Need expertise: where to focus practice?

I've worked only PICU and NICU since I graduated nursing school 13 years ago. I, too, was very interested in cardiovascular nursing in school- which is why I think I love the PICU so much. My favorite PICU patients are CV surg pts- very challenging/very interesting defects/always improving procedures! In the 3 hospitals I have worked, the NICU keeps the babies pre op and then post-op they came to PICU (seemed to be the preference of the surgeons) I don't know if this is the case for all NICUs in general.

I've worked with some FABULOUS NPs that worked for the CV surgeons! They were PICU nurses before they went back for their masters- they worked in the clinic with the docs and did the follow up visits, helped manage meds, and did TONS of teaching with the families. At the hospital, they rounded with the docs and covered the PICU kids while the docs were in the OR. They were also in and out of the OR communicating with the families and PICU RN on the case and how things were progressing. They were WONDERFUL!

As for the adult population, I cannot offer any guidance. But, IMHO... I'd try a PICU- many hospitals are now breaking off Peds CVICUs, then you get the best of both worlds Can you try to get an externship or clinical rotation in one of the units you are interested in?