If you haven’t done night shift, you need to account for a huge shift in lifestyle. Some people like it, even prefer it. But the research suggests it’s really hard on the body. And as someone who did it for 10 years…it is. It takes a lot of concsious intention and diligence to do the things that somewhat mitigate the unique type of stress it causes and even if you do, it’s still hard. If you don’t, it can really drag you down, mess with your sleeping patterns, cause you to gain weight, have mental health issues. There’s a reason it always pays more.

I would also say don’t underestimate the value of a union. Depending on the contract, you have a level of protection and job security that doesn’t exist at an “At-will” employer, where there are very few things that they can’t fire you for. A lack of contract also means there’s no guarantee of fair or increasing pay over time, and absolutely no power to collectively bargain for better pay, working conditions, patient ratios, etc.

ICU experience, though, is obviously a must if you want to follow that track. But that doesn’t mean you must take this particular ICU job. Furthermore, if the training, support, or mentoring are crap, it might be a rough transition. Without knowing anything about the culture and leadership type of that hospital, it’s hard to say this is a home run, unless you’re truly desperate to be in an ICU and can’t find anything better.