What's best for my future?

[<3nursing0329]

So I work at a really great hospital on an adult unit, but once I finish my nursing degree (in 2 years) I really want to work in peds because it's been my dream since I was in 8th grade. There are openings at the childrens hospital ran by the same company as the hospital I work for and I have applied for a couple of jobs there. My problem is that I've only been working at this job since the end of May and I would feel really bad quitting this early. I love the people that I work with and my boss is really caring and just a great boss. I think that if I started working in peds as a CNA then I would have a better chance getting right into peds once I am an RN. What would you guys do? Would you stick it out at this job and maybe a year down the road try to switch into a peds job? Or would you go directly to peds and get as much experience as possible? I know it's not even a guarantee that I will get a job at the children's hospital, but on the chance that I do....what would you do in my position?

[yousoldtheworld]

To be honest, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Yes, it looks better to stay at a job for a long time. But, when it comes down to it, it's more important to get experience in an area that you are interested in. I wouldn't quit until you have a job offer, but it's more important to do what's best for YOU.

Seeing that you left one job after a few months probably won't be a deal breaker. It'd be different if you had a long history of job hopping or something. I can tell you that I had a total of 4 different jobs in 5 years before I started my current job (due to moving for school twice, and just terrible facilities the other two times), and I still never had trouble landing my current job.

It's also a good idea to give peds a shot as a CNA just in case you find out that you don't like it, after all. I worked in geriatrics and at a hospital before I started at a children's home, and it's a biiiiig change. I love it, but it's definitely not for everyone!

[<3nursing0329]

Thanks for the quick reply. That's pretty much what I figured, I would just feel bad leaving so many great people. The job I applied for is in the PICU and I am just worried that I would become too emotional with a job like that. But maybe it would make me tougher, and better able to deal with other difficult situations. All I know for sure is that I'm over thinking this lol. Thanks for your input though.

[yousoldtheworld]

So many aides are planning to become nurses and the like, so most people will be really understanding about wanting to do a job that more closely relates to your career goal. :)