RN Residency Contract: Opinions Needed!

[AGirlisNoOne]

Not asking for legal advice; however, asking for opinions. With that said, everything stated below will be considered as your opinion and NOT as legal advice.

So, there are a few topics floating around on AN about new grads wanting to break contracts simply because they found a better job, and I am having trouble finding opinions on my situation.

I am more concerned about what I may have gotten myself into. I signed a contract to work full time for a minimum of 2 years and if I get fired "with cause", decide to leave, transfer within the hospital where my skills can't be used, drop down to PT, PRN, I will owe the facility big bucks.

I am currently working on a step down unit, 1:5 ratio 2 techs on the floor, 24 beds. I was told a few months ago this was expected to change to a ratio of 1:4, 3 techs at full capacity by a certain time frame. Well, that came and went and no changes were ever made. Experienced nurses come and go on this unit. I've been at this facility for several months now, and am realizing there are things that make working on this unit unsafe, high risk. As a new nurse, the risk just triples instantly. That's a given. Currently a majority of the "staff" are now agency/travel nurses or floaters from other units. New management is temporarily taking over and I can't help but to feel like they have been more on the intimidating side. It's been more about image/patient satisfaction than patient safety.

My previous manager kind of chalked it up to be the new nurse woes and "that it gets better with time" however, when I see experience nurses say being on this floor is "way too much work", or "unsafe", "no accessible/defined protocols" for things, but then tell me "It's good for you because you can learn how to handle really tough situations" ...That just concerns me!

I feel stuck.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Seems like you had a very clear understanding of the terms of the contract when you signed it. So, yes - you are obligated to full those terms. I can certainly understand your dissatisfaction with the all the changes you've described. It's always unsettling when there is a lot of turnover and you have to deal with shifting priorities that arise when new managers take over.

If there are actual patient safety issues... not "might be" or "could cause a problem" .... utilize your employer's reporting processes to deal with them. Fill out those incident reports for any "near misses" that occur. This is much more effective than just verbalizing and complaining. Make sure you strictly adhere to organizational policies and procedures - don't cut corners, no matter how rushed or stressed you are.

Your license can only be impacted by the decisions you make. If you feel that you are not competent or able to handle an assignment, take appropriate actions to make yourself heard. In my state, nurses can invoke a formal 'safe harbor' process which offers them protections... does your state have something similar?

I hope things settle down for you in the very near future. Take care of yourself and continue doing the right things rather than the easy things.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I strongly agree with HouTx (as usual). If you are going to continue to work there, do all the stuff she suggested.

However ... you do not have to stay. If you want to leave, make a plan to pay the penalty and leave. It's a business deal to the hospital and it should be just a business deal to you. Don't feel guilty if you decide to leave: just do it according to the terms of the contract you signed. You don't owe them anything more than that. Save you money and maybe work some overtime to save more. Set it aside so that you can use it to buy your freedom someday.

... and with your next job, investigate the working conditions more carefully before you accept the position.