PCU or Neuro units?

Hi all!

I am a new grad who started a position in the Neuro ICU. It was too much for me to handle as a brand new nurse and as a result, I was let go. However, the manager is assisting me in transferring to a less intensive unit that will better help me enhance and polish my skills. So far, I have interviewed with the regular Neuro floor and the Spine unit. I have interviews coming up with Ortho and Stroke as well. Spine seemed to be quite a bit for me as well, but I got a good vibe from the Neuro floor and it seemed a lot more calmer and supportive for a new grad. I just found out that I am also being considered for PCU, which I hear is a step-down from ICU.

My question is...do you guys feel that for a new grad RN would regular Neuro be better or PCU to start out in? (I guess I'm concerned about PCU because I had such an overwhelming experience in the Neuro ICU, but then again it is technically less critical).

Any advice is much appreciated!
I think you'd better wait for your interview on PCU to make that assessment. New grads can succeed in PCU. What is the ratio there?
Lev <3, some friends of mine work in PCU (also new grads) and said the ratio is 5 or 6 patients to 1 nurse. They both mentioned it's a tough unit and if something easier opens up, then to consider the easier unit to start in. However, one of them said even though it's difficult, she still likes working there. But, yeah, I'm interviewing tomorrow and I'll see how it comes across in the interview. On the plus side, at least I have options
Yeah, 5-6 is a lot for PCU. Makes you wonder what the ratios are for medsurg...It may be not so good to join a unit with a bunch of other new grads...PCU is really good experience though. Is there another stepdown unit that they would let you try out?
Yeah, I had my interview yesterday and was offered the job an hour later. I haven't made up my mind yet, so they're giving me some time to think about it. The PCU Manager showed me around and said that the shift is days only with 4-5 patients per nurse. The hospital is really new, only 10 minutes from my house, and the unit has been known to take new grads. I spoke with another nurse who is now in Postpartum (where I would eventually like to try one day) and started on the same PCU as a new grad, where she worked for 3 years. She mentioned it was tough, but that she learned everything there and had lots of support, all of which helped her become a terrific Postpartum nurse. I emailed the manager to ask if I can shadow before making up my mind, so hopefully I can get a feel for what it would be like. The Neuro floor has still offered me the job too, and the manager told me I am free to come in and shadow there as well. Both managers seemed very supportive and compared to the Neuro ICU, the units seemed more at bay. I will try the shadowing and see how it feels. I did stop by the regular Med-Surg Unit at the hospital and dropped off my resume to the manager, even though they don't have any open positions right now. Other than that, I am also shadowing a Stroke Unit and will see what happens
Oh yeah, and the Neuro and Stroke floors are at another hospital (same health system, just different locations), which is farther away from me (30-40 minutes), but great reputation too. Location wise PCU would be great, but I don't want to get into something that will be too much for me as a new grad. Shadowing the units will probably help me narrow it down further
Let us know how it goes!