Acute care or public health: which is better as a first RN job?

[RNbubu]

I have been fortunate to receive 2 job offers. One of these will be my first RN job:

Offer 1: to work for the local county running a program for children with moderate to severe disabilities. It's kind of a school nurse job, except that I'd only have children with disabilities. I'd oversee 5 LVNs and 1 health aid. Not much hands on, my job would be more like an office job, making sure all the paperwork is in place, screenings are in order, etc, etc. It is full time with benefits, a lot of time off and M-F 8-5, which is a plus considering I'm a single mom. The previous nurse is retiring and can train me for 2 weeks.

Offer2: to work at the hospital I precepted, telemetry. It is a per diem position, no benefits. Per diem staff works varied shifts, basically I'd be expected to fill in whenever there is a vacancy regardless of the shift. Obviously the hourly pay is higher that offer #1. But on the other hand I don't know how many shifts I can get a month (I'm guaranteed 8 shifts a month). Historically, per diem staff is offered a part- or full-time benefitted position within 8-12 months.

I cannot accept both: even though offer #2 is per diem, I'm expected to work full time during the first 8 weeks while I orient. This would coincide with job#1 hours.

So undecided!! there are pros and cons to both.

I feel if I take position #1, I might never be able to transition to acute care later on. But it does sound great to have those hours being a single mom.

Comments appreciated!

[RunBabyRN]

I vote for job #1, but let me ask, what is your ultimate goal? Do you have a particular specialty in mind for your career? If tele is what makes you tick, and you can squeak by on per diem until something more solid is offered, go for it. The stability and hours of #1, with you being a single mom, are what make me say to take that, but follow your heart. :)