does it mean I'll have a job?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2011

I have been looking into loan programs thru local hospitals to fund my ADN education and it got me wondering...
If I sign a contract with a local hospital to work x number of years for 4 semesters of tuition, does that mean I automatically have a job offer upon passing the nclex?
sandan rnstudent
ps- if it does, that is probably a great route to go in this economy!

You probably want to double check this, but my understanding of tuition reimbursement does mean that you HAVE to work for them for the set number of years, or you default on what they have paid out for your loans....

studentsara · Aug 10, 2011

The scholarship from our supporting hospital states that for each semester you receive the funds you will give them one year of employment if they so desire, after passing the NCLEX. Should you choose not to work for them, you must repay all those funds within 2 months.

sandanrnstudent · Aug 10, 2011

What does "if they so desire" mean? They can choose not to hire me and they still pay off the loans?

just wondering

sandan rnstudent

hikernurse · Aug 10, 2011

If you have signed the agreement, the corporation will be more invested in finding you a job. It might not be in the department of your first choice, however. At my hospital, recently they were actually letting people out of their contracts (they didn't have to pay them back) because there were no new nursing jobs available.

I would definitely go that route, though. If you like the corporation, it makes a lot of sense. If you move before your requirement is met, you may have to pay back a pro-rated amount, but it's still a good gig :).

mamayogibear · Aug 10, 2011

I don't think it guarantees you a job after you graduate. If it was like that more students would be taking that route. I was under the impression that if you get accepted for funding for school you not only have to apply for jobs there once you graduate but also have to be accepted. These programs work well for people who allready work in the hospital and are trying to advance. I think for a starting out student with no experience there is a lot of room for 'if' to cause problems down the road. Also some hospitals require that you work for them, as in their network which may have a lot of hospitals out of your home are, in which case you might have to relocate. Where I live there are only programs that will pay just tuition and fees for employees who have all ready been there two years, to further their education but nothing for the average student. Bottom line, call or go to the hospital and ask for all the details of the contract. By the way where are you located?

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Aug 10, 2011

It sounds good doesn't it? School paid for and a guaranteed job after graduation. The caveat is that the hospital has to have open "new grad friendly" positions around the time you graduate and they have to choose to hire you for said position (because they do still go through the whole interview process, etc.). Should they choose not to hire you, you are then responsible for paying back the loan even though, technically, its not your fault you are not employed by the hospital.

studentsara · Aug 10, 2011

Obviously it varies from program to program. I am receiving a scholarship through a hospital covering my tuition. I had to apply for this scholarship specifically (i.e. not with the pooled application I also submitted for more general scholarships) and it is only available to one student a semester. I agreed to work for the hospital in an RN position for one year for each year I receive these funds, I need to meet their employment requirements (which I plan to do, it is a great hospital) and should they still not have a job for me, the contract is forgiven.

studentsara · Aug 10, 2011

Correction: The scholarship I am receiving is awarded to 5-10 individuals, my bad! Im glad the hospital thinks so highly of the program I am beginning. :)

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2011

In general, the rule is that you must be employed by a facility, take the courses and pass with a certain average and THEN you get reimbursed. Then you must give the facility x number of years of service after the courses or you must repay the tuition.

There are also some places that (used to) offer to pay for your education if you came to work for them for a certain period after graduation. You sign the contract in advance and if you don't complete the degree or don't work for the company you have to repay the tuition money.

In the current economy and large number of nurses looking for work, the second option almost never happens. Employers don't need to offer to pay for tuition in order to find nurses. There are nurses available by the dozens. So while it might seem like a good option, I highly doubt you will ever find a place that is offering that deal, especially for an ADN nurse.

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Aug 10, 2011

In general, the rule is that you must be employed by a facility, take the courses and pass with a certain average and THEN you get reimbursed. Then you must give the facility x number of years of service after the courses or you must repay the tuition.
There are also some places that (used to) offer to pay for your education if you came to work for them for a certain period after graduation. You sign the contract in advance and if you don't complete the degree or don't work for the company you have to repay the tuition money.
In the current economy and large number of nurses looking for work, the second option almost never happens. Employers don't need to offer to pay for tuition in order to find nurses. There are nurses available by the dozens. So while it might seem like a good option, I highly doubt you will ever find a place that is offering that deal, especially for an ADN nurse.

Even with the amount of nurses in my area, the second option you mentioned is available to every new incoming class in both the generic ADN and LPN-RN transition programs at the school I graduated from. But, like I said, it's still up to the facility if they actually have open positions and if they actually hire the student. Either way, they get an employee or the student has to pay back the loan.

my2girlskk. · Aug 10, 2011

It depends on the terms of the contract. Im currently involved in one with a hospital where I have agreed to work for them 1 yr per 3k they give me. There is no max amount and if they cannot offer me a full time position within 45 days of passing the nclex, then I do not have to pay back any time or money.