Should I consider this job?

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health and Hospice.

I am currently working in a beautiful level IV NICU at a Children's Hospital. I recently decided I want to go back to FNP school in the future. That being said, I want to go to adult ICU. I have one year of Med-Surg background. I interviewed yesterday at a level 1 trauma center near me in their Trauma ICU. It sounds like they may hire me and I'm very on the fence about it.

The unit itself is small- 10 beds. It appears very messy and chaotic. There is no nurses station, just all the nurses sitting outside of the rooms with computers. I understand it is a trauma ICU and it may not be the most organized at all times, but it seemed overcrowded and anxiety-inducing. There is a tiny pathway to get through the middle of the unit, but otherwise there does not seem to be any room to move.

On another note, the scheduling is better than where I'm at now, the unit director and clinicians seem very easy to work with, and the team dynamic seems to vibe pretty well. Plus, I know that this unit gets some very interesting cases that I would love to be a part of.

I'm not sure if I should take this job if offered, or if I should keep looking elsewhere for another ICU position where things may seem more organized? If the floor seems "thrown about," I'm worried that the management and flow of the floor might be, too?

Another note: I am in no hurry to exit the NICU. I really like it, just do not want to be a NNP or do this forever and I do not want my knowledge base to get stuck to such a small area.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Hey Emm,

I am actually in a dilemma over becoming a NNP (I work in a level III NICU). May I ask, what are your reasons for not choosing neonatal NP?

As for your question, I would keep looking. Switching to another specialty can be difficulty, so you want to make the transition as smooth as possible. This unit doesn't sound conducive to good learning. There are others out there.

Also, I know some NICU nurses who went to FNP school and didn't bother to get any adult experience. So it is good that you are considering it!

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health and Hospice.
Hey Emm,

I am actually in a dilemma over becoming a NNP (I work in a level III NICU). May I ask, what are your reasons for not choosing neonatal NP?

As for your question, I would keep looking. Switching to another specialty can be difficulty, so you want to make the transition as smooth as possible. This unit doesn't sound conducive to good learning. There are others out there.

Also, I know some NICU nurses who went to FNP school and didn't bother to get any adult experience. So it is good that you are considering it!

I originally wanted to do NNP, but I want a more broad knowledge range. I am interested in all ages. I know a lot of fellow NICU nurses who NEVER ever want to work with adults or older kids. I like neonates, peds, adults (sometimes) and geriatrics so I did not want to consider something so specific. I just know I'd get good experience on this unit, but I feel like I would feel trapped. It is tiny and cluttered.. I do not like that. There are many good hospitals where I live so I'm sure something else will come up. Thank you for your input!

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Specializes in ICU.

In my opinion unit culture, staffing, leadership and the level of patient experience that you would get are more important than the unit being messy and having poor (physical) organization and structure. Think on the opposite end of the spectrum- You can have a glimmering beautiful brand spankin' new trauma ICU with poor leadership and a negative culture. That, in my opinion, would be a terrible place to work. Physical boundaries can be overcome with a great and motivated team. If the patient cases interested you and the culture seemed positive, I would go for it.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Hi,

I have a suggestion, should they offer you the position, ask if you can shadow for a few hours before you make the decision. This would give you a better idea of the flow of the unit than just a quick glimpse you may have gotten during the interview tour.

Annie

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health and Hospice.
In my opinion unit culture, staffing, leadership and the level of patient experience that you would get are more important than the unit being messy and having poor (physical) organization and structure. Think on the opposite end of the spectrum- You can have a glimmering beautiful brand spankin' new trauma ICU with poor leadership and a negative culture. That, in my opinion, would be a terrible place to work. Physical boundaries can be overcome with a great and motivated team. If the patient cases interested you and the culture seemed positive, I would go for it.

I never thought about it that way.. looks can be deceiving! This gives me something to think about. Thank you for your input!

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health and Hospice.
Hi,

I have a suggestion, should they offer you the position, ask if you can shadow for a few hours before you make the decision. This would give you a better idea of the flow of the unit than just a quick glimpse you may have gotten during the interview tour.

Annie

That is true. It may give me a better idea of the unit flow. It just seemed disorganized, all of it. They even called a few times to reschedule the interview and they were late for the interview, then couldn't find their papers, then spoke about how they never have enough staff, etc. Right in front of me! I just don't know. I'm torn.

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No. (comment must be at least 5 characters, but it doesn't change my answer) No.

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Specializes in Critical care.
That is true. It may give me a better idea of the unit flow. It just seemed disorganized, all of it. They even called a few times to reschedule the interview and they were late for the interview, then couldn't find their papers, then spoke about how they never have enough staff, etc. Right in front of me! I just don't know. I'm torn.

I would def. be asking why they never have enough staff and what they are doing to correct it. I would also ask to shadow and during the shadow I'd ask the nurses working about the short staff issue and their thoughts/impressions.

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I could not ever work in disorganization.

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health and Hospice.

I may just stay where I'm at for now and see if anything comes along that I am truly in love with. I just can't see myself going somewhere that "might" turn out to be fine if I'm perfectly happy where I'm at until I decide when I want to go to NP school. I'll still probably shadow then go from there. Thanks all for your advice!

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