New grad Rn on contract but want to leave

[RNBSN1021]

Hello all,

I am a new grad RN who finished school in November. I've been working on a Med surg/ tele floor for a small hospital since January.

I received a general orientation and 3.5 weeks of preceptorship. Since then I've been given my own patients with a "resource". Which technically means I'm on my own because my resource is never around to assist me. I don't feel safe. Not to mention on some days of the 8 or so nurses on the floor 5 of us are new grads. Like I said I feel unsafe, unprepared, and miserable. I've learned that I do not like Med surg/tele.

I'm posting here because I would like some feedback.

I was offered a position at a clinic as a RN case manager to help assist with a new drug therapy program to help individuals of the community and are willing to train me.

This is something I truly have a passion for, considering that my prior experience before nursing has always involved community work and behavioral work as well ( I Also have a BA in psychology).

I really want to take this new position however I'm afraid to do so because of others comments on sticking to bedside for at least a year. I feel it will look bad on me to not have the bedside experience.

Another caveat, is that unfortunately I signed a 2 yr contract with this hospital of 14k which I will have to pay a prorated fee if I do leave.

Two other new grads that started two months before me have already quit. Many nurses of the hospital have told me that many people have left before the two years and have not paid.

My question is... should I take this position and talk to my current employer about leaving? Or suck it up at my current job despite how much I dislike it and feel unprepared?

edit: I'd also like to add that I'm doing Hospice as well and plan to continue to do so.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

You could always ask your employer about breaking your contract. However, they are not obligated to let you off the financial hook in any way. But by talking to them, you may be able to work something out: maybe an internal transfer, going part-time or per-diem, reducing what you have to pay back, etc.

Also, just because other nurses quit on their contracts and didn't pay doesn't mean that the hospital won't come after YOU for what you legally owe them. They retain the right to do that if they choose to. The question is, is that a risk you are willing to take?