New RN

Any experience will benefit you in the long run

My first question to you would be: How easy and quickly do you think it would be to land a job in pediatrics? If you think you can get a peds job elsewhere in a month or two, then I would say pass up this med-surg. If not, then I would say stick with the med-surg gig you've been offered.

Another question: Are they making you sign a contract? I'm sorry they're forcing you to stay two years. I think that is pretty whack, personally, but I also understand from their perspective. After a year, you could always just apply to a peds position elsewhere and break the contract, but I don't know how well that will bode for you in the referral area.

It's hard to get a job in pediatrics in Georgia. It's an internship so after the 12 weeks you have to commit to stay 2 years with them. I hate breaking the contract because it's probably going to affect me in the long run. Have you done Med-Surg? It was a hard rotation at school for sure!

Internships with a 2-year commitment are not at all uncommon in my neck of the woods. In most instances, this is the only way to ensure funding for the program because the organizational decision-makers are not at all keen on using up financial resources only to lose that newly trained nurse to a competitor.

The contracts I have seen will impose an amortized pay-back if you break the contract. Some organizations are very aggressive about collecting the amount owed, and will definitely 1099 you even if they don't collect. This can result in a large IRS 'ding'.... so buyer beware.

If you can't do the time don't take their dime.