Which one should I choose?

Published

HI everyone. I really would like your honest input in the matter. I have been accepted to several patient care tech positions in 2 hospitals and I was wondering which floor will give me the most exposure to the field (unfortunately, none in the med-surg area). My choices are ER, Ortho, L&D and Cardio. I am still hoping to get med-surg but I need to tell them by Tuesday, the latest. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

I'd go with the ER position. I think it will give you a wide variety of experience, and you'll see a lot of different types of patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTAC, Critical Care.

If you can't get ER go with Cardio. It's never too early to start learning them rhythms.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Definitely ER...I've been in ERs where the techs do blood draws, insert foleys, and other procedures.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nope, procedures are easy to learn. Go Cardio and try to find a friendly doc who might teach you something along the way. Learning your cardiac stuff will take you far and wide. Get to know your rhythms and what they mean, and what is done for them :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ER or cardio for sure. floors that give you great skills and are the most interesting to graduate into. remember this is your job interview for when you are a nurse, so what kind of floor do you want to start out in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

ER would be #1 for me. You'll get to see a wide variety of patients and will learn valuable skills like autonamy, time management, and how to not panic. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Neuro, Cardiac, Step Down.

Cardio will present a variety of learning opportunities and give you a chance to get to know your patients. I also prefer the controlled environment of working the floor. Depending on the size of the hospital and type of ER you may get none of that. I do have a cardio bias tho!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVSICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.

I'd also vote for ER. The breadth of experience can't be replicated anywhere else. Cardio would be a close second, if you have any inkling that you'd like to make that your career.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, OB, public health.

I vote cardiac- you will gain a lot of valuable knowledge on how BP affects the regulatory systems like renal, etc. I know in nursing school a lot of my co-students struggled with those units, which are huge important units, but I didn't only because two of clinical semesters I lucked out and was on a renal/cardiac unit.

Also, EKG strips suck to read- I still struggle with them even after those experiences- so get a jump on it early!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you everyone. I was torn between ER and Cardiac as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

which one will you pick?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion