Trauma ICU or NICU?? Advice please!

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Hey everyone! I need some advice from you guys out there. Im a new nurse with 4 months of Burn ICU experience.

I'm currently in a situation where I have a job offer in a Surgical/Trauma ICU or a Neonatal ICU. I'm interested in both. I know ultimately it's my decision in the end, but is there any advice anyone could lend? Those of you in STICU and NICU, what helped to make your decision?

Thank you guys so much!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Well, why are you leaving your job in the burn ICU in the first place? What draws you to trauma and what draws you to the NICU? What are your long term goals? If you go to the NICU it will be more difficult to come back to adults.

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Well a deep look at how you really feel about peds is a place to start. I used to think I could do that until I did and it just shattered my soul. I couldn't handle seeing sick kids. Adults I have no problem but the little ones? No. H*** no.

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Surgical/Trauma will probably feel more similar to what you've gotten used to in the burn unit. Since you're a new nurse, I think this would work in your favor. But like jamisaurus said, you need to think about your goals. If you've dreamed of going into pediatrics since day one, then by all means head to the NICU and see how you like dealing with those little tykes. But if you're just looking to get out of the burn unit (which is the toughest ICU I've ever floated to - I know I couldn't even last 4 months), then I would suggest trying surgical/trauma. You'll still get plenty of ICU excitement, but without the 4 hour dressing changes and screams of pain from the tank room.

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Why are you looking to leave your current job after only 4 months? Knowing what you don't like about that job might make it easier to offer advice.

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Thanks for all of the replies! I'm in a new graduate program that rotates to all of the ICUs in the hospital and burn just happens to be my first rotation. Burn is just not for me. I'm not a huge fan of the humongous dressing changes that accompany that unit.

NICU has always been at the top of my list and they finally have an opening. STICU also has openings.

I guess it's just a matter of me deciding what's best for myself. I just don't want to hop from unit to unit. Again, thank you for all of your replies!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

If NICU has always been an interest of yours and the position is open now, I would go for it!

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