Grad Position Decision

[sazsaz]

Hi all,

I would greatly appreciate some career advice. I'm in a very fortunate position to have been offered two graduate RN postions - one in neonatology (12 months SCN followed by 12 months NICU) and one in pediatrics (12 months general med/surg followed by 12 months PICU). I'm very undecided about which opportunity to take. Many RNs have advised me that the neonatology option is specialising too early in my career, and would make moving to any other area of nursing very difficult. Should I start in pediatrics, gain a broad general knowledge-base, and aim to transition to neonatal nursing later in my career? Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

[Bobbkat]

I think it depends on what your interests and goals are. Do you aspire to become a neonatal nurse? If so, take the NICU position. Otherwise, the other position will give you experience with a broader age and diagnosis range. Good luck whichever you choose!

[babyNP., APRN]

What's your passion? Do you know what you want to do?

For me, I would be miserable doing anything but NICU. I would seriously consider quitting the profession of nursing if I couldn't do NICU. I'm reminded of this when I float to other units...last week I went to the cardiac ICU taking care of a toddler that was vented and biting on the tube and flopping around before I got some sedation/pain control underway. No way. Jose. would I _ever_ want to do _anything_ else.

That being said, if you really don't care for either more than the other, peds med-surg is a good way to start out. Or you could look at the individual units and see if you like staffing/mgt on one or the other better. But don't be afraid to choose NICU if you think that's what you love :) It's not an enormous leap from NICU to PICU as far as getting hired. Good luck!