Should I apply for an internal position if...

[mcluvin]

Should I apply for an internal position within my hospital if management just gave me a recommendation for nursing school? I am a CNA at a big tertiary hospital and I currently work on the adult oncology unit. I want to gain experience with children and infants and two positions (both part time and both night shift, perfect for me) have opened up at my hospital. I am apprehensive about telling my manager I want to apply as they just gave me a recommendation for nursing school. It isn't as though I don't like my floor (I have learned a lot from them and appreciate everything they have done for me and taught me) but it has been over a year there and I would really like to gain some experience caring for kids and interacting with their parents. I plan to keep my part time CNA job throughout nursing school, BTW, so if the new job took me on they would have me for quite a while.

What does everyone think they would do? Should I just stay on my floor and wait it out until I get a decision on nursing school? If I don't get into school, I also feel I would be happier long term in the NICU or the children's hospital.

Thanks in advance for any insight!