Which internship to take?

[JulyRN80]

I am so grateful to be in the position I am, but I have to make a very hard decision between three new grad internships. I really am torn and don't know what to do so I thought maybe some of you might have some advice!

JOB #1:

-This is a general women's services floor. They take overflow from mother/baby and antepartum as well as women recovering from gyn surgery. They also take med surg overflow (women only). Small staff and limited resources as the charge nurse has a full patient load and there is no secretary. Night shift, commute would be about 30 minutes. Hospital system has a great reputation. I'm leaning towards turning down this one.

JOB #2:

-Newborn nursery, night shift. Very busy women's services department in a lower income part of town. The babies generally room with their mothers, but there are separate mother and baby nurses. Commute is 30 minutes. Hospital system has a so-so reputation in the community.

JOB #3:

-63 bed level III NICU. Not sure if it will be day or night shift. Commute would be about 20-25 minutes. Excellent hospital system with a national reputation.

My career goal has been to work in newborn nursery or NICU, never expected to have to choose between the two. What would you do??

[lilnursey'15]

I would choose job 3 since you've always wanted to work NICU and this hospital has a national reputation. Try talking to people who already work there, ask to shadow. Finally listen to your gut, if something feels off don't chance it. :)

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Job 3 since you always wanted to work NICU or Newborn Nursery. If you don't like NICU you can transfer to newborn nursery easily. The hospital has a good reputation and you may have a choice of shifts!

Job 1 sounds like a dumping floor with poor resources.

Job 2 is at worse hospital which may mean a harder patient population.

[smilesweet]

I agree Job #3. I've actually worked on floors similar to all the jobs you've mentioned.

I suggest starting in NICU - it is always easier to go from more acuity to less than the other way around. If you only have experience in mother/baby or well newborn nursery it will be much more difficult to move up to a NICU if you find the pace of M/B to be too slow for you. As for me, I currently work in a Level IV NICU and love it!

If your career goal is NICU or well baby nursery I would definitely start with NICU! :) Good luck! and Congrats!

[JulyRN80]

Thanks for your input, everyone. I just accepted the NICU job!

[llg, PhD, RN]

#3. If it doesn't work out, whatever NICU experience would help you get a job in a lower level nursery. It's not uncommon for a good nurse to say, "The ICU didn't fit me as well as I thought it would ..." as a reason for leaving. But the learning you do there would be valued by other nurseries looking to hire someone.

I hope that makes sense.

Edit: You posted while I was writing ... Congratulations! I think you made the right choice.