GradRN19

Hello. I have a bit of a dilemma and I'm not sure what to do. I will be graduating this year in May. I have 2 job offers. One at my current place of employment and another at a bigger hospital. Hospital A is where I have worked for over 2 years in the ICU as an aide/secretary. While being there I have also floated many times to Med Surg and ED and OB to help out. It is a smaller hospital in the area and is a 138 bed facility. Our med surg unit has 22 rooms and icu has 5. The hospital has declined over the years but they are currently doing renovations and expanding the ER and Cardiac center. With that said, our hospital does get sick patients, but nothing...extreme if you will. Everything gets shipped to our bigger sister hospital. The most I see in icu are vents and cardiac drips. Which has been good experience. My manager has offered me a position on med surg. I could do day or night part time. They also have a union for the nurses. The staff is close with each other and everyone knows everyone. The problems come from the catty gossip and drama. Also when theres an issue, it gets swept under the rug. Favoritism is an issue there, which is well known. The plus to staying is I know everyone, I know all the docs, I know how things run. I feel comfortable there. I like most of my coworkers and get along with ppl well. Cons: When a problem happens, like a pt codes, EVERYONE loses their minds and it turns into a cluster f*ck. Then everyone is in a bad mood after that all day. There is a lot of drama (which I know is everywhere). Nurses refuse admissions and people fight. Most pts get shipped to bigger facilities. My manager is not there most of the time. She shows up when she wants and thats it. Census can be either way but nurses do get put on call. I dont feel as I could advance. Retention rate has not been that good. Hospital B i got offered a part time night on a medsurg/tele unit. That hospital is our bigger sister hospital. 280 beds and is the local trauma center. The unit i would be on is 28 beds. Pros : i would get better pay (no union). Closer drive for me. I think I would get some good experience. I would see more. Better resources. Teaching hospital. Trauma center. Cons: i dont know anyone there. Way busier than im used to - im scared ill be behind and wont know what to do. Many docs/residents that I'd have to try to remember. Retention rate is iffy. I am really unsure what to do. My ultimate goal for the future is ICU. I also have anxiety bad when it comes to change. I am a creature of habit lol. Advice? Its such a tough decision. What would be best for a new grad? TIA.

Hello, I was wondering what exactly nursing aides do in the ICU? I've seen it pop up on a job search. I'm currently in Nursing school. I haven't done clinicals yet. I was wondering what this job entails and if it would be a good start. i dont have any medical background for jobs. I am also not certified to be a CNA. The only thing I have is an AAS Individual Health Science degree. I really wanna get in the field to start learning and gaining experience. advice? thank you :)