Soon to be graduate... accept ICU position or a med-surg position??

[nightingalnurse2013]

I am about to graduate a second degree accelerated program. I have been offered a position on a Neuro ICU floor at a lesser known hospital, and I have been offered a position on a general med-surg floor at an amazing teaching hospital of a university hospital. Both positions offer roughly the same beginning wages and hours, but ICU has always been where I wanted to work. The staff and management of the ICU is amazing and they really want me there. I do not know much about the people on the med-surg floor. At the university hospital there is a great opprotunities for education advancement. My main concern is this... Is there more opprotunity of an ICU floor at a little known level 2 hospital or at the level 1 university hospital on the med-surg floor? Which would be best for future advancement?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Welcome to Allnurses.com!

Some would say to start in med/surg due to the wide foundation it offers.

However, if you already know that ICU is where you want to be, why don't you cut to the chase and start in ICU? Good luck with whatever you decide.

[PedRN86]

Normally I would say go for the med-surg position at the bigger hospital, but if you know you love the staff (and they love you!) at the smaller hospital's ICU I would say start there. Being part of a supportive environment that you enjoy makes a huge difference when you're starting out. It can be very tough getting into ICU as a new grad and you'll be offered lots of training and experience opportunities. You may find in a few years you have the opportunity to move to the bigger hospital if you're still interested. Good luck!

[Blacksapphire 18]

I would go where my heart was initially set on. It's always great to have co-workers that you get along with. You already have a relationship with the staff in the ICU department go for it. Being that your a new nurse you will need the support your co-workers will provide. As with most things in life, we think that higher recognition is better but we often time finds that smaller and simplier fits us perfectly. Best wishes to you with your decision!

[Music in My Heart]

If you want to work in critical care and you have the offer in front of you, you'd be silly to take the m/s position - presuming, that is, that the NSICU position has a good precepting program. Otherwise, you could be thrown to the wolves, chewed up, and spit out with a career in a shambles before you even got it going.

I jumped from a level nothing ED to a level 1 ED with nothing in between... I would not have been able to go from the small m/s to the L1 ED, either in selection or in preparation.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

If I could reverse time and knowing what I know now....I would be in that Neuro ICU in a minute. Ive been working on a acute med-surge floor for almost 3 years now and cant seem to find a preceptorship into a ICU.....I would go straight to the ICU especially if they offer a preceptorship....

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

If you want ICU and the ICU wants you, what is there to even think about?

[seungk5]

I would choose ICU in a heartbeat!

I am a new grad looking for ICU or med surg position as well but my heart and passion is def ICU.

Where did you get these offers? I am a bit jealous I am applying everywhere and waiting desperately for a position!