u/Guilty_Coyote6012

Hi everyone! I'm reaching the end of what is considered a "new grad", currently at about 8 months experience now. Still ALOT to learn, but I'm trying to consider where to try to go once I hit my year. I accepted my current position because as we all know, CA's market is extremely oversaturated. However, it is a really bad hospital in both aspects of patient safety and staffing. I believe we are the most underpaid in the state, at about 41/hr... The pay isn't the issue, I just don't want to stay at a facility where I risk my license every day and get constantly floated to understaffed floors. That being said, I'm unsure if I want to pursue ICU or ED. When I first started nursing school, I always dreamt of becoming an ER nurse, but my views have somewhat changed after working as a stepdown unit RN this whole time. Something about the ICU is intriguing now, which is odd because I used to say I hated it. Any advice on figuring out what is best for me? Whether that be your own experience, or characteristics that are different from both. Thanks!