NICU vs. PCICU New Grad

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 17, 2017

Hi, guys! I have a wonderful opportunity to choose between beginning my career in a Level III NICU or in a pediatric cardiac ICU. I am hoping anyone with experience or insight could offer advice as to which place is best to start over the other, assist me in weighing pros and cons, and help me determine what the outlook would be like later in my career based on which unit I decide upon. Thank you all so very much for your help!

It's not all about the specialty. Presumably you interviewed on both of those units and met some of the staff and the manager. Is there one manager that you "clicked" with more than the other? Does one unit have a more colleagial atmosphere, better education programs, more flexible scheduling or more windows? (Don't laugh -- I have worked with people who would quit their jobs over the windows issue.) Does one unit make your heart sing and the other leave you feeling "Meh"? Are they in the same place? Is one commute obnoxious but the other doable? Better pay or benefits? Are you more interested in cardiac than preemies or vice versa? In order to advise you, we need more information.

Tiffanyhousworth · Mar 21, 2017

Thank you so much for your response!

They are both prestigious hospitals with wonderful managers and staff, same distance from home, and nearly the same benefits.

The only difference is that the PCICU wants to train me for an entire year while the NICU wants to train me for about four months.

My heart has always longed for NICU, but I'm wondering if the extra training will provide me with a better foundation if I choose PCICU. I'm also wondering if one is better to start out in than the other in terms of wanting to change careers later on down the road if I grow bored.

Thank you again for all of your help!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 21, 2017

Thank you so much for your response!
They are both prestigious hospitals with wonderful managers and staff, same distance from home, and nearly the same benefits.
The only difference is that the PCICU wants to train me for an entire year while the NICU wants to train me for about four months.
My heart has always longed for NICU, but I'm wondering if the extra training will provide me with a better foundation if I choose PCICU. I'm also wondering if one is better to start out in than the other in terms of wanting to change careers later on down the road if I grow bored.
Thank you again for all of your help!

The longer training in the PCICU is a big plus -- the stronger foundation you get as a new grad, the better off you are. Four months seems a little light for a brand new nurse in the NICU. Of course, you'll see only neonates in the NICU, you'll get a wide variety of patients with PCICU. If the longer training doesn't sway you, go with your guy. You have two great choices.