1yr+ nurse got 2 good offers, PCU or Rehab Unit? HELP!

[T.Dix.Nurse]

I am so torn between these offers. I am a nurse for a year now but I barely don't have experience in an acute care setting. For a year, I worked in an ALF/LTC (It was very difficult to get a job in the hospital that's why I started in LTC).

After a year, I decided to advance my career so I started looking for a hospital jobs.

Luckily I got into 2 interviews (PCU transition program for no-hospital-experience RNs & the other is a rehab unit), nailed both of it, got the offered on both position.. SO now, I can't figure out which one to choose.

I know the obvious answer will be PCU. BUT the rehab unit position was from the a huge magnet hospital that has VERY good reputation, known to have good support with nurses, good benefits, has plenty of room for advancement (they even offer tuition fee reimbursement if ever I go to a graduate program). On the other hand, the PCU job but is located in a branched hospital in the country side. The drive there scares me but then again, for a new nurse like me, PCU would be golden for experience!

Despite of it, I'm giving the rehab position a hard thought because of the organization.

Anyhow, I just wanted to know anyone's opinion if it will be a good idea to take the rehab because of the hospitals reputation(*and hoping I could get transfer to a more acute care unit In the future.)? or shall I chose the PCU transitional nurse?

How hard would it be to transition from rehab to a PCU/CCU unit if ever I chose to rehab position????

I really am torn, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

(Sorry for bad grammars. English is my second language.)

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

rehab

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Given what you have said here, the rehab job sounds like you would be able to move laterally if you wanted to change from rehab to acute care or something else. It would not be the rut that rehab can turn into from the sound of it. That job sounds like the no brainer to me in this situation. Congratulations on your offers!

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Rehab. I started in rehab and loved it. gave me the experience to get a job in an ortho unit that is my dream job. I feel that working as a relatively new nurse in a PCU unit at a smaller hospital would put you in positions that you may not feel comfortable with. Not that you can't learn. I could have worked as a smaller community hospital or a huge Level 1 trauma center with a teaching hospital. I like having very experienced people around when things go bad. And really good physicians. get you foot in the door at the bigger facility. Much more opportunities in the future.

[caseyuptonurse]

I work in rehab and it's my first RN job. I LOVE it. The way you make it sound the staff is better at the rehab which can make or break a job. Supportive staff is so important, at least to me. Also if you can move laterally I would choose the rehab in the more reputable hospital. Who knows you may even want to stay in rehab. (; And rehab won't limit you, I've currently been interviewed for ICUs with my experience.

[RubicsCube]

Rehab. It"s a no brainer.

[T.Dix.Nurse]

Thank y'all.

Just an update. Yes, I did chose the rehab position and I never felt so good choosing it.

My first week of orientation make me feel I made the right choice. I found out they are a teaching hospital and there's ladder advancement.

The culture they are trying to promote and encourage to their employees and everyone is hands down great. So is the advancement of their equipment. I'm about to start my floor orientation this week and studying so I won't look stupid during my probationary period.