Pick my "poison"

2 So I will be interviewing for three adult, step-down units: Cardiac, Neuro and Medical. Granted, these are not my top choices and I doubt I will get offers for all three, but I am a new grad, so any offer would be fantastic.

I don't know how to do a poll, but which of the three would you prefer to work in? Which is most suitable for a new grad? Do you think a step-down unit is an inappropriate place for a new grad?

I am leaning towards cardiac because I find the heart to be fascinating, plus telemetry experience is a positive (though all step-down units would have them, right?) For those who have worked in any of these settings, what did you like/dislike about them?
I think medical would give you the most experience and leave you the least pigeon holes in the future.

I would choose either cardiac or neuro versus the catch all medical, it's easier to learn specialized care. Cardiac would be my first choice, I prefer the age of the general cardiac population.

The PP makes a good point that it would be a smaller information pool to learn in one of the specialty units. The best way for you to make this decision is to decide whether you want an easier transition to a specialty, with a bigger learning curve if you leave later, or a more difficult learning experience for something general that will make other jobs less challenging for you in the future. Up to you, I personally love medical for the variety. If you are really interested in cardiac, though, it may be worthwhile to go where your interests lie even if your initial education will be more limited. Good luck!

My least favorite choice would be neuro . . . I was exposed to lots of young males with head trauma from stupid stunts when I was a brand new nurse and I'd go home and have nightmares about it. That said, lots of people are fascinated with neuro, and neuro surgeons are well respected. I've found over the years that if you work for the service that is responsible for bringing the most money into the hospital, your unit gets newer equipment, less scrutiny, more "perks" than other services. In some places that's cardiac and in others it's neuro.That said, take the job you're offered. You wouldn't go wrong with any of the three in terms of learning how to be a nurse, gaining experience dealing with patients, visitors, physicians and ancillary services, learning time management or critical thinking. Any of the three would be an excellent "starter opportunity."If you are fortunate enough to be offered more than one job, I'm pretty sure you will find that one manager and one floor "feels" better to you than the others. That "feeling right" is you absorbing clues to the culture of that unit -- something you cannot really articulate but just FEEL. (Obviously, I cannot articulate it, either.) That, more than the specialty, will contribute more to your development as a nurse. If you fit in, you'll learn more and be more comfortable. And you may even learn to love the specialty of that unit as well.

I would go for cardiac or medical. Having a broad base of knowledge will help should you want a different job down the road.I also agree with Ruby, trust your gut. If something feels right or feels off, it probably is.

I just started on Medical stepdown (although I'm not a new grad) and we tend to get a lot of respiratory failure, COPD and the "dumpoffs" that no one else wants. Its a good learning experience - I have 2 trached, vented patients that are NEVER leaving (can't find placement for them), and you will get to know ABG's like the back of your hand as well as post surgical complications (had a patient perf his stomach!) etc...Cardiac stepdown is also cool because you get the day 3 open hearts and the fresh stents etc...

As an experienced nurse I would take Neuro.As a new nurse, what Ruby Vee said.Best of luck!!!

Good luck, PB!

All three specialties sound great. I would choose based of the unit, culture, and manager. Go with you instincts. The people you work with can Mae or break your career.

OP: They are all interesting in their own way and you'll get a "feel" for the unit via the manager and hopefully you will get taken on a tour of each of the units. I've seen some on here even advise to ask to shadow for a shift which I think is a good idea. Good luck!! Ruby Vee:I've found over the years that if you work for the service that is responsible for bringing the most money into the hospital, your unit gets newer equipment, less scrutiny, more "perks" than other services. In some places that's cardiac and in others it's neuro.

Quote from ThePrincessBrideSo I will be interviewing for three adult, step-down units: Cardiac, Neuro and Medical. Granted, these are not my top choices and I doubt I will get offers for all three, but I am a new grad, so any offer would be fantastic.I don't know how to do a poll, but which of the three would you prefer to work in? Which is most suitable for a new grad? Do you think a step-down unit is an inappropriate place for a new grad?I am leaning towards cardiac because I find the heart to be fascinating, plus telemetry experience is a positive (though all step-down units would have them, right?) For those who have worked in any of these settings, what did you like/dislike about them?

I personally would Not want to do Neuro. But that is just me, many people feel otherwise. Medical would expose you to many different types of patients and procedures, but if you think Cardiac nursing might be your wanted specialty then I would go for that. Basically if you're looking at getting a foot in the door, but believe that none of these three will be where you would want to go eventually, I'd pick Medical. Sometimes a nurse can get specialized in one area, then realize that's not really what they want to be doing in the future, but then find they are kind of pigeonholed. What I'm saying is if your ultimate goal is Mother/Baby, Pediatrics, Surgery, etc. take the Medical job as it will be seen more relevant to those positions in the future. Hope this makes sense.