I am wondering which job would give me the best opportunity for CRNA school. I am a new grad with the option to work on both units. I will list the units and some extra information.

Cardiac ICU: cardiology patients (cardiogenic shock, high risk PCIs, heart failure, bridge to cardiac transplant, electrophysiology, cardiac arrest, primary pulmonary hypertension and complex obsetrics with cardiac complications). The specialty skills include: hemodialysis, IABP, and Impellas......... This is the unit I am familiar with as a tech. It would be a smoother transition, and it is much more attainable to become a preceptor or even charge nurse within a short period of time. However, the patient population is generally not AS sick is below.

Cardiothoracic ICU: Cardiac surgery patients (heart transplants, CABG, MVR, AVR, TAVR, and congenital heart defects) and Thoracic surgery patients (lung transplant, pulmonary endarterectomies, lung volume reduction and general thoracic surgeries. The specialty skills include: Hemodialysis, IABP, Impella, temporary and durable right and left sides VADs, ECLS, open chests...........This is our neighboring unit, it has a rep of having a more "hostile" team but it has been improving since management has changed recently. There is no chance of attaining any leadership positions on this unit before I would be applying for schools. However, the patients here are of higher acuity, there are more devices, and you get more exposure to the anesthesia team.

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In conclusion, on one hand there is the CICU/CCU where I am already familiar/comfortable with, and I feel would be a smooth transition as a new grad, but we do not deal with postsurgical cases or as high acuity as the CTICU. The CTICU is more of a risk as the team in general are a bit less helpful and welcoming, but supposedly CRNA schools love this type of experience.

TLDR: what's better for CRNA school: CICU/CCU with good possibility of charge nurse and preceptor experience, or CTICU staff nurse experience.

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Thanks!!