Pick my "poison"

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

I think medical would give you the most experience and leave you the least pigeon holes in the future.

Libby1987 · Mar 17, 2015

I would choose either cardiac or neuro versus the catch all medical, it's easier to learn specialized care. Cardiac would be my first choice, I prefer the age of the general cardiac population.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

The PP makes a good point that it would be a smaller information pool to learn in one of the specialty units. The best way for you to make this decision is to decide whether you want an easier transition to a specialty, with a bigger learning curve if you leave later, or a more difficult learning experience for something general that will make other jobs less challenging for you in the future. Up to you, I personally love medical for the variety.

If you are really interested in cardiac, though, it may be worthwhile to go where your interests lie even if your initial education will be more limited. Good luck!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 17, 2015

My least favorite choice would be neuro . . . I was exposed to lots of young males with head trauma from stupid stunts when I was a brand new nurse and I'd go home and have nightmares about it. That said, lots of people are fascinated with neuro, and neuro surgeons are well respected. I've found over the years that if you work for the service that is responsible for bringing the most money into the hospital, your unit gets newer equipment, less scrutiny, more "perks" than other services. In some places that's cardiac and in others it's neuro.

That said, take the job you're offered. You wouldn't go wrong with any of the three in terms of learning how to be a nurse, gaining experience dealing with patients, visitors, physicians and ancillary services, learning time management or critical thinking. Any of the three would be an excellent "starter opportunity."

If you are fortunate enough to be offered more than one job, I'm pretty sure you will find that one manager and one floor "feels" better to you than the others. That "feeling right" is you absorbing clues to the culture of that unit -- something you cannot really articulate but just FEEL. (Obviously, I cannot articulate it, either.) That, more than the specialty, will contribute more to your development as a nurse. If you fit in, you'll learn more and be more comfortable. And you may even learn to love the specialty of that unit as well.

Aurora77 · Mar 17, 2015

I would go for cardiac or medical. Having a broad base of knowledge will help should you want a different job down the road.

I also agree with Ruby, trust your gut. If something feels right or feels off, it probably is.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Mar 17, 2015

I just started on Medical stepdown (although I'm not a new grad) and we tend to get a lot of respiratory failure, COPD and the "dumpoffs" that no one else wants. Its a good learning experience - I have 2 trached, vented patients that are NEVER leaving (can't find placement for them), and you will get to know ABG's like the back of your hand as well as post surgical complications (had a patient perf his stomach!) etc...

Cardiac stepdown is also cool because you get the day 3 open hearts and the fresh stents etc...

Farawyn · Mar 17, 2015

As an experienced nurse I would take Neuro.

As a new nurse, what Ruby Vee said.

Best of luck!!!

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

Good luck, PB!

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

All three specialties sound great. I would choose based of the unit, culture, and manager. Go with you instincts. The people you work with can Mae or break your career.

Graduatenurse14 · Mar 17, 2015

OP: They are all interesting in their own way and you'll get a "feel" for the unit via the manager and hopefully you will get taken on a tour of each of the units. I've seen some on here even advise to ask to shadow for a shift which I think is a good idea. Good luck!!

Ruby Vee:

I've found over the years that if you work for the service that is responsible for bringing the most money into the hospital, your unit gets newer equipment, less scrutiny, more "perks" than other services. In some places that's cardiac and in others it's neuro.

I work on a neuro unit (not ICU) and cardiac is the money maker at my hospital. It's a bummer!! :no:

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

So I will be interviewing for three adult, step-down units: Cardiac, Neuro and Medical. Granted, these are not my top choices and I doubt I will get offers for all three, but I am a new grad, so any offer would be fantastic.
I don't know how to do a poll, but which of the three would you prefer to work in? Which is most suitable for a new grad? Do you think a step-down unit is an inappropriate place for a new grad?
I am leaning towards cardiac because I find the heart to be fascinating, plus telemetry experience is a positive (though all step-down units would have them, right?) For those who have worked in any of these settings, what did you like/dislike about them?

None of the three areas you list excite me, but if you put a gun to my head and made me choose, I'd choose cardiac because I also find the heart to be very fascinating, and I like playing Dechiper the ECG Strip.

Best of luck on your interviews!