Should I use my tuition reimbursement from work to get my RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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So I'm having a financial dilemma and can't decide what school to go to for my RN. I got accepted into an RN school at a community college and they're giving me an 80% discount to be an LPN to RN student. The bad thing about this school is that it's terribly hard for a community college. Option 2 is to go back to the private school I graduated from and do my RN there. It's easier school than the other school but it's expensive and my tuition would be $6200 without this reimbursement. With the rembursement, my tuition will be reduced from $660 per credit to $448 per credit as long as I maintain to work 22.5 hours a week and that shouldn't be a problem since I get 12 hour shifts as a PCA at my hospital. What's bad about using your employers reimbursement? I know that you owe them money if you we're to leave the facility. Is there any other bad things about using reimbursement ? This is a tough decision since I have 4 semesters at the community college and only 3 at the private school. What do you think is better for me?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Tuition reimbursement is definitely important. But I wonder at your perception that one school is "easier" than another.

Has it occurred to you that an "easy" school may make it harder for you to pass NCLEX? After all, graduation from nursing school is relatively unimportant as compared to passing NCLEX. In other words, graduating from the "easy" nursing school will get you nowhere if you are not adequately prepared to take NCLEX.

Think on that. Look at NCLEX pass rates. Make your decision based upon the quality school rather than tuition reimbursement.

Tuition reimbursement is definitely important. But I wonder at your perception that one school is "easier" than another.

Has it occurred to you that an "easy" school may make it harder for you to pass NCLEX? After all, graduation from nursing school is relatively unimportant as compared to passing NCLEX. In other words, graduating from the "easy" nursing school will get you nowhere if you are not adequately prepared to take NCLEX.

Think on that. Look at NCLEX pass rates. Make your decision based upon the quality school rather than tuition reimbursement.

I know no nursing school is easy but the private school is primarily a rigorous nursing school. What makes this school easier is that the lab skills/evaluations are not equally factored in as your exams. The other school I got accepted into can fail you even if you have a 85% in lecture because evaluations need to be finished with a "S" where this private school lab skills are there for a few bonus points. None of the nursing exams are easy in either school but at least with lab skills out the way I can focus on exams only. I've researched both schools for awhile now.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I know no nursing school is easy but the private school is primarily a rigorous nursing school. What makes this school easier is that the lab skills/evaluations are not equally factored in as your exams. The other school I got accepted into can fail you even if you have a 85% in lecture because evaluations need to be finished with a "S" where this private school lab skills are there for a few bonus points. None of the nursing exams are easy in either school but at least with lab skills out the way I can focus on exams only. I've researched both schools for awhile now.

Why do you think that lab skills are of lesser importance?

Because I've picked up on them being a PCA. A lot of skills I learned better on the job. It's easier to have one less thing to worry about when your're in school.

Specializes in PACU.
Because I've picked up on them being a PCA. A lot of skills I learned better on the job. It's easier to have one less thing to worry about when your're in school.

If that's the case then I would think of the labs as being easy points that help keep your grades up.

The other thing I would look as is the time commitment you need to make to your hospital when deciding if you want their tuition assistance. If you love working there and plan to stay anyway, I'd let them help. If they are just a stepping stone to better things, then I wouldn't.

I don't like the way some lab skills are setup. It's just easier to know skills when you don't have someone breathing down your neck. I was actually thinking of leaving once I had my BSN but I also need the cash to get that degree.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Why are you so wrapped up in the skills lab?

You have time to practice and "learn" the way the school needs you to.

I think you are putting too much into the skills lab component vs the program and the option to basically be debt free...

We'll, I also forgot to mention the commute time. 10 minutes to the private school but 45 minutes if I want to go the community college way. 45 minutes 4 or 5 times a week plus work and lab skills, it just all adds up you know?

I agree with the other poster that you're putting too much weight into lab sessions. That's not what will make you a good nurse. This would be my order of importance for considerations:

1) NCLEX pass rates

2) Clinical rotation set up-- number of hours required, structure (1:1 precepting vs 8 students:1 instructor), spots/availability of clinical sites

3) Cost and length of program (the salary forgone by the extra semester in school counts)

You mention transportation. I don't know if that will be much of a factor, depending on the program's structure. In my senior year, I only spent 2 mornings/week in didactic lectures, the rest were spent commuting to clinical sites. You may find yourself spending less time in the school itself than you realize.

Specializes in PACU.
We'll, I also forgot to mention the commute time. 10 minutes to the private school but 45 minutes if I want to go the community college way. 45 minutes 4 or 5 times a week plus work and lab skills, it just all adds up you know?

I was an LPN for 20+ years, I finally went back to school for my RN, I commuted an hour for classes, labs and precepting and an hour and half for my third semester clinical. I was driving through a mountain canyon and during the winter it sometimes took me almost two hours to get home. (this was after a 12 hour shift 4pm to 4am in the ICU precepting, to sleep and turn around and go back)

I just kept telling myself I can do anything for 16 weeks... 15 weeks... 14 weeks (and started again the next semester). I could have waited another semester and done it all online without the commute, but I knew the classroom was what I needed to be successful.

But it sounds to me like you've already made a pro and con list and maybe have made up your mind. Only you have the information and understand the priorities you place on each piece to make this decision. Either way you'll be able to sit for your NCLEX at the end and obtain your RN. :yes:

Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

You work as a PCA but you are a LPN? Please clarify or did I missunderstand?

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