Where to request practicum/internship?

[MissChloe]

Our school does a precepted practicum program (like an internship) in the last semester and it's time to put in our requests. We get to pick top two hospital choices and then top two unit requests within each hospital. We are allowed to request specialty units if we meet certain requirements (GPA, med/surg clinical instructor okays it, etc.), which I do meet. I'm really struggling to figure out where to choose, though. I know what hospital to request, since there's one in particular I'd like to work at, but unit? NO clue. I am interested to some degree in PACU, peds, labor/delivery, and ICU and am open to other stuff, too. I'm not one of those people with a calling to a particular unit or specialty. I'm thinking of requesting a med/surg unit, but it seems like EVERYONE else is requesting a specialty and maybe I'm making a mistake by not getting the specialty experience?

If you were me, what would you choose?

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

I am precepting right now in the ICU and I will be honest. It was my last pick and I dreaded the thought of it. But I got in there and started working and fell in love with it. I have done more skills in my 5 days (so far) than I have done in any of my other clinicals combined. I've done a foley, IVs, vents, teaches, CRRT, blood draws, PICC line care, Central line care...you get the point. The problem with PACU and L&D is that you have one patient and don't do a whole lot of skills. In PACU your patient leaves within an hour. I have a job already lined up in the OR but I am SO glad for my experience in the ICU.

[MissChloe]

Thank you for your input! I hadn't thought of it that way! I was thinking med/surg would be good to work on foundation skills but it sounds like the ICU might be a good place to do that as well!