RN Student looking for guidance

KMARN16 · Jan 14, 2009

I feel I could really benefit from current nurses on this ...I am in my senior year of a BSN program in Chicago. I am currently working as a SNA (student nurse associate) on an adult med/surg, pulmonary step down unit at a well-known Magnet status hospital. I completed a summer externship program there and have been offered (not officialy) a job once I graduate and get my license.
Problem is I am not sure this is where I really want to work once I become an RN. I am definatley interested in cricial care/ICU. In addition to that I want to work in pediatrics some day.
My question is.....should I take the position as an RN on the adult unit? or should I apply for an ICU or even a pediatric position? I know there are a lot of limitations in both peds/ICU especially being a new graduate, but I have heard if you know what you want to go into that is what you should start off in.
I appreciate any advice!

Hi Krider. First - Congrats on getting this far! You will be done with your senior year before you know it! Your situation was comparable to mine when I graduated (which was almost a year ago!). I was working as an aide. I was offered a position on my floor. Sometimes I wonder if I really should have taken the job. I work on a unit that probably isn't the best for new grads, but I decided to take the job while I was still in school. There are some good and some bad things about it. How do you feel overall about accepting it? I took the job on my floor because I knew the floor and thought it would be to my advantage to start there since I already have a comfort there. Another part of me wanted to look elsewhere. I wanted to work in Pediatric Oncology, a total 180 from where I am now. I thought I'll start on my floor and eventually move into that after I have my med-surg experience. I'm sure I still can, but the way I see it, I will see where life takes me. I'm comfortable where I am now, but know there is so many opportunity out there, that if I want to switch later I most likely can.

Other people who mentored me told me differently. They told me go straight to peds if that's what you want to do. Don't worry about getting your general exp prior to that. But honestly I still don't know.

I think it's a choice that will take time to make, but I will say this. I wouldn't put anything in stone yet. A part of me wishes I did. If they really want you, they will take you if you wait. A lot of people may disagree with me here, but the way I see it - if they don't, then they can't want you that bad. Just tell them you are interested, but you want to keep your options open to make sure you are making the right choice for YOU!!!!!!!

I would highly suggest you getting a hold of the nurse managers in the ICU's, let them know that you are working on this type of unit and will be graduating, but would like the opportunity to shadow to see how you would like the ICU. Or just apply and they will most likely give you a shadow experience before that.

I have no idea if any of that helped, but I hope it did. If you have any questions let me know.

Krider09 · Jan 14, 2009

Thank you Kmar, I definatley appreciate your advise. I never thought to contact the managers in the ICU and see if I could do some type of shadowing, especially becuase I get to limited exposure through school. Thanks again!

Krider