New grad first job - peds or adults?

[imagineyou]

Hi all! Looking for some feedback and and advice of what you think is a "better" option. I graduate from an RN program in December and am starting to apply for jobs. I currently work as a tech on a pediatric floor, and although I never thought about peds before this job, I have grown to love it a lot. There is a good possibility they will offer me a position as a new grad as I have previously discussed it with my boss. 

My dilemma is that even though I love the floor, the nurses, manager and the patient population, I am not 100% that I want to do peds forever and I worry transitioning to adults later on will be hard. I'm also worried that there are skills I won't get to do much with kids (as I've been told by nurses on my floor) and that worries me a bit. I'm also concerned about having issues with nurses/techs getting used to me/not respecting me as a nurse and not a tech, especially considering I've been there for 2 years.

 My gut tells me I should start out in adults. I have an opportunity to interview with a lower acuity adult ICU where I did clinical and I feel like I could learn A LOT there. I absolutely loved it. But if I started there, I don't feel like I could really go back to my peds floor if I hated it. I feel like that would be weird to turn down an offer from them and them return a year later or whatever. And I feel like I'm crazy for turning down a position on a floor I'm already comfortable in. 

SO. Any advice? any input from people that have worked both? anyone else feel torn between these 2 vastly different populations?

If you worked peds vs adults, what did you like/dislike about each?

[Sour Lemon]

I think it would be harder to transition from adults to children than children to adults. For one thing, most people who need nursing care are adults. And if I remember correctly, medication dosing is more precise and frequently weight based with children. Don't their vital signs even vary by age?

I have only worked with adults, though.

[imagineyou]

On 9/14/2020 at 10:56 PM, Sour Lemon said:

I think it would be harder to transition from adults to children than children to adults. For one thing, most people who need nursing care are adults. And if I remember correctly, medication dosing is more precise and frequently weight based with children. Don't their vital signs even vary by age?

I have only worked with adults, though.

Thanks for the reply! That’s a good point. Seems foolish to me to leave a unit, coworkers and management I love and am comfortable for my first job as an RN. But the potential ICU job is SO hard to pass up. I was only there for one day but I got reaaaally good vibes and was honestly humbled that they asked me to come interview on the spot like that for such a competitive new grad spot.

Rationally I know the ICU will be there forever. And you’re right, there are more sick adults than kids. And my peds floor is progressive, so it would give me good experience too. 
ugh I’m just really overthinking this haha. 

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

Well I'd go with the adult ICU and here's why -

if you can cut it there and you still want to do peds later, you can do it.  In my experience, adult-critical-care nurses are welcomed into the peds world a little more readily than the other way around.  

Also, I think the best time to work on your current peds floor as an RN - is AFTER you have spent some time in the work-world away from them.  It is exactly for the reason you suggested - the transition from seeing you as CNA to nurse will be difficult for them.

If you leave on good terms and go get some bonafide experience under your belt, they will be MORE than happy to welcome you back because:

1.  You left on good terms

2.  You left to get critical care experience

3.  If/when you come back - you are coming back solidly as a nurse (with some impressive experience) in their eyes.  Time away will help them disassociate you from the CNA role.

4.  If/when you come back - it is an obvious huge compliment to that peds floor - that you would want to come back to them even after having other experiences.  

Not very many people can do both kids and adults and/or have experience in both.  It may end up being a pretty highly valued skill set for you later down the road.