Choosing a preceptorship

[Sugar-Phosphate]

Hello fellow nurses and student nurses,

I am at the point in my nursing school education where I need to choose a preceptorship for my last semester. I need some guidance. My school, unfortunately, offers less guidance in this area.

A little about me.

I am enthusiastic and love pretty much every nursing area I have worked in. My passion however is pediatrics and long term, I am planning to work in a childrens emergency. Unfortunately, I do not see myself getting there in the next 5 years, as it is in the big city, and I need to pay off some debt before I move to a bigger city to accumulate more debt. I was recently hired as an employed student nurse in a surgical department, a rotation I have enjoyed. The short term 5 year plan, is to work in the City I live or in the next city, which is 20 minutes away. The hospital I am employed at for the summer is 20 minutes away.

I have 3 options I have chosen. We often get either our first or second option chosen, and rarely our third if one and two don't pan out. Please note, some of these are so rediculously superficial and should not be a factor

My options are as follows with pros and cons them:

Local Surgical department

Pros: City I live, Chances of hire post preceptorship are good, I have worked 2 rotations in school in this department specifically, low commuting time. Another area to get my foot in the door. great co-workers

Cons: no starbucks (yes this is a factor lol), smaller, older unit (lots of ortho, less variety), smells (again from older unit). Has been over a year since I have been on this unit, and with have to re-integrate myself. Less interested in this hospital when I graduate.

Next City Surgical department

Pros: I will have recent experience in this department after hire, already familiar with unit working dynamics --> decreased learning curve, integration in department already present, familiar with doctors, protocols and local numbers. Has a starbucks. I would like to work in this hospital when I graduate, newer hospital and more holistic approach to care.

Cons: what if I hate working in this unit this summer, then I need to work there for 46 shifts as a preceptor student, risks of role confusion from working student (limited scope) to a preceptor student (widened scope), It would limit my chances of a hire somewhere else. (all my eggs in one basket so to speak)

Pediatrics Next City Hospital (same as surgical unit above)

Pros: my passion, I fit the best in this rotation, I would love to work here upon graduation, then move to a larger childrens hospital later, great for work experience and long term career goals. Great working atmosphere. Has starbucks.

Cons: it has been 3 years since this rotation, and learning curve is steep (everything from assessments to work-place relationships). I wonder if I was passionate about this area because my instructor was so incredible (is it truly my passion or was I idealistic). As a student we were limited in skills when working with children and I am intimidated with my knowledge and skills for this area (another reason to choose surgical - get my skills cemented before this area). Lastly, getting a job here is risky, and I may be closing off a door for another area.

Any insight?

-Sugar_Phosphate