Stuck on which internship to choose?

[OreoCookie3]

Hi all :)! How has everyone's day been? I recently passed the NCLEX and had an interview with HR today for a Nursing Internship program with the hospital system by where I live. The woman I interviewed with had me choose my top two preferences for internships and then she set up interviews with the directors of the units. I chose Orthopedics and Cardiac Care. The other units available were two med-surg units, a cardiac decision unit, a surgical progressive care unit, and a neuro/oncology unit. I did my practicum on a mother-baby unit and would like to work in this specialty one day, but I really want to start out with an internship to feel more comfortable with my skills, time management, etc. I don't have experience with orthopedics or cardiac care and have a more quiet/shy personality. I am interested in orthopedics because I had back surgery and I would love to know more about being a nurse in this setting. CCU seems interesting too but I am nervous because I'm not sure I could handle the critical care nature of the unit. I do feel more comfortable knowing that the internship is meant to teach me what I don't know, but I am nervous about the choices I made. Should I have chosen med-surg as one or both of the choices? Should I ask to switch one of the choices before the interviews, or would that reflect poorly on me? I am just hoping you guys might be able to give me some advice and shed some light on the situation! Have a great weekend!

[ruralgirl08]

I think you made a good choice. For a new nurse interested to one day go into Mother Baby, Orthopedics & Cardiac Care are two good choices, for what they offered you. It is very valuable to get some cardiac monitoring experience for a lot of specialty areas, especially if you were interested in training for: Labor & Delivery or NICU one day. You will need to get used to being under stress.

For you second choice: any surgical, ortho, or med-surg area would offer a decent background, to get the basic med-surg skills, needed for any nursing area. With a goal in mind, you can eventually get there with perseverance & hard work. Good Luck!

[OreoCookie3]

Thank you so much for your reply. I had the two interviews today with the orthopedic and cardiac units and should find out by tomorrow if I am offered either of the positions. I did see if I could switch one to med-surg but it was too late. Maybe one of these units is where I am meant to end up! I am nervous but hopeful. I am nervous about being able to handle the high-stress environments, but if I am offered a position I will try my very best and will work my hardest to be tough and become confident in all of my skills. I truly appreciate your advice and I hope all is well! :redbeathe