Which Transition to Practice Program should I choose??

[ArizonaNurseStudent]

am in need of some advice...any input is much appreciated!! I am a senior nursing student in Arizona and I was offered a few Transition to Practice Internships at hospitals....and I am trying to decide which one to go with to hopefully end up in PICU one day!

1) Phoenix Children's Hospital: General Peds

Pros:

Well-known hospital nationwide

Happy nurses--they all love their job

Night-Shift (Easier scheduling)

Good chance of job offer after

Explore in-depth if peds is for me!

Generally known to be competitive entry

Hone time management skills w/ multiple pts

Staff usually great teachers

20-25 minute commute

I love working w/ kids--have three yrs paid experience with children with special need

Cons:

Only one hospital location

General Med-Surg floor

Night-Shift may offer less pt interaction

Restricted to pediatric skills

2) Osborn HonorHealth: ICU (Level 1 Trauma)

Pros:

I LOVED my adult ICU days! (though not here)

Level 1 Trauma Center: high acuity

Potentially more critical thinking

Great resume builder anywhere

Good chance of job offer after

Multiple hospital locations

Recognized as one of top specialty hospitals in Arizona

Day-shift (no shifting sleep schedule)

5-10 minute commute

Cons:

Harder to coordinate with classes maybe

Controversial upper manangement

Pediatrics at another hospital location

No peds

Less opportunity of learning to juggle multiple pts

Not particularly know as being competitive to get in

What do you think?? Should I start in general peds and work my way up (and make sure I want peds) or go to ICU and build my resume to a more general audience? I'm torn because Phoenix Children's might be hard to get into if I do end up deciding to want to work there--any advice appreciated!

[cyclone67]

Personally, I think that if you want to ultimately work in Peds then you should get the "in" with the pediatric hospital. Plus you will have more peds experience for your resume. Also, a big plus is the happy employees -- that is huge. The other place sounds like it has some drama with management. Some red flags there in the ICU position for sure.