Which would you choose?

[kievstar]

Hello! This is my first time posting, but I have been reading this forum for several months now and I think it's really great. I am a new BSN grad and have been offered positions with two different hospitals, one in oncology the other in nephrology. Which do you think is the best choice for a new grad? Would you also base your choice on the hospital size since that may correlate to bigger budgets and resources and more opportunities? Thanks for your feedback.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would need a lot more information than was given in the OP to make a decision.

1. Whick unit offers the best work environment? (However YOU define that.)

2. Whick unit offers the best orientation and support for a new grad?

3. Are you particularly interested in either patient population?

4. Which unit has the best staffing?

etc. etc. etc.

[kievstar]

I was thinking more towards which area would provide me with the most/best opportunities to learn and grow. But, to answer your questions:

1. Oncology with 24 beds in a 301 bed hospital, ratio is 1:6, 3 day techs and 2 night techs; Nephrology with 30 beds in a 649 bed hospital (system wide there are 1138 beds), ratio is 1:5 sometimes 1:6, 3 day techs and 2 night techs.

2. Oncology 12 weeks orientation on both days and nights with plan to go to days; Nephrology 10 weeks orientation, perm night shift; coming in under their new grad RN program.

3. I really don't know where my "dream unit" is. I just want to learn as much as possible and get the experience and skills to be a good nurse no matter where I go.

4. Nephrology has 50+ staff members, that includes everyone. I can't recall the number for oncology.

Thanks for replying.