another for advice/help? See how the nurse/physician interaction is or is not. Also, see if you find another newish grad and ask how long their orientation on the floor was. That way you might be able to tell if the NM says one thing and the reality is another.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

I agree with 2ndwind... I was promised the world on my unit and the unit seemed like a good fit for me but after being there I can tell you they put on a big front.. The employees are stressed,overworked and have very little support from management. All smiles was all I saw while on the unit before I was hired. It is a different story now. I really wished I would have knew enough before making my decision. I would have loved to have been able to shadow the units first. I love my shift and my co-workers but a lot is still way off and it seems it is us against them.