OB vs. Peds

[lilbear]

Hey guys! I'm new here, but I'm a nursing student graduating with my BSN in May. I have been given two awesome job offers, both of which I would enjoy. One is for pediatric neurology and the other is for mother/baby. Basically, I'm wondering which option would give me the best foundation for the rest of my career. I am interested in eventually becoming either a pediatric or a neonatal nurse practitioner.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Is the peds position a hospital or clinic job? I ask because I haven't heard of a dedicated pediatric neurology floor outside of a children's hospital.

Mother/baby will give you lots of experience with healthy newborns and those with mild illnesses. It also may give you good opportunity to transfer to a NICU position in the future, especially if the hospital has a NICU. If the peds neuro position is in a hospital, you'll get good experience with children a variety of ages and illnesses. Often kids with neurological disorders have co-morbidities- mobility issues, feeding difficulties, respiratory compromise. It will be a more well-rounded pediatric experience than mother/baby, where more than half your time will be spent caring for the mothers as well.

Either position would be a great place to start your career. It may help you decide whether your interest is in neonates or pediatrics. Remember to consider salary, insurance packages, schedule, tuition reimbursement, commute, and other benefits of each position.

[lilbear]

It is a children's hospital! And the mother/baby hospital also has a level III NICU which is great. Thank you very much for the reply! I definitely have a lot to consider! The peds job pays more but it is also in a more expensive city to live in, haha