What's next??

[Carrie_MTC]

So I've made it through my first year of nursing, and at this point I feel more confused than ever as to what I'm doing with my nursing career. I'm currently working on a med/surg/tele floor, and my contract is up 5/1/2012. While I enjoy where I work, and the people I work with I feel there is not a lot of room for growth. It's a small hospital, and I feel I'm not reaching my full potential, and will never have an opportunity to advance within the facility. I've came to the realization that although I have learned a lot from med/surg/tele it is something I no longer wish to do. The majority of the patients I see are pneumonia, lap choles/appys, and IV drug abusers with cellulitis. I feel like I've learned what there is to learn at the hospital where I work, and it's time to move on. My dilemma is I have no idea what I want to do. My aunt who has been a nurse for nearly 40 years tells me, I need to be in a teaching hospital or traveling. Around the time my contract is up, I will be earning my BSN. I know other people have felt the same, so I'm wondering what choices or advice experienced nurses may have for me. I would feel bad if I accepted a position and then ending up hating the department and quitting, and then burning the bridge with that employer.