Help! Travel nursing or fulfill a contract?!

[teresagray]

I need some advice and guidance maybe some reassurance. I am 26 years old and nursing is a second degree career. I got the opportunity of a lifetime- an icu residency straight out of nursing school and had a rigorous orientation for six months at a level 1 trauma center in the MICU. It's been 1 year since my initiation to nursing, totaling 18 months of rn-icu experience (6 months orientation + one year RN)

I want to pursue travel nursing. I feel as though if I don't take the time do it now, I may never get to this opportunity to do it. It allows me to get out of my comfort zone before I get married in 1 year. I am leaning towards going but it's a complex situation.

I have a 2 year contract (excluding the 6 month residency training) with the hospital and I would need to pay $7,000 fine since I have only fulfilled one year. I also absolutely hate my schedule now (working every other weekend and rotating day/midnight). I feel the travel nursing is more flexible- I get to pick nights (my preferred shift) and most are only 36 hours. Why not get paid more and work less?

Side note: I know the minimum is 2 years experience for most travel programs esp icu but I also have met several travel nurses who gave the names of recruiters who are great and can function as my advocate! I know that some travel positions might be a little weary of hiring me because of my limited experience but I am confident that the experience that I have now is going to prepare me for the position I am applying for/interested in. Not looking for positions in a big time city hospital but one that is more suitable.

My question is, what should I do?

Option 1: Pay the $7,000 do some travel nursing? Travel experience is priceless!

Option 2: Forget the travel idea. Fullfill my contract for another year and then quit. Get married and have overly exuberant children and find a job closer to my husband.

Option 3: Don't breach the contract. Travel on the days that I have off.

(Seems expensive)

At the end of the day, my contract is getting harder to fulfill with rotating shifts(day/midnight) and working every other weekend! I didn't have a problem signing up for it when I started and as a complete newcomer, I don't have a say in my schedule! I feel like my life needs a adventure.

I think that travel nursing is actually more fruitful experience personally. But is it economically as well? Will my hourly pay be better when im a traveler? (I'm in the east coast traveling looking to go to Cali) I know travel nursing pay is highly complex. Will my hours/schedule not be as variable? If so, I am strongly considering traveling.

This post sounds like it's in need of a therapist. Thanks in advance for all of your thoughts!

[NedRN]

Company? Like an agency or hospital?

A big teaching hospital should have plenty of transfer oppotunities with a new environment to get you through the next 12 months. Try SICU or neuro.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

It sounds like the OP has already made up her mind and is throwing the question out so we'll all reassure her that breaking her contract is perfectly OK as long as she fulfills her dreams.

Sorry, but no. You signed a two year contract, you owe two years. There are many benefits to traveling, and the opportunity WILL come again. Maybe not until your children are grown, but it will come again. Or, if you simply can't wait that long, delay your wedding.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

It sounds like the OP has already made up her mind and is throwing the question out so we'll all reassure her that breaking her contract is perfectly OK as long as she fulfills her dreams.

Sorry, but no. You signed a two year contract, you owe two years. There are many benefits to traveling, and the opportunity WILL come again. Maybe not until your children are grown, but it will come again. Or, if you simply can't wait that long, delay your wedding.

Pretty soon, people who are willing to sign these type of contracts and honor them will be out of luck because of so many nurses breaking them, the hospitals will stop the practice.

[NedRN]

Those are pretty standard contracts for new grads, especially in a specialty with a long internship.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

I'm willing to sign one of those as an experienced RN to learn a new specialty, and I'd be willing to go 3 years and honor it.

[Swellz]

I feel like you're overthinking this. If you really want to leave and are ok with taking the financial hit and the guilt trip you're going to give yourself, then go. It doesn't matter what other people think as long as you and your fiance are comfortable with the decision.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I feel like you're overthinking this. If you really want to leave and are ok with taking the financial hit and the guilt trip you're going to give yourself, then go. It doesn't matter what other people think as long as you and your fiance are comfortable with the decision.

The OP signed a contract and made a promise to stay two years. Breaking the contract means that the OP's word is worthless, she doesn't keep promises. That has a lot to say about integrity. If signing a contract means "I'll keep my promise as long as I feel like it," that has implications for future contracts she might want to sign.

Even marriage is a legal contract. Does the OP really want to enter into THAT contract with the idea that "I'll keep my vows as long as it's easy"?

[Swellz]

With respect, I have to disagree with you in that I think your view is a little harsh. I agree that if you make a commitment you should keep it. But comparing this to marriage? The totality of someone's integrity is not on the line because they are considering breaking a job contract. But that is just my opinion.

The OP signed a contract and made a promise to stay two years. Breaking the contract means that the OP's word is worthless, she doesn't keep promises. That has a lot to say about integrity. If signing a contract means "I'll keep my promise as long as I feel like it," that has implications for future contracts she might want to sign.

Even marriage is a legal contract. Does the OP really want to enter into THAT contract with the idea that "I'll keep my vows as long as it's easy"?

[wanderlust99]

If it was me, I'd stick with the job and take the 7K I didn't lose and take a long vacation. California road trip or go to Europe. Adventure and one last fun thing for yourself without having to work in what could be a place worse than your current job.

Make a pros and cons list. That always helps me. Also research and know what you will be bringing home as a traveler, are you sure it is double?? It may not be.

[michlynn, BSN, RN]

I would stay and fulfill the contract, $7,000 is a lot of money. If you're that miserable on the floor you're on see if your employer will let you switch to another floor for a year. You won't have as lenient of a schedule as a traveler as you're imagining. I'm still required to work every other weekend and at least 1 summer holiday during my contract. You're working to fulfill the hospital's staffing needs, not to make your own schedule. But if you've already made up your mind then do whatever it is you feel you need to do. I'm not married but I don't really think it'll make a difference whether or not you travel before or after you're married. Good luck!