Not sure where to go from here

So I have been a nurse for a whole 8 months. I know this makes me a newbie to the field. Before I was a nurse, I was a researcher and professor. I got my PhD in biology and taught at various universities for 5 years before I ultimately decided I was unhappy and needed a change. I am still pretty young (30's) so am not considering retirement anytime soon. For the past 8 months, I've been working in a relatively large rehab facility. I love my job: I enjoy the patients, the people I work with, my day to day routine. Especially now since we have beat covid-19 in our facility (at least for now) . We got hit very hard and had many deaths.

I am moving next month to southern California. I went through the hoops of getting my CA RN. And have actively been applying to jobs for a month or so. I have had a few interviews so far and one solid offer. I am just not sure where I should work or what I should do. I am acutely aware that my limited experience limits me in many ways.

One thought was to apply to a nurse residency program at the local children's hospital. There is a great residency program and Rady Children hospital in San Diego, that I would think I might really enjoy. And it would give me a lot of experience. I enjoyed my peds rotation and have worked with kids in the past. Problem is, its super competitive. I've logged quite a chunk of time with volunteering at chidren's hospitals prior to becoming an actual nurse, have decent grades (3.6) and pretty positive recs from my current job. Plus I guess a PhD doesn't hurt. But it is super competitive, so I'm not putting all my eggs in that basket.

I have a job offer in LTC- wages are lower than I would like, and benefits really suck. But it's a job offer. I know I do NOT want to work in LTC for my entire career. I don't hate it, I am just hoping for a little more excitement and variety.

I've had an interview with the Veterans Hospital as a research nurse. Sounds cool, but I don't know if that's necessarily a path I want to take. I was a researcher for 6 years and I am not sure if I wouldnt grow tired of it as I have in the past.

I had another interview at a non-profit and the wages and benefits sounded great and the position sounded exciting. It's working in outpatient, which could be cool.

I had another interview with a detention center by the boarder. That sparked my interest. But I haven't yet to hear back.

There are just lots of options, and I'm just not sure where to go and what to do. I love working with kids and younger populations. I enjoy mental health. Part of my current job is working in memory care and with patients with some pretty sever mental issues. I imagined myself really wanting to work in an ER or pedi ER or ICU, but all of those things require critical care experience, and I don't have that at all.

Sorry for the long rant. I just was wondering if anyone was in a similar place, or have been in a similar place and could offer insight/ wisdom/encouragment.