Choosing a preceptorship

Not necessarily (any experience is good experience really) but it will be nice to have a peds preceptorship to gain some good contacts for when you start looking for that first position!

It definitely wouldn't hurt, all for the experience, the resume dressing, and the networking opportunity.

However, not getting a peds preceptorship isn't necessarily the kiss of death to your dreams, so if you don't end up with peds preceptorship, don't give up hope.

I would certainly try for it but, as the others have said, if you don't get it, it's not the end of the world. I got my first job for the sole reason that my preceptorship was on that floor and my preceptor recommended me to the director and the vast majority of people I know who came to this pediatric hospital as new grads had connections. I did also know other people who transitioned from the adult world into peds though.