NICU nurse aspiring to be a ER or ICU/CCU nurse

World Canada

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Hi I am a NICU nurse with 1 year experience back home. I came to Toronto, Canada and got my license. Since I knew that job competition is really tight here I enrolled myself to Coronary Care 1 and 2, took ACLS and about to take a fulltime course for Critical Care Nursing Program (distance learning) in May. I just had an interview in a hospital for a NICU position and I have a strong feeling that I'll get it.

My dilemma is, I love NICU nursing but I have this passion to extend my knowledge skills when it comes to adult acute and critical care. I am also scheduled for 2 interviews both for ER position. I am thinking of accepting the NICU offer because I really want to set my foot in the hospital and if I get the job for ER I am also willing to accept it. lol. I am really torn. Honestly, when I was in NICU I kinda forgot my general nursing skills and knowledge. NICU is a highly specialized field, I love it but still I find myself wanting for more. Also, having experience in adult care opens a lot of opportunities and advancement in career.

Hope to get advise from nurses out there.

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What is more important to you right now (gaining new experience vs. continuing excellence at a field you're familiar with)? And what can you afford to do in terms of money and time? How much is each hospital going to pay you (this depends on what each hospital count towards your previous experience "back home")? Just food for thought.

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What is more important to you right now (gaining new experience vs. continuing excellence at a field you're familiar with)? And what can you afford to do in terms of money and time? How much is each hospital going to pay you (this depends on what each hospital count towards your previous experience "back home")? Just food for thought.

I actually want to gain new experience so more opportunities will open for me in the future. Adult acute/critical care can lead you to Med/Surg, ER, ICU, rehab etc. I have this fear of being stuck in NICU, compromising my adult care knowledge and skills. This means getting out of my comfort zone which is NICU. I already did my continuing education in Coronary Care 1 and 2, so might as well use what I've learned.

I'll just take the offer in NICU, and gain Canadian hospital experience. I really want to work in the hospital so bad. I'm also gonna be doing my Critical Care Nursing course on the side.

Do you think it's possible to work in ER at one hospital and NICU at another? That's my tentative plan.

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