HELP!!! New grad with two great choices...

[MomtoThree]

I need help from people with a good knowledge base.

Im a new graduate BSN who has worked as a tech through out school on an adult hem/onc floor at major hospital in my area. Its known for its excellence and it makes me so very proud to tell people i worked there because of its reputation. However, the adult population has left me less than passionate about working there. My boss there just offered me a .5 EVE RN job there starting in a month. I want to be at the location, but Im not sure I want to work with that population. There is a pediatric hospital at this institution that I could transfer to in a few years.

I also have an offer from another major institution that is a pediatric only hospital, for an RN .9 in the Peds ER. Its EVES/NIGHTS and the institution is a great pediatric hospital but not so great in the area its located at. I dont want to be at this hospital forever but I do want to be a pediatric nurse and this is my dream job!

The pay, vacation, benefits are all comparable to each job. The only choice here is do I work with the population that I want (peds) or at the place that i want to be at? Or is this all in my head and its getting hard to decifer because I see my friends and comfortable place at my old job???

I need objective opinions based on what is the RIGHT choice for me based on a career path??? If I want to be a peds nurse-- do I take the PEDS job? Or stay at the hospital I want, get the med surg experience and try to transfer in a few years???

[cindyk123]

Going to a new place and new faces is never easy. That said, I think you should go to your dream job and take the Peds ER job. The experience you will get there will be great and you then can transfer to a better place once you get the experience. Peds jobs are hard to come by as a new grad, I would jump at this great opportunity!

Good luck with what ever you decide!

[FinallyLPN,RN]

I agree with the previous post, take the peds er position! It is hard to come by a peds job especially in the er and especially as a new grad! You will have a great experience! Good luck!

[Summers_Off]

In my opinion, where the hospital is located is a very minor consideration unless you have to walk to work or take public transportation. Dream job hand down! Maybe I am biased though. I go to less than desirable places for a job that is FAR from my dream (I am a HHA).

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

This is only my opinion but I think having a couple of years of peds ER experience will be worth far more than the same time in adult hem/onc when it comes time for you to start applying to the children's hospital of your choice. The ER job will give you a leg up on jobs in PICU, NICU and general peds while the other job will only give you time management and prioritization skills. I'm biased because I've only ever worked peds but I do think you should follow the gut feeling that's telling you ER-ER-ER!!

[MomtoThree]

Thank you everyone. I think my emotions and the fear of a new place, new coworkers, new role are getting to me! Thank you so much for all the unbiased objective opinions!!