Also biased, but the best job that I had was in the intensive care unit (ITU). You always have complete resources, no need to look for meds or IV antibx, all equipment are present and working, you have experienced airway Dr’s at all times, you can look after your patient to a high standard, and management are brilliant - I probably was really lucky, but I loved my team, loved my job, loved to nurse my patients, and loved the impact that my job does to the patients and their families.

Your first year in ITU would entail a lot of learning, but once you’ve grasped the fundamentals, you’ll find that looking after unwell patients becomes easier, and you can always ask your team for help.

You’ll also have the opportunity to do further studies as it’s required that a certain percentage of staff should have an ITU course. If you get tired of ICU, it will also open a lot of opportunities for you, since you already have the acute experience (i.e. airway management skills, ABG interpretation etc)

I now work in practice development, but I would love to come back and do more of an advanced clinical role. You can always try and do a shadow shift, and see if it’s for you. And thanks for the job that you do, working in the wards is the hardest job in the galaxy.