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What are the advantages and disadvantages of a 12 hour shift and an 8 hour one? I'm having a hard time trying to decide. Anyone have any insight on this? Perhaps someone has tried doing both? I'm also considering working night. Do you get used to it after a while or is it physically demanding? thanks!!

Hi! I'm seriously considering taking a position at the University of Penn on Spruce street next to the children's hospital. My only concern is the travel since i will be coming from south jersey over the walt Whitman Bridge. Does anyone know what the commute is like and what time the traffic starts to get bad? What time is a good time to leave if i work a 7a-7p shift. Also does anyone know what the parking situation is like? Thanks! I'm not too familiar with the philadelphia region but i heard traffic can get really nasty. Hope someone can spare some advice.

Hi! So just out of curiosity.. what are the "nightmarish" floors? I heard they were med-surg, telemetry, and icu? I would just love to work there but I'm scared that I'll be stuck working with nurses who are cold and don't like to be bothered. Being a new grad I'll have questions and will want to learn plus I don't want to quit after a few months due to coworkers. Thanks so much! This site is so much help I love it!

That's great!! Thanks so much for that. I've been hearing so many negative things about how the nurses there are cold and unwelcoming. So this was the the NICU? I think i'll keep that in mind when i apply. Thanks again!!

Hi Thanks so much to everyone for their advice. I've ruled out O.R for now. I realized i have so much to learn so now its either Med-Surg or ICU. I know that the whole MedSurg before ICUis old fashion but jumping right into ICU kinda scares me. I feel like i'm starting from scratch! Does anyone know any south jersey hospitals that are hiring new grads into medsurg or ICU? Thanks again!!

Hi coincidentally i have the same dilemma.. I dont know if i should go to University of Penn's Hospital for their gateway program to O.R which starts October 23 or wait for Cooper's orientation to CCU/ICU which starts in January. I may go to Cooper. I heard though that new grads and entry level nurses have to work the night shift for a year before doing days. I think orientation for GN's are only twice a year..The next one isn't until January.

Hello! The sign on bonus for Cooper is 10,000 for entry level nurses? I'm thinking of going for their CCU training/orientation in January. Are the people nice?

Thanks for the advice. I think deep down i know that i need CCU/ICU training. It's just that Penn is one of the best hospitals in the country and it would be a really great experience at the same time i need to get the basics of nursing down. I'll learn that in CCU for sure. I wonder what its like at Cooper. Would you happen to know? thanks!!!

hi thanks so much for the advice. Penn is one of the top 10 hospitals in the U.S and the opportunity to work in an O.R doesn't come your way everyday but then i'm thinking i really need to get the basics of nursing down and the only way i'll do that is by going into a CCU. Have you ever worked at Cooper? The orientation starts january plus i'm not sure i'll get in. The H.R lady said to call back after a month if i'm still interested and looking. Would it be a bad idea to call her and ask her what the chances are of getting into Cooper? I just don't want to pass up the opportunity at Penn to only find out that I wont get the job at Cooper. I don't really know much when it comes to applying for jobs. Thanks so much for listening!

Hello i'm a new RN too and have been trying to figure out whether i should go into OR or CCU because i want to be an anesthetist someday. Do you think it will be difficult making that transition from OR to CCU? Thanks!

I'm trying to make the best decision possible for my 1st job as a nurse. Will it be difficult in the future to transition being an OR nurse to a CCU nurse? Do you learn similar skills as an O.R nurse as you would a CCU nurse? I'm somewhat torn between the two.. Anyone have spme advice? thanks so much for taking the time to read this.

Hello!! I recently passed the board exams and now i'm faced with this decision. I really want a strong foundation for my nursing career and I have such a broad range of interests. I want to be a nurse anesthetist someday and i know i need CCU training but should i wait 3 months for Cooper's CCU orientation or UPenn's gateway orientation to the Operating Room. Both are very good teaching hospitals. Will it be difficult to transition from being an Operating Room nurse to a CCU nurse after a few years? Please share any insight you have on this. I could use some kind of advice right now. Thank you so much for taking the time to read.

Hi to everyone! I'm new to this site. I recently passed my board exams and could use some advice. I would like to one day become a nurse anesthetist and i realize CCU training is needed for that. I have 2 options.. one is to wait 3 months and start at cooper's CCU or go to the University of Penn hospital for their gateway to the Operating Room. I'm somewhat torn.. what's the best area to start off your nursing career? If i go into O.R now will it be difficult to adjust after a few years to get into a critical care unit? Hope someone will spare some advice. I could really use it. Thanks so much!!